FILE - This Tuesday, March 16, 2021, file photo shows a sign advertising a restaurant opening, in Santa Monica, Calif. California has added 119.600 new jobs in March. It's the second straight month of growth following a year of enormous losses and inconsistent gains during the pandemic. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
By ADAM BEAM
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California employers added 119,600 new jobs in March, the second straight month of growth following a topsy-turvy year of enormous losses and inconsistent gains during an unpredictable pandemic.New unemployment claims, both for traditional employees and independent contractors, are at their lowest levels since the pandemic began more than a year ago.Restaurants and hotels, which have weathered heavy losses during a year of stay-at-home orders, accounted for more than half of the 260,600 jobs added in the state since February. Experts said Friday that's a sign the world's fifth-largest economy is exiting the pandemic-induced recession and entering what is likely to be a prolonged recovery.“This healthy job number heralds the begin
