Ah…memories of growing up in Northern California. Those long summer days playing outside until our names were called when the streetlights came on. Jumping in lakes, rivers, and pools to beat the heat. Watching the sun set over the Pacific. Growing up in Northern California is a treat but there are some rather, well, interesting side effects to the experience, including…
- You roll your eyes when you hear people from other states complain about gas prices.
Flickr/ ekornblut Holy Moly is it expensive in Northern California to fill up a gas tank. It’s a wonder that we aren’t all driving electric vehicles by now.
- You avoid rush hour on I-5, I-80, and pretty much all other highways like the plague.
Flickr/ Robert Couse-Baker While there are a lot of rural roads in Northern California without a soul in sight, our more popular roads are just plain chaos during peak travel times.
- You have a preference for scenic backroads.
Flickr/ Mike Senese Not only are you less likely to have to plan for traffic, but you get to soak in the unparalleled beauty of Northern California as you drive.
- You know what grapes straight off the vine taste like…
Flickr/ Justin Kern And if they were wine grapes that you tried, you know you prefer them as a fermented, alcoholic beverage, thank you very much.
- And you are constantly informing people that there is more to the entire region of Northern California than just the Bay Area.
Flickr/ docentjoyce You might feel like a broken record, but if you have one more person assume you live in Silicon Valley or San Francisco, you might hurl.
- You’re open to new and interesting foods.
Flickr/ David Wright There’s no shortage of diverse, yummy flavors to try or new restaurants to add to your bucket list. Whether it’s classic fare or something you’ve never had before, practically every region of Northern California has some place that is already making your mouth water just thinking about it.
- But you know there’s no better place than Northern California for farm to fork fare.
Flickr/ Zach Zupancic Whether you cook it up yourself or eat out, there’s absolutely nothing better than Northern California fresh and local produce. You were spoiled here when you developed a taste for it and now nothing can compare.
- You still think it’s normal for kids to play outside until dinner time.
Flickr/ Melissa From the beaches to the forests to the mountains, there’s so much for a young person to explore. Do them a favor and let them tucker themselves out before you let them back inside the house, especially during the summer!
- You have an undeniable preference for the West Coast.
Flickr/ Bureau of Land Management West Coast, Best Coast, am I right? Sometimes we talk a little slower out west and, especially in our region out west, might move at a more relaxed pace. Anyone who doesn’t prefer it that way is welcome to head back east or move to the city, as far as we care.
- When we hear the word home, we can’t help think of Northern California.
Flickr/ Justin Kern We’re proud to be from here, and that’s just a fact. We like its stunning sunsets, friendly people, and small town way of life.
- Even when Northern California’s quirkier true colors shine through, we always find ourselves coming home again.
Flickr/ Carole Waller Because aside from the beautiful scenery, opportunities for outdoor recreation, and great livelihoods, it’s the fun-loving people we hold dear to our hearts, too.
We were certainly lucky growing up in Northern California but, if you’ve just moved here or are thinking about it, here are 11 Things You Quickly Learn When You Move To Northern California.
Flickr/ ekornblut
Holy Moly is it expensive in Northern California to fill up a gas tank. It’s a wonder that we aren’t all driving electric vehicles by now.
Flickr/ Robert Couse-Baker
While there are a lot of rural roads in Northern California without a soul in sight, our more popular roads are just plain chaos during peak travel times.
Flickr/ Mike Senese
Not only are you less likely to have to plan for traffic, but you get to soak in the unparalleled beauty of Northern California as you drive.
Flickr/ Justin Kern
And if they were wine grapes that you tried, you know you prefer them as a fermented, alcoholic beverage, thank you very much.
Flickr/ docentjoyce
You might feel like a broken record, but if you have one more person assume you live in Silicon Valley or San Francisco, you might hurl.
Flickr/ David Wright
There’s no shortage of diverse, yummy flavors to try or new restaurants to add to your bucket list. Whether it’s classic fare or something you’ve never had before, practically every region of Northern California has some place that is already making your mouth water just thinking about it.
Flickr/ Zach Zupancic
Whether you cook it up yourself or eat out, there’s absolutely nothing better than Northern California fresh and local produce. You were spoiled here when you developed a taste for it and now nothing can compare.
Flickr/ Melissa
From the beaches to the forests to the mountains, there’s so much for a young person to explore. Do them a favor and let them tucker themselves out before you let them back inside the house, especially during the summer!
Flickr/ Bureau of Land Management
West Coast, Best Coast, am I right? Sometimes we talk a little slower out west and, especially in our region out west, might move at a more relaxed pace. Anyone who doesn’t prefer it that way is welcome to head back east or move to the city, as far as we care.
We’re proud to be from here, and that’s just a fact. We like its stunning sunsets, friendly people, and small town way of life.
Flickr/ Carole Waller
Because aside from the beautiful scenery, opportunities for outdoor recreation, and great livelihoods, it’s the fun-loving people we hold dear to our hearts, too.
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