Fact check: When was the last time gasoline was $3.74 in California

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, none of the sources contain specific information about when gasoline was last priced at $3.74 in California ^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]}. The sources do provide valuable context about California gasoline pricing:

• Historical data on California gasoline prices from 2000 to 2025 is available, but without the specific $3.74 price point being identified ^[1]
• Current average prices for different California cities are provided, but none match the $3.74 figure ^[2]
• One source notes that Oregon currently has a gasoline price of $3.74, but this does not address California's pricing history ^[6]
• Recent trends show that California gas prices are 20 cents lower than one month ago and 17 cents lower than one year ago ^[4]

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks important context that would help provide a complete answer:

• No timeframe specification: The question doesn't indicate whether the inquirer is asking about recent history, long-term trends, or a specific period
• Regional variations ignored: California has significant regional price differences across cities, but the question treats the state as having uniform pricing ^[2]
• Price volatility factors: The analyses mention that gas prices are currently rising ^[5], but don't explain the underlying market forces that cause price fluctuations
• Comparative context missing: While one source mentions Oregon's current $3.74 price ^[6], there's no broader regional comparison to understand California's pricing relative to other states

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question, while not containing explicit misinformation, may reflect several problematic assumptions:

• Oversimplification of pricing: The question assumes California has a single, uniform gas price when reality shows significant variation across different cities ^[2]
• Lack of specificity: Without defining what type of gasoline (regular, premium, etc.) or which region of California, the question cannot be accurately answered
• Potential cherry-picking: The specific price of $3.74 may have been selected to make a political or economic point, especially given that sources reference "claims swirling on California gas prices" in official government fact-checking contexts ^[4]

The question appears to seek a definitive historical date that the available data cannot provide, suggesting either insufficient research or an attempt to establish a narrative without proper factual foundation.