Which of these is NOT one of the 13 original colonies?

California is not one of the 13 original colonies established during the early American colonial period. The original colonies were predominantly located along the East Coast of what is now the United States and were founded by European settlers seeking new opportunities, religious freedom, and trade.

In contrast, New Jersey, Virginia, and Massachusetts were all part of the original 13 colonies. New Jersey was established as a colony in the 17th century, Virginia was one of the first colonies founded in 1607, and Massachusetts, known for the Pilgrims' settlement at Plymouth, played a significant role in early American history. California, on the other hand, gained statehood much later, in 1850, after having been part of Mexico. This timeline illustrates why California does not belong to the original group of colonies.