California, First Thoughts?

[ChrisL]

@2Far got me to thinking about this.   When you think of CA what are your first thoughts?

Land of fruits & nuts? Hollywood, liberals, crime & vice, smog?  I get the bashing we take and it’s OK but I never really understood why.  

 

[Razors Edge ★]

Sun and fun!

[JerrySTL ★]

Crazy politics.

[groupw]

A state that epitomizes our best and worst at the same time. From great natural beauty in coasts and parks to urban sprawl and social decay. Incredible wealth and great poverty. Great entertainment to the worst excesses of pop culture. A state I love to visit but am ready to leave when my time there is done. 

[Allen ★]

Too many people in too small of a space

[Razors Edge ★]

1 minute ago, Allen said:

Too many people in too small of a space

That's JERSEY!!!!!

[Allen ★]

Just now, Razors Edge said:

That's JERSEY!!!!!

Everywhere really

[TrentonMakes]

First thought?  Driving from SF to LA on Route 1 and 101.  Magnificent - I've been to CA twice and loved it.

[Razors Edge ★]

Just now, Allen said:

Everywhere really 

North Dakota?

[Indy]

Crazy politics, liberals and generally better than you attitude.  Most of that is driven by the coastal area and have been in the state several times, there is a huge difference between coastal California and the rest.  Coastal, I find I don't get along well with the natives as the perceived notions tend to be true, yes they look down on midwesterners, transplants usually aren't an issue.  As you move inland, found the people to be sane and normal and most seem to have the same disdain for the coastal crowd that dominates California perception.

[2Far ★]

Jerry Brown

A bunch of people who seem certain everyone else cares about what they think.

Swimming & skiing within a very short drive.

Wine

Whine

[ChrisL]

32 minutes ago, groupw said:

A state that epitomizes our best and worst at the same time. From great natural beauty in coasts and parks to urban sprawl and social decay. Incredible wealth and great poverty. Great entertainment to the worst excesses of pop culture. A state I love to visit but am ready to leave when my time there is done. 

Well stated.

[ChrisL]

23 minutes ago, Indy said:

Crazy politics, liberals and generally better than you attitude.  Most of that is driven by the coastal area and have been in the state several times, there is a huge difference between coastal California and the rest.  Coastal, I find I don't get along well with the natives as the perceived notions tend to be true, yes they look down on midwesterners, transplants usually aren't an issue.  As you move inland, found the people to be sane and normal and most seem to have the same disdain for the coastal crowd that dominates California perception.

Wait, I’m a conservative who lives on the coast!?!?  But pretty accurate though.

[BR46]

[ChrisL]

35 minutes ago, Allen said:

Too many people in too small of a space

Very true in the LA, San Fran & San Diego metro areas.  Much of the state is desolate open land which many don’t realize.

[ChrisL]

1 minute ago, BR46 said:

Half the dudes in my HS including me were Spicolli!

[Parsnip Totin Jack ★]

I like visiting but wouldn’t want to live there. People complain about the politics and taxes there, but CA does have a crap ton of outdoor things to do and the residents do take advantage of their opportunities. 

[ChrisL]

7 minutes ago, Old#7 said:

I like visiting but wouldn’t want to live there. People complain about the politics and taxes there, but CA does have a crap ton of outdoor things to do and the residents do take advantage of their opportunities. 

And we can do them year round.

[12string]

Beautiful scenery, way too much traffic getting to it. Ready for the kids to move back so my only trip out there will be Yosemite, not the bay area.

[Indy]

35 minutes ago, ChrisL said:

Very true in the LA, San Fran & San Diego metro areas.  Much of the state is desolate open land which many don’t realize.

I'll admit, that surprised me the first time I flew into Sacramento.  Felt like flying into pretty much most midwestern towns.

[Dottleshead ★]

Porn.

[Dottleshead ★]

1 minute ago, Indy said:

I'll admit, that surprised me the first time I flew into Sacramento.  Felt like flying into pretty much most midwestern towns.

Many other Californians like to mock Sacramento.

[Indy]

Just now, Dottie said:

Many other Californians like to mock Sacramento.

And most of the country likes to mock Californians, it is the circle of mock.

[maddmaxx ★]

I haven't been there in more than 60 years so I doubt that I know "modern California".  IMO it's very possible to find parts of any area that are not one's cup of tea.

[ChrisL]

5 minutes ago, Indy said:

And most of the country likes to mock Californians, it is the circle of mock.

That’s the part I never understood though.   I think people are smart enough to understand CA is a diverse state with its gems and warts like any state.  but reference CA and many will giggle & snicker or make a snide joke.

I don’t think any other state is as universally mocked by other residents as CA is.

[Razors Edge ★]

17 minutes ago, Dottie said:

Porn.

Arizona (and specifically ASU) seems to be a hotbed of that these.

[TrentonMakes]

5 minutes ago, ChrisL said:

I don’t think any other state is as universally mocked by other residents as CA is.

 

[maddmaxx ★]

11 minutes ago, ChrisL said:

That’s the part I never understood though.   I think people are smart enough to understand CA is a diverse state with its gems and warts like any state.  but reference CA and many will giggle & snicker or make a snide joke.

