1. Surfing The Waves Of The Pacific
Even if you’re not a big surfer (or are too scared to pop up), just watching surfers on one of California’s many beaches is a fantastic way to pass the time while you work on your tan. We love the sun, but we also love…
2. Literally Chilling In The A/C
There’s not a Californian alive that can survive without air conditioning and anyone who says otherwise is a liar.
While some of the coastal cities like San Francisco make do with temperate climates, everyone puts that a/c on blast driving inland. In fact, some cool off by…
3. Visiting The Snow Capped The Mountains Just A Couple Hours Away
California is one of those weird places where you can be surfing in the morning and snowboarding in the evening.
The many climates of this massive state lends itself to a plethora of outdoor sports including skiing and snowboarding—the only time most Californians will even see snow.
4. Driving From L.A. To Vegas, Baby
When Californians need to blow off steam for a quick weekend nothing beats the road trip to Vegas. Heck there was a whole Vince Vaughn movie about it.
But Vegas isn’t the only way Californians escape to the desert. There’s always…
5. Getting Naked At Burning Man
The annual desert art fest is an open (and we mean open) place for hippie values of community, peace, love, and lots of drugs. And nakedness. It just doesn’t bother us that much out here. And it’s probably not shocking considering Californians love…
6. Partying At All The Pride Festivals
There are so many Pride Parades in California, the whole summer turns into one big party for self-expression, love, unity and of course pride.
While the Pride parades and festivals are certainly still political spaces for the LGBT community, plenty of straight allies, family and friends make it out to show their support and drink some overpriced beer.
7. Hating On Smoking (And Feeling Superior About It)
Not only have Californians pretty much outlawed all places for cigarette smoking, you will be socially shamed for it, too.
Perhaps all those anti-smoking feelings come from living in such a crowded state but whatever the reason, you better be ready to stand on a curb at least 20 feet from any door and at least four blocks away from all children, elderly people, and women who cough pointedly when you light up.
Unless of course you’re….
8. Lighting Up A Legal Joint
For some reason, California is like, totally cool, man with medical marijuana. Though still illegal federally and only approved by the state for medicinal consumption, pot lovers are far more accepted in California than regular smokers.
9. Shiny New Tech Toys (And Standing In Line For Hours To Get it)
California is the home of Silicon Valley, where companies like Apple and Google got their start. And we just love waiting in line for brand new toys.
Forget fancy cars, the latest smartphone is the status symbol where good signal is king. Speaking of…
10. Finding Free Wi-Fi Is A State Pastime And A Great Conversation Starter
OK, in most places, this isn’t even an issue anymore, but there’s nothing like walking into a place and getting that little antennae signal popping up on your phone. Home is where the Wi-Fi is after all.
11. Picking Up Dates On Tindr. Or Grindr. Or Facebook. Or…
California is networked like no other state for obvious tech industry reasons. Find a job on LinkedIn, post a photo of sunset in Santa Barbara on Instagram, tweet from Tahoe, and rate your latest and greatest restaurant find on Yelp. Speaking of…
12. Hole In The Wall Restaurants And Food Trucks
California is home to many of the best restaurants in the country, like the French Laundry and Chez Panisse, but for those of us who can’t afford that check, finding that tiny spot that makes amazing pho or banh mi is like hitting the mother lode of flavor.
We love nothing more than to brag about our latest taco truck adventure or knowing the best pizza joint along 101. But of course…
13. NorCal vs SoCal Rivalry
Who has worse traffic? Better freeways? Better weather? Cheaper housing? Is “hella” the worst thing to ever happen to the english language or are you just hella uptight?
All are debated strongly but nothing fires up the old rivalry like fighting about who has better Mexican food.
As much as a Northern Californian with a love of the Mission style burrito, I hate to admit how much better the food gets the closer to the border you are. Speaking of which...
14. Jerry Brown May Be Governor But Mexican Food Is King
Just about every restaurant in California will make some attempt at a Mexican dish (and probably ruin it) because we just love it too much.
Here, it’s as widespread as pizza or hamburgers. But where to get the best Mexican food is a major point of contention. Ask any Californian where to get the best food and they will have an opinion and it will be a strong one.
When in SoCal try Mexicali Tacos & Co., you’ll thank me. Same goes for Papalote Mexican Grill in NorCal.
15. Bragging About Being A California Native
California has a lot of migrants from other parts of the country and immigrants from all over, so native Californians take some pride in bragging about how they were born and raised in the Golden State.
16. Having Shameless Coffee Addiction
What do you call someone in California without a to-go cup of coffee? A tourist. OK that joke was awful, but true.
Sure Seattle started Starbucks, but it wasn't until it hit the California boarder that it went from
rom a novelty import to as ubiquitous as McDonald’s.
As if a Starbucks on every weren’t enough to satiate our coffee lust, our state has our own coffeehouses from bigger chains like Peet’s and Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf to more local spots like the fantastic Blue Bottle and Philz.
And like Mexican food restaurants, every Californian has their favorite coffee shop.
17. And Drinking IPAs By The Pint-full
If you’re a brewery in California you have to have at least one India pale ale on your menu. It’s practically the law.
