15 Surefire Signs That You Have Strong Roots in Southern California
×
Natasha Kayes
Author
Living here in the Golden State is a unique and – in my humble opinion – awesome experience that shapes us in ways we may not even realize. If, like me, you were born and raised in Southern California (or if you have spent most of your life here), there are things that have inevitably become second nature – things that non-natives just may not understand – and you wouldn’t have it any other way, right? So, for all my fellow locals who are proud to call this place home, here is a list of surefire signs that your roots are planted deeply in SoCal. You should also check out the awesome Wear Your Roots brand for cool ways to show those roots off!
1. You find yourself taking a jacket when it gets “cold” - you know, when temps drop below 70 degrees.
Yes, we know we’re spoiled here in SoCal, especially along the coast. What a lot of the country thinks of as warm weather is enough to have us pulling out sweatshirts and warm socks, telling the kids to take a jacket when leaving the house, and maybe even turning on the heater.
2. The cold (at least what passes for cold here) doesn’t keep you from going to the beach.
Nothing, even having to bundle up and stay out of the water, keeps a true Southern Californian from spending time at their happy place.
Advertisement
3. Disneyland was a regular part of your childhood.
Growing up so close to the “happiest place on earth” meant that parents didn’t need to plan a hotel stay, a flight, etc. to spend the day with Mickey. Even though the park has changed, expanded, and become a lot less accessible price-wise, most of us could still make our way around without a map, and we definitely know where all the classic rides, attractions, and eateries are.
Advertisement
4. You consider flip-flops acceptable footwear almost anywhere you go and any time of year.
I don’t know anyone who doesn’t have multiple pairs of flip-flops or sandals in their wardrobe - in multiple colors, designs, and levels of casualness. And since we have warm days during every season, they are always at the ready.
5. For you, a “snow day” means a day trip that requires a long drive for a day in the mountains.
I think kids everywhere get excited for a snow day. But, unlike places where that means getting to stay home from school because snow is falling in your town, for us it has always meant that we are packing up the car with extra coats and hats and hot cocoa, and heading off to play or ski in a mountain town where we actually do have snow.
6. If you are ever gone for any amount of time, you want an In-N-Out burger as soon as you come home.
Our love for In-N-Out starts early and never seems to fade. We have our favorite go-to meal, whether it’s a Double-Double with cheese and fries well-done, animal style, or a simple Cheeseburger with grilled onions (my personal go-to), and we crave it when we haven’t had it in a while.
7. You cannot imagine living away from the beach.
Whether we are avid swimmers, surfers, sunbathers, beach-walkers, shell-seekers, or ocean fishermen, we have a deep connection to the coast and being close enough to hit the beach any time we want is something we just can’t live without.
8. Your favorite drive is Pacific Coast Highway.
There is just nothing like driving down what we affectionately call PCH with the windows down and the music up. Ocean breezes, hillside mansions, dolphin spotting, piers and restaurants, gorgeous rock formations… a drive down PCH has it all and more, and we cannot get enough.
Advertisement
Related Stories
Most People Don't Know This President And First Lady's Gravesite Is Found Right Here In Southern California
10 Unique Trivia Facts About Southern California You Might Not Have Heard Before
Most People Didn't Know That The Cobb Salad Was Invented Right Here In Southern California
9. You have a citrus or avocado tree in your yard.
Though there are far fewer groves and far more houses than there used to be, these trees are still found throughout the state and most of us have had orange, lemon, lime, and/or avocado trees at home.
10. You refer to freeways as “the” followed by the number - as in “The 405.”
Everyone else thinks it’s strange, and I’m not sure how it started, but you will rarely hear anyone from SoCal say I-5 or Interstate 10, or even Highway 101. What you will hear is “take the 101 to the 405, then take the 710.” It’s not that weird, is it?
11. You know that avocado goes with everything.
Avocado on your burger? Yes, please. Avocado on your tacos? Of course. Avocados on your omelet? Well, yeah. Avocado toast? I mean, is there another kind?
12. You describe distances in terms of time, not miles.
When you grow up in Southern California, you know that traffic is just a fact of life, so the actual number of miles between two places kind of seems irrelevant. While a non-local will tell you Santa Monica is 46 miles away, a local will tell you it is anywhere from an hour to 1.5 hours away, more if it’s rush hour.
13. Sunsets on the beach are your favorite way to end the day.
Sunsets can be pretty spectacular anywhere, but we know that the sun setting over the ocean and the fading light and colors shimmering on the waves is absolutely unbeatable.
Advertisement
14. Rain is good reason to stay home.
It has been said that it never rains in sunny California. That is obviously not true, but it is infrequent enough to make us want to just stay inside where it’s warm and dry rather than deal with getting wet and even more dreaded traffic.
15. No matter where you travel or move, Southern California will always feel like home.
It is hard to say whether you grow roots in SoCal or SoCal grows its roots in you, but if this is where you grew up, nowhere else in the world will take its place in your heart. And coming back will always feel like coming home.
Are your roots here in Southern California? How many of the items on this list can you identify with? What would you add to the list? If Southern California truly feels like home to you, you will also love these 11 photos only SoCal locals truly understand.
If you decide to shop for some of the cool items at Wear Your Roots, make sure you use the coupon code California10 for 10% off your order!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.