“California Dreamin.”

It was a song by the Mamas and Papas in 1965, and peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100.

But do you remember watching those Phillies, Sixers and Flyers games from the West Coast? To me, it was also special to watch those late-night games. California was always a “dream” place to visit, and it still was when I finally did.

Besides sports, there’s also the “Hollywood” sign on a hill, and those TV beach scenes from the Golden State.

In this week’s version of my Yesterday column — reminiscing about sports and pop culture in the 1960s, 70s, 80s, and sometimes before and beyond — I’ll take a look at California themes in sports and pop culture.

Also ... what California city was the host for the “Dirty Harry” movie series, who was the wrestler that later called his opponents “pencil neck geeks?” Who was the California-based person that developed a plastic ‘saucer’ that became a renowned outdoor toy? Did the Phillies ever have a California minor league team?

And, do you remember Dick Selma?

Some Late Nights ... During the school year, there were Friday and Saturday nights when you got to watch the Dodgers (fabled Chavez Ravine), Giants (and 49ers from Candlestick Park) and Padres (and Chargers from Jack Murphy Stadium) on Channels 17 and 29. And the Sunday starts were at 4 p.m.

Like me, maybe some of you were able to watch the Mets on Channel 9 and the Yankees on Channel 11 (I always liked to watch the Angels and the A’s games).

There also were the Sixers and Flyers games from LA’s “Fabulous Forum” where there seemed to be gold colors all around with the distant camera angle. Besides the Kings, with their gold and purple, I looked forward to watching the California Golden Seals with their green and gold uniforms.

There also were the San Francisco Warriors in the Cow Palace, and how many of you remember watching the San Diego Rockets in the San Diego Sports Arena? In addition, you had the Eagles games from the L.A. Coliseum.

Along with the pro games, there were the UCLA games from Pauley Pavilion.

If you happened to watch the Nets back in the 70s, you may have caught a Utah Stars or San Diego Conquistadors game.

As you got older, you tried to stay up for the end of games.

Hear and See ... Over the years, we can recall some familiar songs with California in the title.

Some grayhairs will remember “California, Here I Come,” while most of us can always sing a few lines of the Beach Boys’ “California Girls,” the Eagles’ “Hotel California,” the Doors’ “LA Woman,” or Journey’s “Lights” in our heads. I have to throw in Tony Bennett’s timeless classic, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.”

On the big screen, Clint Eastwood’s “Dirty Harry” series was filmed in San Francisco, and don’t forget “Beverly Hills Cop.”

On the smaller screen, we may have watched “The Streets of San Francisco,” “CHIPS,” “The Beverly Hillbillies,” “LA Law,” and possibly “City of Angels.”

California Collectibles ... As a kid, we all had our share of items that were created in the Golden State. Here are a few that you should remember:

In 1947, George Morrison polled Santa Monica beach goers if they would play with a rounded piece of plastic on the beach. He actually had the idea 10 years later when he was tossing around the top of a popcorn tin at Thanksgiving dinner.

Thus, the “Frisbee” was born.

A few years later, California-based Mattel developed a beach-based doll named “Barbie,” and the legend began.

In 1958, two University of Southern California professors formed the “Wham-O” company and created the Hula Hoop.

Two years later in 1960, Robert Carrier — a California upholsterer — saw his son and friends sliding down a patch of painted concrete. He brought home a piece of Naugahyde and placed it in his driveway for his son and friends to play. Carrier later approached Wham-O about creating a slide with it, and “Slip and Slide” was formed.

And in 1970, Mattel — who developed a number of toys during our time — unveiled “Hot Wheels,” which probably was one of our staples, especially with the plastic orange track. Mattel also unveiled “Sizzlers,” which was a motorized set that we may have forgotten.

Go West, Young Phillies ... How many of you remember the Phillies having a California-based minor-league team? Well, they did in Bakersfield from 1958-67. Overall, it wasn’t an overly successful run there.

Paul Owens managed the “C” California League team in 1959 and 1960, and Pat Corrales, Danny Cater and Dennis Bennett — who had a 13-13 record — were on the team. In both years, the team qualified for the playoffs, but they were eliminated.

Rick Wise, Grant Jackson, Gary Wagner, Billy Wilson and Johnny Briggs were on the 1964 team that went 78-62. Wagner went 15-13, Jackson was 12-9, and Briggs hit .297 with 21 homers and 93 RBIs.

In their final year in 1967, Joe Lis hit 33 homers and drove in 90 runs. Larry Bowa appeared in seven games and hit .188, and future Yankees manager Stump Merrill hit. 254 in 29 games. Pat Bayless, who had some good years at Reading but never made it to the majors, topped the staff with an 18-8 record.

Consumer and Consumed ... Over the years, California also brought numerous products we have worn and eaten.

Some we likely have used are bell bottoms, tie-dyed shirts and jeans, crock pots and how about those platform shoes?

On the food side, how often have you tried Hostess products — Zingers are my favorite — Ambrosia salad, Hamburger Helper, and of course, Rice-A Roni, the San Francisco treat.

WWWF/WWE Wrap ... Each column, I’ll look back at a former wrestler who we may remember from our youth.

Do you remember “Classy” Freddie Blassie? He was a California-based wrestler who was recognized for his “pencil neck geek” phrase about his opponents.

When Blassie returned from World War II, he began wrestling in New York as “Sailor” Freddie Blassie, and then moved to the NWA in Los Angeles in 1953. Blassie had a brief stint in Georgia, before he returned to Los Angeles and began being billed as “The Vampire” for biting his opponents and sharpening his teeth.

Blassie had a short stay in Japan and then began in the 1960s, and had feuds with Bobo Brazil and Bruno Sammartino. In the early 70s, Blassie had several bouts with Pedro Morales for the WWWF title. At that time, he was managed by Captain Lou Albano.

He held the titles of heavyweight champion and a tag-team champion in both the NWA and WWA. Overall, Blassie had a record of 889-555-232 over a 50-year career that ended in 1985 when he lost a steel-cage match to Albano. “The Hollywood Fashion Plate” was noted for the stomach claw, nerve pinch and southern backbreaker.

In the mid-70s, Blassie retired and started his managing career. Among his clients were The Iron Sheik, Blackjack Mulligan, George “The Animal” Steele, Professor Taru Tanaka and Mr. Fuji, Nikolai Volkoff, and he introduced California strongman Hulk Hogan in 1980. Blassie also managed Muhammed Ali in his boxer/wrestler match against Antonio Inoki in Japan.

When he retired in 1986, Blassie briefly served as a color commentator. He was inducted into the WWF Hall of Fame in 1994. His book, “Listen, You Pencil Neck Geeks” was released in May 2003.

A month later, Blassie passed away due to heart and kidney failure at the age of 85.

Memory Lane ... Every column, I’ll look back at a former player, manager, coach or media personality from our yesterday.

Do you remember former Phillies’ pitcher Dick Selma? He spent four of his 10 years with the Phillies, and also had a single season with the Angels.

Selma compiled an overall 11-21 record, and a 3.93 ERA with 26 saves in 142 games from 1970-73 after he was acquired along with Oscar Gamble from the Cubs in November 1969 for Johnny Callison and Larry Colton.

After the 1973 season, Selma was released by the Phillies and signed by the Angels, where he went 2-2 with a 5.09 ERA and a save in 18 games. Selma finished the season with the Brewers. In addition, Selma spent four seasons with the Mets.

Overall, Selma was 42-51 with a 3.62 ERA and 31 saves in 307 games. He passed away in 2001 at the age of 57.

Your thoughts are always welcomed; email them to tnsports@tnonline.com