14 Reasons Why My Heart Will Always Be In Northern California
By Joanne Kraft|Published April 21, 2016
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Joanne Kraft
Author
Joanne is a fourth-generation Northern Californian. She knows good sour dough bread when she tastes it and understands the best parts of the Golden State are nowhere near Los Angeles.
There is a time in almost everyone’s life when we think living elsewhere has got to be better than this. Kind of like the “grass is greener” mentality, you know? But if you really stop and think about it, there are dozens of gargantuan reasons why living here is absolutely off the hook (as Guy Fieri would say – he’s also from Northern California, by the way).
So, for those of you thinking somewhere else is way better, here’s a few reasons why you can be grateful you’re already here.
The ancient great-grandaddies of all trees, we have 'em. They are the giants of this part of the world and we love and respect them here. Where else can you drive your minivan through a tree?
Those amazing Redwoods represent a small portion of the rest of our forests full of pine and oak, which means we have incredible air here. Seriously, go outside and take a deep breath. Why don't you ask L.A. how they're doing in the clean air department. Better yet, don't.
Mosey out of the forest and its not long before you run smack dab into the Pacific Ocean. Say it with me: beee-you-tiful! Thank God we're not land - locked like Kansas, Oklahoma, Kentucky...you get the picture.
Don't feel like sitting on the beach? Then turn up the tunes and take a drive through the country. We have LOTS of it here. Pull over and snap a few photos - and remind everyone how awesome you have it here.
What kind are you looking for: art, science, automobile, train, state history? We've got them all! A little tip for parents: The City of Sacramento offers "FREE MUSEUM DAY" the second Saturday in February. Dozens of museums are absolutely free. How cool is that?
And, then there's our love of all creatures great and small. You could do the traditional zoo visit...or volunteer at your local shelter. We're known for our compassion for animals around here.
Northern Californians like to have a good time. We love to laugh - take us or leave us, what you see is what you get. And what's more, we'll be there for our family and friends in a hot second.
Whales, trees, spotted owls, or universities...we love to save things. Northern California has a reputation for gathering a crowd, holding signs, and marching lots of places. It's what we do.
Napa is to wine what France is to champagne. We can be a bit pretentious when you talk to us about our wines. After all, Sonoma County is in our neck of the woods. Who better to understand the ways of this incredible elixir of the gods?
Our part of the country is your best friend when it comes to fresh produce. We provide lots of neighboring states with much of their produce. Oranges, avocados, cashews, almonds, and spinach to name a tiny bit...you're welcome!
13. Weather - Ours rocks
flickr/bureau of land management
Let's be honest. We have incredible weather. You won't find us scraping snow off our windshields (unless we want to). Mother Nature calls us her favorite, so we have lovely weather ALL YEAR LONG. Watching other states in freezing rains, floods, hurricanes and tornadoes make us scratch our heads. We just don't understand it.
And, with all this great weather...if we don't want to lay out on the beach we enjoy a hike in the mountains. Or, we camp along one of our rivers. Then again, we love skiing on our lakes, too. So many choices, so little time.
Growing up in this part of the world has been an incredible gift. Where else can you do all of these things and more? All while under the beauty of weather that is like no place else in this country. What makes you grateful to live in Northern California? Why won’t you ever leave?
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