You may even here this popular refrain, “No seriously brah, this one’s so hoppy it will turn your face inside out.” And yes, that’s a good thing.
The darker and the hoppier the better for Californians who just love bragging about the new microbrewery that does this amazing IPA. (F.Y.I. the best I.P.A. are Alimony Ale from Buffalo Bills in Hayward, and Lagunita’s IPA in Petaluma)
18. And Tasting Wine In Napa
If we’re honest, wine tasting is just a fancy way to get day-drunk while enjoying the stunning Napa Valley.
For a unique tasting experience swing by the Del Dotto Caves Winery & caves in Saint Helena.
And don’t miss the chance to sip on NV Risque French from Sparkling Wine Toads Hollow Vineyards in Healdsburg
Pro Tip: While you’re in Healdsburg stop in at Bear Republic Brewing Co. for a Black & Blue Burger (literally the best burger I have ever had) to soak up some of that vino.
When its time leave the Napa valley hop in the car with your designated driver and thank them profusely for being such a good sport about driving you out of Napa because traffic in California is horrible. Which is why Californians are so relieved when…
19. When Google Maps Has Green Freeways
If you commute in California, you know what it is to love to hate the traffic function on google maps (which you check religiously on that smartphone you stood in line all night for.)
So when you see you highway all light up in green—meaning o traffic or at least traffic that is not backed up—you know what you are experiencing is a small miracle. No tiny little breakdown on the Bay Bridge has left thousands crawling across 80 East.
Meanwhile in Los Angeles, the traffic is so bad they have a whole dialect for talking about traffic.
20. Hugging Trees. Literally.
Going green in California is just part of what we do. Businesses will go out of their way to promote how eco-friendly they are and cities ban plastic shopping bags to reduce waste.
California is also home to environmental activists dedicated to preserving the redwoods, who have been known to give these residents of the ancient forest a friendly squeeze or two.
21. Treating Every Day Like It’s Casual Friday
Jeans and flip flops are the standard uniform of the young college kids on one of the state’s many campuses, and even the regular wear of some tech giants in SF, Silicon Valley and L.A.
We look for any excuse to wear yoga pants and look like we’re off to the gym because we just love…
22. Going To The Gym
I mean, most of the time we’re just telling people we work out even though everyone knows we’re lying but gyms are an important part of the California lifestyle that tries to stay healthy and smokin’ hot.
And we’re always at the forefront of some new exercise trend whether it’s yoga or P90X. I blame Hollywood.
23. Complaining About Housing Costs
It’s frackin’ expensive to live here, so when we run out of small talk about traffic and tacos we naturally turn to how much housing has gone up.
In some places, like SF, the rise has been dramatic. Everyone’s got a story about that awful roommate/basement/studio above the bar that they used to live in but it was only $1000/month! What a steal!
24. Heading To Tijuana For Spring Break
Say what you will about the border town but Tijuana is where Californian kids (i.e. anyone not old enough to head to Vegas) go to blow off steam during their spring semester.
I’m sure it has everything to do with the rich Mexican culture and nothing to do with a legal drinking age of 18. Nope.
25. Getting Outdoors
Californians will use any excuse to get outside, even if it’s just to sit out by the communal pool of their apartment complexes.
But with places Yosemite, The Avenue of Giants, Monterey Beach, Glacier Point, the lava tube caves under Tulelake, swimming at Big Bear, and of course miles and miles of beach—plus all that famous California sunshine… who the heck wants to stay inside?
26. Being Vegetarian or Vegan (And Being Self-Righteous About it)
At some point we all went through a phase of swearing off meat. Until we found the paleo diet. And whatever fad diet comes after that….
Whatever we’re doing, Californians are constantly trying to eat correctly and move from one lifestyle change to the next.
To be fair though Vegetarianism and Veganism has had lasting power, whether for health, ethical or religious purposes, swearing off meat is here to stay in the Golden State. Which means theres no shortage of amazing vegetarian restaurants here.
In Northern California, you’ll want to head straight to Souley Vegan for the gluten-free Southern-fried tofu and spicy gumbo.
In SoCal, swing by Native Foods Cafe for the Bistro Steak Sandwich and wash it down with a glass of Lavender Lemonade.
27. Songs About California
“California Dreamin’” by The Mamas & The Papas“California Love” by Dr. Dre, Tupac & Roger Trootman“California” by Joni Mitchell”“California Girls” by The Beach Boys“California English” by Vampire Weekend“Hotel California” by The Eagles“Californication” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers
Are you sensing a pattern here?
We take a lot of pride in our state and being from here so everyone has their favorite California song whether it’s classic rock, pop, punk, or rap.
28. Telling You Not To Call It Cali
We just love to get defensive about the proper vocabulary for our state. Southern California on its own has a whole complex system of neighborhoods, cities, acronyms and area codes to tell people where they’re from.
NorCal and SoCal are just fine, if you want to get regional about it.
And in San Francisco its S.F. or The City if you must shorten it but never, ever, under any circumstance should you call it ’Frisco. Shudder.
But most important of all: Just remember, it’s California not Cali.
Feature Image Source: Source: Flickr user cezzie901 
