I am a Native Californian. I was born and raised in Riverside. I've lived in Riverside, Pomona, South Pasadena, Glendale and Fontana. Except for my first 4 semesters of college, I have lived in this state my entire life. However, I have visited or driven through 36 out of 50 states, plus been to England, Japan and visited several of the Caribbean Islands not to mention living in Missouri for those college years. This is not to say I am, in anyway, a worldly traveler or expert on the world, but it does show that I have seen a wide range of places and seen how different people live in different parts of our country and world.
All that being said, I really wish people would stop talking trash about my home state. The vitriolic crap said about California drivers, California "problems", or how bad things happen "Only in California", is frankly a bunch of bullshit. Did I miss the news report showing that the other 49 states were crime free, debt free and the economy was only bad in California? No? You mean the ENTIRE country is hurting economically? Hmmmmm... interesting.
No, California is in no way perfect. Yes, California can be a very difficult place to live, I don't deny any of this, but it's not as awful as some people say- and the ones that really get me, are the "Californians" that leave the state and then talk trash about "Californians". If you hate my state, leave. That's ok and no skin off my nose. If somewhere else makes you happy, go. But chances are, if you are unhappy now, you'll be unhappy then- happiness comes from within.
I've seen drivers elsewhere and honestly, they're just as bad. Why we all think driving is something EVERYONE should do and be good at, is beyond me, but that's another rant. People talk about "Californian" as a whole, but I dare you to call a Southern Californian "Northern Californian" and there could be trouble. NEVER call a Central Californian anything other than Central Californian,ever. Most people put California in to one big lump, but the truth of the matter is California is the 3rd largest state in the union, has over 37 MILLION people living here and is 163,965 square miles of varied topography. There is more to California than San Francisco and Los Angeles. Where I live I can ski and surf all in one day (if I knew how). We have mountains, deserts, beaches, forests, valleys, rivers, lakes and it takes approx 1,028 miles and 19 hours to drive from the southern most part to the northern most.
There are so many beautiful and amazing things to see and do here. There are also some of the most amazing people I've ever met here, too. Guess what? It's not so bad, but I also know, having driven cross country, both directions, up and across, our country is GORGEOUS. Each state has its wonders and each is unique; as are the people and cultures and traditions. But I also know the there are assholes EVERYWHERE too, and that is a foible of humanity not geography. We all have stereotypes and they exist for a reason, just don't forget they are stereotypes not rules. Come visit, come see my state (the southern part anyway, come stay with me and we'll have a good time, I promise. We have Hollywood, Vineyards, Disneyland (The Original), baseball, football (up north), basketball, college sports, snow sports, ocean sports, casinos, National Forests, In-n-Out, Del Taco, Breweries and so much more. I only ask that, when I'm headed your way one day, you return the favor and show me your home state and what makes it special.
The Golden State may not shine like it once did, but I think with some elbow grease and time we can shine again, but it won't unless people who love it are willing to work for it and proclaim their love for her.
