Contrary to Popular Belief: The California Myth

“Whatever starts in California unfortunately has an inclination to spread.”
~Jimmy Carter

As a young West Coaster, (Pacific Northwester really,) I must admit, I grew up with certain expectations and ideas of the Californian lifestyle. I remember hearing over and over again, how those pesky Californians and all of their money were invading our land, buying our houses and raising taxes left and right. Now, it may not have been that dramatic, but I do recall a certain rival and distaste for our semi-neighbors to the South.

I'm just glad we had Oregon in between us. Talk about a Switzerland.

There were a few things California had the could make a youngster slightly green with envy.


First of all, Disneyland-Hello?!!? Who would not want to live in the same state that housed the Happiest Place on Earth? Regardless of how big the state actually is (I still have no idea) in my mind, everyone spent their free time hanging out with Mickey and Minnie. At least, they'd totally be crazy not to.

Secondly, Zach Morris lived in California and Zach Morris was the ultimate pretend boyfriend. My walls were covered in Big Bop and Teen Beat photos of the guy. Saturday mornings were spent, not with cartoons-but with the gang of Saved By The Bell. What a better way to start of the weekend then with a Zach Attack. I stuck by those kids through thick and thin----From the days of Mrs. Bliss to both times they graduated from High School, even through the end of the the College Years and a fond farewell at Zach and Kelly's Wedding---To this day, we can relate everything back to Saved by the Bell.

How many songs incorporate all that is perfect about California. Lyrics of left hearts, of beautiful girls, of dreamin'. There is always something to sing about when it comes to California. I don't know a single song about Washington. (Other then Roll on Columbia...)

There are plenty of other things, however I'm sure you get the picture.

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So, just over seven months here in California and I consider myself an expert. I thought I'd make you aware of the inaccuracies that hinder us Californians:

Contrary to popular belief, It ain't all Los Angeles, San Francisco, or San Diego.

California is massive. It's huge. Before moving here, I'd never really thought of how large it really is. Just looking on the map makes you realize, California could practically eat OR and WA for dinner.

There are entire parts of the state that I didn't know even existed. Mainly North of San Francisco. To be honest, I still have very little idea of what goes on up there. I've even deemed it Oregon II. However, I've managed to come across some great areas, which deserve their own recognition as much more then supposed suburbs of said big cities. I love places like Santa Barbara, Napa, the San Jose area. I'm lucky I have a job that allows me to explore.

Contrary to popular belief, It ain't all 90210.

Let me tell you, I have personal experience on this one. Not every Californian drives a BMW, or a Prius. Not all Californians have pockets full of $100 bills. Not all Californians can afford Prada. There are some incredibly poor people in all of California. It's shocking how prevelant homelessness is in the big cities. There is an unfortunate soul on every corner in San Francisco.

Makes me feel lucky for just having a roof---and a car---regradless of how old.

Those kids on 90210 had no idea how lucky they were---and if they did----I'm sure they wouldn't have gotten in to as much trouble as they did.

Oh the drama.

Contrary to popular belief, It ain't all Palm Trees and Sandy Beaches.

There are some areas of California that don't even have beach access. There are some areas of California that covered in Pine Trees. There are some areas in California that remind me of the drive to Pullman. I moved to San Francisco and couldn't quite understand why the "beach" here looked exactly like the beach in Seattle. A severe lack of sand and an over abundance of rocks. Where were the surfers, the volleyball players, the bathing suits and boogie boards?

Turns out, they're not in Northern California.

Who knew?

Contrary to popular belief, It ain't always Sunny and Warm.

This is a clear lie. I'm in San Diego right now. It's cold and windy. I can't feel my feet. I can almost see my breath at night. I am in a fleece, but I wish I had my peacoat. Even thinking about wearing anything thinner then a parka makes me numb.

Case #2: My first time visiting San Francisco. I nearly froze to death. That's not even being dramatic. It was incredibly windy and cold and cold and windy. Totally threw me for a loop.

Don't get me wrong, California has great weather. Just don't let the chance of Hypothermia catch you off guard.

Lastly, there are two things I didn't think it did in California.

Rain and Snow.

Both of which happen, and apparently, it's a yearly occurrence.

Contrary to popular belief It ain't just one big freeway.

The image I have of crazy California freeways was taken from the movie Clueless---when Claire and Dionne drove on the freeway for the first time. It was dramatic, it was downright scary.
It was totally wrong.

True, traffic can be bad.
True, California drivers are a bit----rushed at times.

Granted the 5, the 8, the 101, the 880 and so on---can be confusing. And you can most definetly end up magically on the wrong freeway, it's really not that bad. And this is coming from a girl who spent a majority of her driving years avoiding "fast roads"

Now...It's like...so as if. Whatever.

Contrary to popular belief, It ain't all Blue.

California has a Republican Governor. Regardless of the fact that he will always be the guy from Kindergarten Cop and those other movies, he's still a guy in the Red. You can't help but love someone who wears "The Govenator" title with such pride.

Take note of the Map to the right. That is how California voted in the first Bush election. Predominately red.

There is this little area called Orange County. Or Southern California. Basically take out the major metropolitan of San Francisco, LA and bits of San Diego. And you have a clear cut red state. I live in Alameda, on the East Bay. Red. Very Red. Oregon II Red. Of course, not many people live in the Red Areas as a whole, so Blue always wins.

Which is good. I like being on the winning team ;)

Contrary to popular belief, It ain't all one big Red Carpet.

California may have it's fill of Fame whores. Those 15 minute seekers who splash the pages of our grocery store guilty pleasures. But, not everyone is all glitz and glam.

I had this image of LA. On every corner there would be a celebrity, just basking in all their glory.

I was wrong. The only famous person I've seen since moving here was the girl that played the middle kid on Roseanne. Sarah Something.

Although I think it would be so much better if we all had Red Carpets to walk on, California may be Celeb filled, but us normal people very rarely get a glimpse.

No matter how hard we try ;)

And just so we're clear, apparently California has a jaded view of the rest of America. See, we all carry around our own little myths:

"California is where you can't run any farther without getting wet." Neil Morgan