What's your favorite state in the US? (best, photo, road trip)

[swzish]

I've traveled around 25 states in the US (I know I'm lucky I'm only 18), and I gotta say I love California. I don't want to be biased since I'm originally from San Francisco, but I just love the the weather, the beaches, palm trees, the ocean, the laidback nature of people, etc., all the way from NorCal to SoCal. There's Disneyland, Magic Mountain, SeaWorld, and many other things. There's Lake Tahoe, Yosemite, Napa Valley, etc. We have great colleges too. I feel like California is almost its own country. More importantly, growing up in such a diverse atmosphere is amazing. Being surrounded by people of all different colors and backgrounds is something I took for granted especially when I visited other states and realized that I was constantly being stared at / made fun of for being the token minority. California may not be the best place to live in though, since our state is dirt poor and politically corrupt, lol.

I'm sure others have differing opinions and have great things to say about other states, so what is yours?

[burgler09]

Originally Posted by swzish

I've traveled around 25 states in the US (I know I'm lucky I'm only 18), and I gotta say I love California. I don't want to be biased since I'm originally from San Francisco, but I just love the the weather, the beaches, palm trees, the ocean, the laidback nature of people, etc., all the way from NorCal to SoCal. There's Disneyland, Magic Mountain, SeaWorld, and many other things. There's Lake Tahoe, Yosemite, Napa Valley, etc. We have great colleges too. I feel like California is almost its own country. More importantly, growing up in such a diverse atmosphere is amazing. Being surrounded by people of all different colors and backgrounds is something I took for granted especially when I visited other states and realized that I was constantly being stared at / made fun of for being the token minority. California may not be the best place to live in though, since our state is dirt poor and politically corrupt, lol.

I'm sure others have differing opinions and have great things to say about other states, so what is yours?

If you're constantly getting stared at you are probably being weird. My favorite state is Florida.

[jtur88]

I think you're right about California. Any American who doesn't spend a year living in California is missing out on an American experience. One could probably say that about New York City, too. Because of the Media's concentration on lifestyles that are so Calicentric and Newyorkcentric, one really needs to spend some time as a part of those cultures to really comprehend movies and TV and identify with them.

And, as you say about California, the landscape and climate and culture are so varied, it is a whole world encapsulated in one small area. That doesn't make it my favorite state, but it's one my life would be incomplete without. If the whole world consisted of only California, I know I'd find a place there. I can't say that about North Dakota, which is actually my favorite state.

[Charles]

California by far.

[MAK802]

The natural beauty in CA is astounding. We moved here 2 years ago from the right coast and haven't looked back. I've been to 48 states and not one of them comes even close to CA. Love it here!

[Charles]

Originally Posted by MAK802

We moved here 2 years ago from the right coast

Which contributes to one of the bummers of California.

[MAK802]

Originally Posted by Charles

Which contributes to one of the bummers of California.

We don't have that problem here in San Diego. It's all in the LA/OC area and we have no desire to ever go there! LA is nasty and full of smog, not my cup of tea!

And I find it amusing when CA people complain about traffic....move to North Jersey/NYC for a year and then we'll talk!

[jtur88]

Originally Posted by swzish

I've traveled around 25 states in the US (I know I'm lucky I'm only 18),

I didn't get to my 48th (VT) until I was 23, and by 18 I was in 22 of them. So you're right on a good schedule, I think the last one I went on my own (without Dad driving) was Nebraska, at age 29.

[SunJoaquin]

I've been to only 10 states but I'd have to pick California hands down.

[lilred0005]

Originally Posted by jtur88

I didn't get to my 48th (VT) until I was 23, and by 18 I was in 22 of them. So you're right on a good schedule, I think the last one I went on my own (without Dad driving) was Nebraska, at age 29.

So, I'm very curious, could you explain why North Dakota is your favorite? I've always wanted to see N.D.

I've been to 23 states, all before age 30. I absolutely love to travel. One of my biggest dreams is to take a month and road trip across the U.S., gotta go by car. I probably will only be able to hit the Lower 48 but hopefully I will make it to AK and HI eventually(esp. AK).

My favorite, tough decision, it's a tie between Vermont and Maine. I love New England, esp. Northern(VT, NH, ME) New England. I love the mountains and the thickly wooded areas. I've seen my own state's natural beauty destroyed by rabid overdevelopment and sprawl. I has become the land of concrete and it's so sad. How many condos and strip malls does one area need? Half the time the new construction sits empty. Sadly, after they ruined my part of Fl, they are now doing the same in Western NC and Eastern TN. I think this is why I love the rural, forested states like ME, NH, VT so much. Next year I will be moving to a rural area, the U.P. of MI, so maybe that will become my fave.