Is there a unique California culture? If so, how would you describe it? (San Diego: middle-class, houses)

[Davecali]

Originally Posted by Csonka

there is a whiff of cowboy in California culture

no matter where you go, it's there, at least among the people / their families who have lived here a while

You are 100% correct. My family were ranchers.

[Davecali]

But the new idea that Mexican immigrants are so called, retaking or reclaiming California is confusing and misguided. The vast majority of Mexican immigrants entering California are impoverished immigrants, they are of the the poorest economic groups in California. Historically the so called Mexicans who originally settled California were largely wealthy Spanish hacienda landowners who received vast and obscenely large grants of land from the Spanish crown, I’m talking millions of acres per hacienda in many cases. They came to California from Spain via Mexico which was New Spain in the 18th century and were frequently from the Spanish noble classes in Europe. They were NOT modern day impoverished Mexican immigrants so the idea that Mexicans are taking back what is theirs is ludicrous. Lol
These wealthy Spanish hacienda owners lost their land to the USA after it entered as a territory. Factual history not immigrant fantasy.

[Csonka]

Originally Posted by Davecali

But the new idea that Mexican immigrants are so called, retaking or reclaiming California is confusing and misguided. The vast majority of Mexican immigrants entering California are impoverished immigrants, they are of the the poorest economic groups in California. Historically the so called Mexicans who originally settled California were largely wealthy Spanish hacienda landowners who received vast and obscenely large grants of land from the Spanish crown, I’m talking millions of acres per hacienda in many cases. They came to California from Spain via Mexico which was New Spain in the 18th century and were frequently from the Spanish noble classes in Europe. They were NOT modern day impoverished Mexican immigrants so the idea that Mexicans are taking back what is theirs is ludicrous. Lol
These wealthy Spanish hacienda owners lost their land to the USA after it entered as a territory. Factual history not immigrant fantasy.

Yep and why i laugh at the reconquista types

they think Mexican ownership of parts of the USA means poor Mexicans owned it and that they are only reclaiming what was taken from them

pure fantasy. The rich Spaniards who owned parts of the USA wanted nothing to do with them

[Davecali]

Originally Posted by Csonka

Yep and why i laugh at the reconquista types

they think Mexican ownership of parts of the USA means poor Mexicans owned it and that they are only reclaiming what was taken from them

pure fantasy. The rich Spaniards who owned parts of the USA wanted nothing to do with them

In early California or rather the history of Alta California which is where we are today, society was rigidly classed as in Europe and all of Latin America. The only people who really owned anything of any value were Spanish here or the hacienda owners. The rest were The lower classes mestizos and indigenous. In reality, Mexican immigrants to California today are sadly returning to the same position in society they occupied in the 18th century, the lowest class. This is far from some fantasy of retaking back something that belonged to the upper classes.

[aileesic]

People also forget about the military presence. If you are a CA native and get transferred out to the middle of nowhere and other places you would rather not live, life will have to suck for a while until you can get back home.

Some people claim to never regret leaving California. Some people regret it a lot.

[Csonka]

Originally Posted by Davecali

In early California or rather the history of Alta California which is where we are today, society was rigidly classed as in Europe and all of Latin America. The only people who really owned anything of any value were Spanish here or the hacienda owners. The rest were The lower classes mestizos and indigenous. In reality, Mexican immigrants to California today are sadly returning to the same position in society they occupied in the 18th century, the lowest class. This is far from some fantasy of retaking back something that belonged to the upper classes.

100% in agreement

[Electrician4you]

Originally Posted by Csonka

there is a whiff of cowboy in California culture

no matter where you go, it's there, at least among the people / their families who have lived here a while

Once you get out of big city or suburbia there is a lot of fruit growing, grapes for wine and eating, ranching Beef or milk cows and general farming like hay strawberries etc in California.
Most people think california is LA San Diego San Francisco or OC the rest is desert and sand.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by Davecali

But the new idea that Mexican immigrants are so called, retaking or reclaiming California is confusing and misguided. The vast majority of Mexican immigrants entering California are impoverished immigrants, they are of the the poorest economic groups in California. Historically the so called Mexicans who originally settled California were largely wealthy Spanish hacienda landowners who received vast and obscenely large grants of land from the Spanish crown, I’m talking millions of acres per hacienda in many cases. They came to California from Spain via Mexico which was New Spain in the 18th century and were frequently from the Spanish noble classes in Europe. They were NOT modern day impoverished Mexican immigrants so the idea that Mexicans are taking back what is theirs is ludicrous. Lol
These wealthy Spanish hacienda owners lost their land to the USA after it entered as a territory. Factual history not immigrant fantasy.

An interesting side note; the land grants that were made in New Mexico are still in force. The original families never lost the land. In CA, they were dispossessed of their land (in spite of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, as I'm sure you know), because of the gold rush, and because of that beautiful coastline, with so much potential to develop port cities. It was highly coveted land. Nobody (among the gringos) cared about land grants out in the middle of a desert in NM.

But it's good farmland out there, surprisingly. And the old irrigation systems from 400 years ago are still in use. In some ways, visiting New Mexico is like going back in time, to experience aspects of California life that are long, long past in California.

[Fontucky]

Originally Posted by Davecali

But the new idea that Mexican immigrants are so called, retaking or reclaiming California is confusing and misguided.

My most reliable tenants are traditional Mexican families.

[CaliRestoration]

Rich People - entrepreneurs/athletes/actors, these are the only people really experiencing the typical Hollywood portrayal of California living. Coastal living (La Jolla, Laguna Beach, Corona Del Mar, Malibu), eat anywhere and everywhere, enjoying a yacht outing or fishing trip on their own boat, home larger than 5,000 sqft. Owns an exotic car or two. Vacations 1-2 a year to popular destinations. They don't worry for the most part about the high tax environment, it's literally nothing to them. Many have been retired since their 30s and 40s and never have to work again. This is probably less than 1% of the population.

Middle Class - higher earning W2 worker, state worker, some pensioners, small business owner. These types are always on the fence about staying or leaving California. Most of them are not struggling but they aren't living the Hollywood image of the California lifestyle. Most of them live inland (Riverside, Aliso Viejo, Concord, Lakewood, Sacramento, these type of communities). They probably own a decent 2,500 sqft and under home, 2 cars. They make just enough to pay all the bills with some left over. They don't own a boat larger than 20 feet for the most part, and their biggest worries are the increasing property taxes, and income taxes, their two biggest expenses during the year. Some may earn enough to take a decent vacation every two or three years. Many in this group will work well into their 60s. This group is around 12-15% of the population.

The Poors - Part timers, students, blue collars, retail and hospitality workers, struggling actors, some pensioners, etc. These types are constantly on the verge of going homeless (and have probably spent some time being homeless in California). Those that earn a paycheck live 4-5 (or more) people in an apartment meant for two, they bunk up, and try to make things works. Some don't even own a vehicle relying 100% on a bike and public transportation. They barely make enough to cover bills, they don't save much if any money. Most haven't been on a vacation in years, if ever. Staycations are just a way of life. Highly dependent on state handouts and subsidies. Retirement? A dream. This is the majority of the California population.

Homeless and Illegals - Pretty much lawless and answer to no one. Most break any number of laws everyday without real punishments or penalties being levied. They can live anywhere; at your kid's playground, they can "live on the coast" as in they sleep at the beach with their bag of belongings hoping not to get caught by park rangers. The state provides them with money, drugs, and free hotel stays which are funded by the above 3 groups. The majority of them will never ever become productive members of society.

Those are the California cultures/lifestyles in a nut shell for any of the major metro areas.