I used to live in California when I was a young teenager. After I moved to the Midwest at the age of 15, I realized that most Californians are California-centric. They don’t leave California, they can’t imagine living anywhere else, and they don’t see any reason to travel to other parts of the U.S. (Stressing most Californians, not all!)
Since returning to California 10 years ago, I now actually see why Californians love California so much. Even though I love and appreciate what the rest of the U.S. and the world have to offer, I am starting to feel like I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. Why?
Because California is so beautiful.
And diverse, not just in people, but also in food, language, education, and especially nature.
There is so much to do here.
California is exciting and alive. Despite all its problems, it is vibrant. It is where the action is.
Here are some glimpses of that vibrancy as seen in the colors of California.
The almost unreal color palette of Carmel Beach on an unusually sunny day
The huge valley that runs much of the length of the state is hot and dry most of the year.
Snow is definitely part of winter for much of California . This fresh snowfall in the Sierra Nevadas was one hour from my house in the valley.
Farming is all around us. Any road-trip includes views like this of fields and orchards.
Wine is part of the culture here. This was taken in the humble but excellent Lodi wine country.
Fall glows in Northern California
Sun setting on the Sacramento River
It's hard to escape the bright sun in the summer unless you head to the coast.
An homage to farmworkers at the Cornerstone outdoor art installations in Sonoma
The precariously positioned Point Reyes Lighthouse
No look at California would be complete without the famously grey, foggy beauty near San Francisco.
This is just a tiny peek… Look for more photos of California in upcoming posts. In the meantime, let me know what strikes you about California.
(This post is part of this week’s travel photos at Budget Travelers Sandbox and Delicious Baby.)
Great photos
The opening paragraph can be applied to Texans too LOL!
I didn’t know that Texans were so proud of their state, but you and Becca mentioned that, so now I know!
I love the shot of the little boy and the fallen leaves. Sometimes I forget that California has seasons other than summer!
You took the words right out of my mouth!!
Glad you liked that photo
A lot of people forget about the seasons here because the images from LA are the most common. It definitely has seasons, but of course it depends on where you are in the state. The coast, which most people associate with the southern CA beaches, is mostly cool and often foggy and doesn’t vary much year-round. The central and northern parts of the state definitely have 4 seasons, and the seasons in the valley can be extreme. But CA is a big state with a long coast and lots of mountains, so the variation makes sense.
Oh, what a beautiful love letter to California. I’ve still never been, but it looks gorgeous. And I never knew how different the landscapes are!
Thank you!
You will have to come here someday soon!
What a great assortment of shots from California and a reminder of what a diverse state it is.
California wine country (Napa & Sonoma) is my favourite area – at least so far. Also loved the hiking in Joshua Tree and would love to go to Yosemite in the off season.
I have not been to Joshua Tree. I also love the Napa and Sonoma area. So beautiful. Yosemite is amazing. I have been just once but hope to go back soon.
Yep, you could spend your entire life wandering around California shooting great images and never finish the job. Lucky for me, I live there.
Sounds like you love it, too
I agree, Jenna! It’s wonderful to get away and see the rest of the world, but when time or $$ are in short supply, there is more than enough to do right here in California.
Your photos are fantastic! Looking at them makes me feel good on this slightly dreary day.
Yes, I love getting out of California, too, but when I can’t travel to other states or countries, there is enough here to keep me happy.
Sooo gorgeous! I’d love to be there right now. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Gretchen!
What a great collection of photos to showcase California. Having lived in Southern CA for 20 years, I don’t think I can live anywhere else either and for almost the same reasons you listed. I totally agree about the nature part since we have such high concentration of national parks, monuments and natural wonders. Lucky for me to live here too.
I need to see more of Southern CA. I spent quite a bit of time there when I was younger but haven’t been for a while.
Terrific selection of places and photos, Jenna. I didn’t realize that you lived in the Midwest. I do love my hometown of Chicago, but we’re pretty lucky here in California as your photos show. Love the fall picture with the little guy.
I didn’t know that Chicago is your hometown. My husband is crazy about Chicago. I honestly don’t know much about it because I was there just once for 2 days, I think. I would love to take my sons there soon. My family is originally from Iowa but I lived there just for about 3 years (before and during grad school). I also lived in South Dakota, Minnesota, and Ohio.
Such diversity, you’re right — it’d hard to want to go anywhere when you have all this around you. Lovely selection, Jenna.
Thank you for the nice words
I have told travelers around the world, “California has it all”! Every topography, climate, and vegetation is represented somewhere in California!
Just in our Sacramento valley (not shown in your collection), I would add the river gorges in the foothills and the canopies of trees everywhere in Sacramento that buffer the summer heat. Not to mention elsewhere in the state, active volcanos with lava beds, Lake Tahoe, Big Sur, Yosemite, Death Valley and the Mohave Desert.
