IMHO California's climate is overrated (San Francisco, Concord: purchase, areas, cockroaches)

[dalparadise]

Originally Posted by 80skeys

The no-insect thing is good, but unfortunately I think it's an artifically created situation (regular spraying of pesticides). Regarding the clear air, this is true. What I was told was it has to do with the prevailing wind patterns which push the air from Northern California downwards into the Central Valley and Southern California. So the pollution is pushed away. I'm not sure how much pollution there would be if it weren't for this.... Smog laws and regulations are pretty stringent and seem to be effective...



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I believe you are mistaken about the reason for the lack of insects. It is not due to pesticides. It has to do with the same reason the air is so clear (which you correctly stated) and the temperature is so evenly moderate-- the prevailing westerly breeze off the ocean, the Bay, and the geography of the area, which acts as channels for wind.

The climate is not conducive to most insects in the first place, but they don't live over the Pacific at all. The constant wind push inland and the long, wide bay act as a wall against most insects, which are present farther inland. When it heats up and the wind shifts out of the Delta, for a few weeks per year, I do see some insects in the area.

[Mini-apple-less]

Originally Posted by dalparadise

I believe you are mistaken about the reason for the lack of insects. It is not due to pesticides. It has to do with the same reason the air is so clear (which you correctly stated) and the temperature is so evenly moderate-- the prevailing westerly breeze off the ocean, the Bay, and the geography of the area, which acts as channels for wind.

The climate is not conducive to most insects in the first place, but they don't live over the Pacific at all. The constant wind push inland and the long, wide bay act as a wall against most insects, which are present farther inland. When it heats up and the wind shifts out of the Delta, for a few weeks per year, I do see some insects in the area.

California lacks insects? That's news to me. Growing up in the Bay Area I remember swarms of ants everywhere, as well as lots of cockroaches and wasps.

[i_love_autumn]

Originally Posted by valsteele

California lacks insects? That's news to me. Growing up in the Bay Area I remember swarms of ants everywhere, as well as lots of cockroaches and wasps.

Was wondering about that since Californians post so often like it's gospel truth that California is bug-free,no-bugs,and I forget how many variations of this claim,so it's a "lie",huh?

[Tulemutt]

There's some bugs. Sorta.
As a Minnesota transplant I assure you there's no comparison.

Although, fair would mention: the Delta ranks for mosquitoes. Honorable Mention status at best. But it qualifies in the evenings.

[AnthonyJ34]

Originally Posted by valsteele

I'd say somewhere like Boston or Toronto. Four seasons and not too much summer. Sweden would be great too.

I agree with you. I was born and raised in 'sunny Southern California,' and I've never liked the long, hot, dry summers and lack of rainfall here. And I only live about 8 miles from the nearest beach (I'm in Cerritos), so it doesn't get nearly as hot here as it does further inland.

When I go to San Francisco -- I am in heaven there. I love cool, crisp, and cloudy. Rain and snow are nice as well, too.

[AnthonyJ34]

Originally Posted by JRichards1996

I can't speak for SoCal but NorCal's climate is overrated. In the Bay Area our climate is cold, cloudy, and overcast for about 70% of the entire year. I call it the land of the perpetual autumn. We're lucky if we get a few hot summer days. You have to wear sweatshirts almost everyday and it's hard to get a good tan.

That sounds lovely to me. Sweater-weather is awesome. And sun exposure prematurely ages the skin -- so why bother tanning?

[AnthonyJ34]

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

Since you clearly have very negative opinions and perceptions of the state as a whole and since you've achieved that magic, vaunted age of 18 and nominal adulthood, why do you still live there?

Harsh.

[Mini-apple-less]

Originally Posted by Tulemutt

There's some bugs. Sorta.
As a Minnesota transplant I assure you there's no comparison.

Although, fair would mention: the Delta ranks for mosquitoes. Honorable Mention status at best. But it qualifies in the evenings.

Another difference is that unlike Minnesota the Bay Area has insects year-round.

[Tulemutt]

Originally Posted by valsteele

Another difference is that unlike Minnesota the Bay Area has insects year-round.

Oh noes! A little bug!
And, unlike Minnesota, you can enjoy being outside more than four months a year - in spite of the occasional ant. There's a reason bugs disappear much of the year in Minnesota.

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by AnthonyJ34

Harsh.

Yeah. Somewhat. At issue is constant complaint without remedial action. Then there's the complaint after remedial action which I was guilty of for a time.

On the matter of bugs, California has spiders as well. In addition to black widows there are also the ever popular brown recluses. My wife was bitten by one or a close cousin in Sacramento and has a permanent scar from it.