Final answer:
The Okies moved to the Pacific Coast due to the Dust Bowl's destruction of agriculture in Oklahoma and the lure of the California Gold Rush promising instant wealth.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Okies moved to the Pacific Coast primarily due to the severe agricultural crisis known as the Dust Bowl. The combination of drought and poor land management practices resulted in a catastrophic failure of the crops, leading to the displacement of about 800,000 farmers and those dependent on farming. Most were attracted to the West because of rumors of plentiful jobs in California, despite the actual scarcity of employment opportunities and rising tensions with the local workforce.
Another compelling reason for the mass exodus to the Pacific Coast was the fantasy of instant wealth brought about by the California Gold Rush. This historic event triggered a migration frenzy, as settlers from various regions, including the Great Plains, and countries pursued the prospect of striking it rich in the newfound goldfields of California.