California is the beauty queen of the west coast. But, most folks east of our border have no clue there’s a huge difference between the northern and the southern parts of this state. Northern Californians are known to be a little more pretentious compared to her full-of-herself southern Californian sister.

And, while there are always a few things that don’t seem to be clear to the outsiders looking in, it’s very clear to us.

  1. Snow

Flickr/ Niq Scott We just don’t understand it. And, if it happens to fall it looks gorgeous and never overstays its welcome. We run up to Tahoe if we want the snow experience.

  1. Almond Milk

William Ismael …or coconut milk or soy milk. Anything but milk . We use alternatives to dairy - every time.

  1. Banana Slug

Flickr/Jon Wiley You’ve kissed a banana slug on a field trip. It’s a rite of passage for Northern California kids. And if you didn’t, you know you wanted to.

  1. Clam Chowder in a Sour Dough Bread Bowl

Flickr/Marit & Toomas Hinnosaar There’s no substitute. When you’re from Northern California this photo has the magical power to make your mouth water.

  1. Gas Pump Trigger Locks are Disappearing

Flickr/Mike Mozart We have to hold our gas pumps around here. In August, the state Fire Marshal’s Office ordered latches removed from a particular brand of nozzle, because there were reported problems of drivers getting splashed when filling up. Northern California stations were the first to begin the changes.

  1. Artichokes

flickr / Mike Mozart Steamed. Fried. Marinated. We know how to prepare them and we definitely know how to eat them.

  1. Six Flags Great America

Flickr/Jeremy Thompson Your family took you here when you couldn’t afford Disneyland. Middle-aged Northern Californians can remember “The Turn of the Century” and “The Tidalwave.”

  1. Gluten Free

Flickr/Paul Swanson In Northern California you’re eating gluten-free, know someone who’s gluten-free, but probably still have no idea what gluten even is or why you should break free from it.

  1. Hella–it’s a Bay Area thing.

Photo Credit Used in place of “very” or “really”, it’s used in these parts A LOT. It’s believed to have originated in Oakland or Berkeley. Which makes it hella cool.

  1. Reusable Grocery Bags

Flickr/Debra Roby Going shopping? We bring our own bags. There’s a war on plastic bags out here. Most stores charge 10 cents a plastic bag because we just care way more about our environment than you do.

  1. Movie Stars

Flickr/Thomas Hawk We haven’t seen one, so please don’t ask. It’s annoying.

  1. San Francisco

Flickr/David Yu Do you call it “Frisco?” Then you’re definitely NOT from Northern California. When we’re heading there we say we’re going to “The City.” Got it?

  1. Please stop telling us you want to visit L. A.

Flickr/anumodbalan When we ask, “Have you ever been to California?” and you answer, “Yes! I’ve been to L.A.” Please stop talking. We’re tired of hearing about that part of the state…hella tired.

Folks in Northern California know there’s no comparison between us and the southern part of the state. Hollywood and the L.A. lifestyle may be what makes the news but us Californians up north know it’s all smoke and mirrors down there. Don’t be fooled. We’re the real deal.

Flickr/ Niq Scott

We just don’t understand it. And, if it happens to fall it looks gorgeous and never overstays its welcome. We run up to Tahoe if we want the snow experience.

William Ismael

…or coconut milk or soy milk. Anything but milk . We use alternatives to dairy - every time.

Flickr/Jon Wiley

You’ve kissed a banana slug on a field trip. It’s a rite of passage for Northern California kids. And if you didn’t, you know you wanted to.

Flickr/Marit & Toomas Hinnosaar

There’s no substitute. When you’re from Northern California this photo has the magical power to make your mouth water.

Flickr/Mike Mozart

We have to hold our gas pumps around here. In August, the state Fire Marshal’s Office ordered latches removed from a particular brand of nozzle, because there were reported problems of drivers getting splashed when filling up. Northern California stations were the first to begin the changes.

flickr / Mike Mozart

Steamed. Fried. Marinated. We know how to prepare them and we definitely know how to eat them.

Flickr/Jeremy Thompson

Your family took you here when you couldn’t afford Disneyland. Middle-aged Northern Californians can remember “The Turn of the Century” and “The Tidalwave.”

Flickr/Paul Swanson

In Northern California you’re eating gluten-free, know someone who’s gluten-free, but probably still have no idea what gluten even is or why you should break free from it.

Photo Credit

Used in place of “very” or “really”, it’s used in these parts A LOT. It’s believed to have originated in Oakland or Berkeley. Which makes it hella cool.

Flickr/Debra Roby

Going shopping? We bring our own bags. There’s a war on plastic bags out here. Most stores charge 10 cents a plastic bag because we just care way more about our environment than you do.

Flickr/Thomas Hawk

We haven’t seen one, so please don’t ask. It’s annoying.

Flickr/David Yu

Do you call it “Frisco?” Then you’re definitely NOT from Northern California. When we’re heading there we say we’re going to “The City.” Got it?

Flickr/anumodbalan

When we ask, “Have you ever been to California?” and you answer, “Yes! I’ve been to L.A.” Please stop talking. We’re tired of hearing about that part of the state…hella tired.

What are some things that YOU think make Northern California way cooler?

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