There is nothing quite like Southern Sunny California. Its hard to beat a lot of its charms: beautiful weather year round, beaches, California girls (you thought I wouldn't say that eh?) and so many things to do. It was so nice to be able to be at the beach in a matter of minutes. There was this little cove at Seal Beach I used to go to just sit and watch the sunrise. Now that I live where it gets cold and snowy I have a special appreciation for Southern California's "ice cold" winters.

California has a mystique about it like few other places. There are so many symbols of that mystique: the Hollywood sign, Disneyland, Beverly Hills, the Lakers, surfing, even the earthquakes. It is the largest state in the country in terms of population and has an incredible diversity of people, climates, natural wonders and wild beauty.


It is a land of contrasts. You can drive along Highway 1 from the Oregon border to San Diego, all along the Pacific Ocean. There are the redwoods and the stunning beauty of Yosemite but there is also the stark beauty of Death Valley. There are large areas of state and national parks and a huge variety of wildlife. There are large cities like San Fransisco and Los Angeles, rich farmland as well as tiny ghost towns that time has forgotten. California is much more than just beaches and surfing.

California was settled by the Spaniards, who left their architecture and 21 beautiful missions on the Camino Real extending all along the state. One particularly famous mission is San Juan Capistrano, which is well known because of its swallows. Please see my page about the California missions. The missions are just one example of California's Hispanic heritage which is evident in the names of places, building styles, art and culture.

The murals of Southern California are a fascinating combination of street art and political expression. The best known are in downtown LA., though cities around the country have used mural paintings in beautification projects as well as a way to deal with some of the more divisive issues in urban communities. The murals have been especially influential in the Hispanic community as a way of celebrating our history, our culture. Increasingly, murals appear in all neighborhoods, often celebrating the richness of our diversity.

One thing I love is how completely Californians separate work and play. The pace of life is different there. What's "cool" in California can often be pretty hard to understand for outsiders who often stereotype Californians as "crazy". For those of you who choose to believe that, I'm sure you will enjoy Venice Beach. Some of the stereotypes border on the ridiculous. Some people won't visit because they think the ground is constantly shaking due to earthquakes. No, not everyone in Southern California talks like a Valley Girl or surfs, believe it or not.


There is a certain magic about the ocean. I used to love to walk along the beach as the sun was setting. It is so calming to just listen to the waves rolling, the sounds of the seagulls, the warmth of the sun and sand against your skin.