NorCal vs SoCal; Which is more beautiful, nature wise? And Why?

[Ludachris]

I love NorCal for all the same reasons people have mentioned above. But it's tough to beat the SoCal beaches (the clean ones at least) and all the palm trees. As far as nature goes, you can find beautiful landscapes in both regions but NorCal has a bit more to choose from and a few more popular diverse destinations to experience. I'd have to lean towards NorCal in the end, but having been raised there, I'm probably biased.

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by Ludachris

I love NorCal for all the same reasons people have mentioned above. But it's tough to beat the SoCal beaches (the clean ones at least) and all the palm trees. As far as nature goes, you can find beautiful landscapes in both regions but NorCal has a bit more to choose from and a few more popular diverse destinations to experience. I'd have to lean towards NorCal in the end, but having been raised there, I'm probably biased.

Yes it is. Born, mostly raised and spent about 24 years of my life there. Then three in central CA and the last almost 20 in the state in NorCal. That leaves about 17 years spent in other states and countries.

If where I was raised in SoCal still bore the least resemblance to what it was then, other than geographically, you'd have had to carry me out feet first!

[jkbatca]

Originally Posted by RockhetHD

NorCal vs SoCal; Which is more beautiful, nature wise? And Why?

Hmmm, to me, I would have to ask "why are you asking?" If you're asking to determine where to live with the nicest surroundings, I would agree with Northern California. Can't beat the Redwoods, Yosemite, Lake Tahoe, Lassen, Bay area, and Mammoth Mountain / Mono Lake area (all in one state!).

However, Southern California has it's own "charms". SoCal has a way more diverse set of juxtaposed environments compared to NorCal. For example, I can drive from sea to desert to alpine forest (Mt. Pinos) in one day (a long day though). SoCal also has part of Big Sur down to Cambria + Morro Bay + Pismo Beach, unique Channel Islands national park, Los Padres National Forest (lots of nature diversity here), southern end of Sierra Nevada, Red Rock state park, San Bernadino mountains, Santa Monica National Park and it's associated Malibu coastline (Leo Carrillo beach is very nice). If you're into deserts, Mohave and especially Death Valley (wonderful name for a place to visit!) is great. Go to any photo site and you will see many shots of Death Valley, very scenic! One thing that I like about SoCal is when a rainy winter happens, many areas turn into huge desert or meadow vistas of brightly colored flower beds which (in certain places) can stretch for tens of miles (example: Carrizo Plain national monument)! Just have to be there to experience it.

So if you're asking for determining where to visit, North isn't necessarily better than South, visit both! For determining where to live, North for sure.

[RockhetHD]

Originally Posted by jeffredo

Southern California isn't ugly by any stretch, but I prefer the central and northern coastline and northern Sierra Nevada. Short run down of Central and North State things:

Sierra Gold Country
High Sierra
Big Sur
Monterey Bay
San Francisco Bay
Clear Lake
"Lost Coast"
Trinity Alps
Northern Rivers (Sacramento, Feather, Trinity, etc...)
Lake Tahoe
National Parks such as Redwoods, Lassen Volcanic, Yosemite, Sequoia, Kings.
Mono Lake
Eastern Sierra

There really are too many things to list. Traveled around a fair bit and Northern California is one of the most beautiful places in the world.

How far is Lost Coast from SD? 10 hours? which county is it in? I have been mean to make a camping trip there!

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by RockhetHD

How far is Lost Coast from SD? 10 hours? which county is it in? I have been mean to make a camping trip there!

SD to Mendocino, in the county of the same name and roughly 11 hours (670 miles).

[SloRoller]

Northern California, hands down. I'm a SoCal native, lived there 40 years; lived in Northern California for 13 years. Los Angeles is where the heart is but the Bay Area is a more scenic place to live.

[04kL4nD]

Both are awesome. California is beautiful PERIOD. [/thread]