Trend data on college-going rates in California are examined, with attention to statewide high school graduation and college-going trends, and participation rates for the University of California, California State University, California community colleges, and independent colleges and universities. The trend data cover 1974-1985 for the state colleges and 1977-1985 for the private colleges. Data are also provided on differences in enrollment rates by sector for 58 California counties for 1974-1985, and sex and ethnic differences in participation rates for each sector by county. It was found that the percentage of recent high school graduates enrolling as freshmen in California colleges and universities declined from approximately 60% in 1977 to 54% in 1985. The percentage enrolling in California's community colleges dropped from 43.3% to 33.0%, while the percentage attending accredited independent colleges declined slightly from 3.6% to 3.0%. In contrast, the enrollment increased at the University of California (5.2% to 7.7%) and the California State University (8.0% to 10.0%). (SW)