It could be about a story that took place in California and is based on real - life events. Maybe it's a movie, a book, or some other form of media that uses real - world California - related experiences as its foundation.
A movie about the gold rush in California. The gold rush was a real event and many stories could be told about the people who flocked there in search of gold.
Yes, '1408' is based on a true story. The story was inspired by a Stephen King short story of the same name. It's about a man who stays in a supposedly haunted hotel room, Room 1408, and experiences terrifying and inexplicable events.
Well, it's a bit of a mix. While it may be inspired by some true elements from 1899 such as the general state of the world, sea travel, and social hierarchies at that time, it also has a lot of fictional elements added for the sake of drama and mystery. For example, the overarching mystery plot might be a creative take on some historical uncertainties, but not directly based on a single true story.
In many cases, 'True Story' is indeed drawn from actual happenings. The creators might take some artistic liberties, but the core elements are rooted in truth.