You mention many places I haven’t been yet in CA! So much more to do here…
Those pics are beautiful. AS a native Texan, I can’t imagine living anywhere else, so I understand the pride you have for California – and the shots show us why!
I guess I need to explore Texas more. I’m doing it vicariously through this season of Top Chef, lol. I spent a few days in San Antonio and loved it.
I love the idea of following your state through the seasons…which is, oddly enough, what I pretty much did today for Michigan
I’ve got a special fascination with lighthouses (and more specifically with Great Lakes lighthouses), so I loved your shot of Point Reyes.
I haven’t been to Michigan! I’ve heard the northern parts are beautiful.
Without a doubt, California is incredibly diverse and beautiful. It is amazing how much the landscape can vary here – all within a couple hundred miles. From the fertile valley, wine country, mountains, beaches, redwoods, and cities. Great place to live for beauty!
You’re right, having it all so close is wonderful. Sacramento is not my favorite city, but having so much around here makes it a great place to live.
Great photos of a great state!
Beautiful photos! We’ve only been to San Diego, however, I would love to get back and explore some more of California.
Wow, love the colors in your pictures. Having 4 seasons can be really wonderful, isn’t it? Here in the tropics the season’s colors don’t change much
(Dropping by from the Budget Travelers Sandbox Travel Photo Thursday)
I’ve been to California heaps but not in the past 20 years
Remember I really liked the Big Sur area.
Great photos Jenna! You have really captured the colors of CA. I went to college in California and found those Californians that don’t want to leave their state. I got a lot of guff for being from Colorado. People would ask me if I lived in a log cabin. In the end, Californians do have a beautiful state to brag about.
lol about people asking about you living in a log cabin. Sounds kind of ignorant to me! Colorado is so beautiful– I’m sure people who live there wouldn’t want to live anywhere else! I didn’t know you went to school in CA!
Beautiful pictures and colors!
Beautiful! It’s so nice to see California shine.
Great photos! So glad to see someone who appreciates the beauty of the Central Valley! It always gets overlooked.
True, the Central Valley really does get overlooked, maybe for good reason since it is bordered by amazing nature. I like the flatness and simplicity of the valley, though.
I’ve always wanted to move and live in California for the long-term. Whether it be San Diego or San Francisco, the whole state is beautiful. So much variety. And for the surfing
I’ve grown up in New Jersey & NYC area for most my life, and then moved out to Midwest recently (Minneapolis, to be specific), but didn’t last for more than 5 months. Why? Because honestly, Midwest in general lacks diversity … both nature, people, culture, and things to do. Made me appreciate more of where I originally grew up, and just realized I love the coasts (West or East).
Interesting that you mention you feel some Californians would not want to live anywhere else … having stayed in Minnesota for those 5 months, I definitely feel Minnesotans believe their state and where they live is the best place in the world (which I kindly will have to disagree). And besides, Californians are still well-traveled or at least, open to travel & other cultures. I definitely hope to make the move to SD soon!
Beautiful pictures, & wonderful post. Thanks for sharing!
You bring up a good point about the diversity. In terms of cultural diversity, it is true that places like CA, NY, NJ have so much diversity. I do like the Midwest and think everyone who lives there should be prou dof it IF they love living there, but I prefer the liveliness and diversity of California. Thanks for stopping by!
It’s hard not to love California! I really like your grapes and fall leaves photos!
I moved to California (from Oregon) for college, and then never wanted to leave! The whole state is gorgeous, but I agree that the stretch of I-5 north of San Francisco is killer in the summer – so dry and hot. CA has so much diversity – it’s hard to find that in other places.
California is beautiful – I lived in San Fran for 2 1/2 years and loved having the opportunity to take trips up and down the coast – you’re right – there is so much to see and do.
Amazing pic i like it! California is beautiful places!
Yes, we are fortunate to live in such a beautiful place.
just returned in Lake Garda and came back from Fremont, closed to SF last week!!! It wasn’t the first time for me in California and in US in general, but this time was very special for me because I was with american friends that live there! I have had a great holiday because I did what they normally do! cinema, bbq, californian wine tasting, breakfast with pancakes, hammingbirds in the backyard, Bruce Springsteen’s gig in San Josè (that’s why I went there basically) Trip across California with locals is the best way to get in touch with a culture! And San Francisco is so friendly with tourists! The funny thing was that I discovered to know SF better than my American friends! I know perfectly where the famous Citylightsbookstore was located, I remember well where Alamo square and the painted ladies are…that’s why in the past I visited SF just walking across the streets! the same happened here in Italy with my american friends…they know a lot of streets that I have never had the occasion to stamble upon!
Rossella, Lake Garda recently posted..ombrello viola
Sounds like you had a wonderful time! California is easy to love!