On the new California Hall of Fame: There are so many extraordinary individuals who come from California — we want to tell their stories. We want to make our hall of fame as famous as the baseball or rock 'n' roll ones. Inductions will be annual. This year, we have Cesar Chavez, Alice Walker, Sally Ride, Billie Jean King — I've known her my entire life and I'm a fan of her forthright nature.

On Sacramento: There's no governor's mansion, so I live much of the time in L.A. But I like Sacramento. Some people say it's a cow town, but I've found it to be a great community. I like the Crocker Art Museum, in a beautiful old house near the capitol. I'm also a fan of the Mondavi Center in Davis.

East vs. West: I was born in Chicago, moved to Washington, D.C., crisscrossed back and forth to Massachusetts. But I've lived in California longer than anywhere else now. I like the freedom here, the ability to do your own thing.

On relaxing: When do I get time to relax? Last year I did the Best Buddies charity bike ride through Big Sur. When I was riding, I was thinking: People come here, they paint, they walk on the beach. I should get a place here.

On California's image: People make fun of what we're doing in California. I think the hall of fame will change that. You can't look at Sally Ride or Billie Jean King and think they're airheads.

The California Hall of Fame is now open at the California Museum for History, Women and the Arts (1020 O St., Sacramento; 916/653-7524).