We Northern Californians are just a little different from people in other states. We’re pretty easy to understand once you get to know our way of life, but to the rest of the world it seems as though we walk to the beat of our own drum. While we’re a pretty diverse, eclectic group, there are still quite a few things you’d never catch someone from this part of the state doing – ever.
- Cutting down a tree.
flickr/cifor The Redwoods make their home in Northern California. How could we ever think of cutting down a tree? They’re like family.
- Smoking while cycling.
flickr/akuppa john wigham Take a drive through Napa Valley and you’ll see LOTS of cyclists. I promise you’ll not see ONE smoking. Ever.
- Going in the ocean without a wetsuit.
flickr/kenaka menahune Here’s the deal. The weather here is a tad bit chillier than our Southern California sister, so the waves can be downright cold. Wetsuits are a must.
- Riding a bike without a helmet.
flickr/alper cugun While this one may sound like it fits ALL of the state, Northern Californians are serious about our cycling. We have lots more places to ride and thus, lots more chances to get caught without one. The End.
- Rooting for the Dodgers - no matter how cute they are.
flickr/ben and rachel apps Dodgers who?
- Wearing shorts in San Francisco.
flickr/alessandra celauro Want to look like a tourist? Wear shorts in San Francisco. During the summer, most often, you’ll be just fine in jeans and a Giants t-shirt.
- Walking around Oakland alone in the middle of the night.
flickr/rich johnstone Oakland is not the safest place to stroll at all. It’s the 9th most dangerous in the USA, actually. While news stories may be sharing how up and coming this city is - the police department can give you the true low-down on how safe it is.
- Reading up on state affairs - or knowing all the new tax laws.
flickr/jon s Most Northern Californians are probably not aware of the over 800 laws that went into effect this January. And, they probably can’t tell you anything about the bullet train connecting San Jose to Bakersfield. Nor will they be able to tell you how over-budget the high speed rail is, either.
- Driving eastbound Highway 50 to Tahoe on a 3-day weekend.
flickr/just some dust Hope you’ve downloaded a few weeks worth of podcasts, because this trip will take awhile. When you get that itch to run up to Tahoe for a little R&R, make sure it’s during the week and NEVER on a Friday night or a long weekend.
- Passing up a glass of Sonoma County wine.
flickr/denise mattox While there’s lots to be said about European wines, Napa Valley is becoming quite the bully on the block. People come from all over the world to go wine tasting here. We’re that good.
- Sightseeing on Pier 39 during Fleet Week.
flickr/jason schultz “Honey, let’s go watch the Blue Angels during Fleet Week!” …Said pretty much no one from Northern California, ever. We watch from secret spots around the Bay…but NEVER EVER EVER from Pier 39. Way too crowded.
- Bragging about owning a handgun.
flickr/rj The only folks who brag in public about owning a handgun in Northern California are gang members. The rest of us who have one keep it quiet.
- Keeping all opinions to ourselves - right, Berkeley?
flickr/aaron buaer We’re definitely NOT known for this. Shouldn’t everyone know what we’re thinking every minute of every single day? Northern California is home to Berkeley, Davis, Oakland and San Francisco–the cities where they’ll shout what they believe to whoever they think needs to hear them.
- Not visiting the Academy of Sciences, walking the Golden Gate Bridge, or going to the State Capitol on a field trip by the time you’re a teenager.
flickr/jared There’s a handful of spots that every kid in Northern California will visit on a field trip. Some are enjoyed a lot, others not so much. But the favorite of our kids was always Ano Nuevo. Who doesn’t love a chubby-wubby elephant seal or two?
How about you? Which things would you never be caught dead doing in Northern California?
flickr/cifor
The Redwoods make their home in Northern California. How could we ever think of cutting down a tree? They’re like family.
flickr/akuppa john wigham
Take a drive through Napa Valley and you’ll see LOTS of cyclists. I promise you’ll not see ONE smoking. Ever.
flickr/kenaka menahune
Here’s the deal. The weather here is a tad bit chillier than our Southern California sister, so the waves can be downright cold. Wetsuits are a must.
flickr/alper cugun
While this one may sound like it fits ALL of the state, Northern Californians are serious about our cycling. We have lots more places to ride and thus, lots more chances to get caught without one. The End.
flickr/ben and rachel apps
Dodgers who?
flickr/alessandra celauro
Want to look like a tourist? Wear shorts in San Francisco. During the summer, most often, you’ll be just fine in jeans and a Giants t-shirt.
flickr/rich johnstone
Oakland is not the safest place to stroll at all. It’s the 9th most dangerous in the USA, actually. While news stories may be sharing how up and coming this city is - the police department can give you the true low-down on how safe it is.
flickr/jon s
Most Northern Californians are probably not aware of the over 800 laws that went into effect this January. And, they probably can’t tell you anything about the bullet train connecting San Jose to Bakersfield. Nor will they be able to tell you how over-budget the high speed rail is, either.
flickr/just some dust
Hope you’ve downloaded a few weeks worth of podcasts, because this trip will take awhile. When you get that itch to run up to Tahoe for a little R&R, make sure it’s during the week and NEVER on a Friday night or a long weekend.
flickr/denise mattox
While there’s lots to be said about European wines, Napa Valley is becoming quite the bully on the block. People come from all over the world to go wine tasting here. We’re that good.
flickr/jason schultz
“Honey, let’s go watch the Blue Angels during Fleet Week!” …Said pretty much no one from Northern California, ever. We watch from secret spots around the Bay…but NEVER EVER EVER from Pier 39. Way too crowded.
flickr/rj
The only folks who brag in public about owning a handgun in Northern California are gang members. The rest of us who have one keep it quiet.
flickr/aaron buaer
We’re definitely NOT known for this. Shouldn’t everyone know what we’re thinking every minute of every single day? Northern California is home to Berkeley, Davis, Oakland and San Francisco–the cities where they’ll shout what they believe to whoever they think needs to hear them.
flickr/jared
There’s a handful of spots that every kid in Northern California will visit on a field trip. Some are enjoyed a lot, others not so much. But the favorite of our kids was always Ano Nuevo. Who doesn’t love a chubby-wubby elephant seal or two?
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