Final answer:
To travel from western California to China, going west across the Pacific Ocean would be the quicker route due to the shorter distance over the ocean, influenced by geographic location.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you were in western California and wanted to get to China, it would generally be quicker to travel west across the Pacific Ocean rather than east. Given that the Earth is a sphere, the distance between two points is not the same in all directions. California and China are both located in the Northern Hemisphere, with the Pacific Ocean lying between them. A direct flight or sea route going west from California across the Pacific Ocean would be the most straightforward and shortest path to reach China.
Geographic location plays a crucial role in migration patterns and travel routes. The historical context of the Gold Rush era saw many Chinese immigrants entering through California due to the proximity across the Pacific. Meanwhile, European immigrants typically entered through New York as it was closer to Europe across the Atlantic.
Remember that the specific answer to the question of direction can vary based on the exact locations within China and California and the available transportation routes.