I don’t think any other state is as universally mocked by other residents as CA is.

Not even Texas?

[Indy]

12 minutes ago, ChrisL said:

That’s the part I never understood though.   I think people are smart enough to understand CA is a diverse state with its gems and warts like any state.  but reference CA and many will giggle & snicker or make a snide joke.

I don’t think any other state is as universally mocked by other residents as CA is.

I think it has a lot to do with you have a lot of high profile people in CA who are trying to push their will on the rest of the county.  These people have no idea about rural life, yet are constantly trying to dictate how people living in these areas should do things.

Basically, people get tired of hearing from people who have no clue on how they should live their lives.

[Dottleshead ★]

14 minutes ago, Razors Edge said:

Arizona (and specifically ASU) seems to be a hotbed of that these.

I wouldn't know. 

[ChrisL]

7 minutes ago, Indy said:

I think it has a lot to do with you have a lot of high profile people in CA who are trying to push their will on the rest of the county.  These people have no idea about rural life, yet are constantly trying to dictate how people living in these areas should do things.

Basically, people get tired of hearing from people who have no clue on how they should live their lives.

Good point.  Is it high profile celebrities/entertainment industry & the the stereotypes they spew on your tv or politicians?  Because neither can really be trusted!

[ChrisL]

14 minutes ago, maddmaxx said:

Not even Texas?

Texas does get ridiculed too but I don’t think to the same extent.

[Dottleshead ★]

57 minutes ago, Indy said:

And most of the country likes to mock Californians, it is the circle of mock.

I was thinking jerk.

[Guest]

 

[ChrisL]

4 minutes ago, Zackny said:

 

OMG I freaking hate that song...  I can hear my MIL screeching now... It’s raining in CA, it never rains in CA....

[Page Turner]

1 hour ago, Dottie said:

Many other Californians like to mock Sacramento.

 

1 hour ago, Indy said:

And most of the country likes to mock Californians, it is the circle of mock.

"...hey man, am I driving OK ?"

[Page Turner]

2 hours ago, Allen said:

Too many people in too small of a space

...the big earthquake that's coming is going to fix this.  

[ChrisL]

3 minutes ago, Page Turner said:

...the big earthquake that's coming is going to fix this.  

OK here is the other thing I don’t get.  Why does this warrant a smiley?  Nobody jokes about Kansas getting blown to bits in a tornado but the utter destruction of CA is often the butt of many jokes.  

I know I’m in the verge of a rant and I’m really not upset.  I’ve just never understood the CA bashing and jokes about earthquakes taking us out. 

[Green Grass]

2 hours ago, Allen said:

Everywhere really

Ever been to Wyoming?

[dinneR ★]

It's like it's own country, too big and too diverse to classify or stereotype. 

How would we eat without it?

[Green Grass]

The Hollywood and political crowd...liberal, clueless hypocrites.

The traffic is absolutely stupid.  

[Green Grass]

1 hour ago, Razors Edge said:

Arizona (and specifically ASU) seems to be a hotbed of that these.

?

[Wilbur ★]

I think of rides through Napa and the Headlands Loop.  I have been there for the huge earthquakes and Rodney King riots though..  

[ChrisL]

7 minutes ago, dennis said:

It's like it's own country, too big and too diverse to classify or stereotype. 

How would we eat without it?

You get it.  CA is so much more than Hollywood... 

[dinneR ★]

1 minute ago, ChrisL said:

You get it.  CA is so much more than Hollywood... 

Way more. Imagine the U.S. without a place like Yosemite.

Pt Reyes is really cool too.

[Razors Edge ★]

19 minutes ago, ChrisL said:

You get it.  CA is so much more than Hollywood...  

Really?  Those few square miles aren't everything CA has to offer?

[Razors Edge ★]

20 minutes ago, dennis said:

Way more. Imagine the U.S. without a place like Yosemite. 

Pt Reyes is really cool too. 

CA has NINE National Parks.  Not too shabby.

Channel Islands, Death Valley, Joshua Tree, Kings Canyon, Lassen Volcanic, Pinnacles, Redwood, Sequoia, & Yosemite.

 

 

[ChrisL]

10 minutes ago, Razors Edge said:

Really?  Those few square miles aren't everything CA has to offer?

The really funny thing is the major studios are in Culver City &  Burbank... I think there is one still in Hollywood, Gower maybe... 

[Razors Edge ★]

17 minutes ago, ChrisL said:

The really funny thing is the major studios are in Culver City &  Burbank... I think there is one still in Hollywood, Gower maybe...  

"I hate those pricks in Culver City telling me what to do" doesn't roll off the tongue very well.

[ChrisL]

2 minutes ago, Razors Edge said:

"I hate those pricks in Culver City telling me what to do" doesn't roll off the tongue very well.

As mentioned before I spent 2 years on Sony Pictures lot which was the former Columbia Studios.  Some of the buildings had really cool historic displays.  

Of course I was most impressed with the Three Stooges displays!