Ca natives who have moved to another state: what do you miss? (San Diego: house, to buy)

[Fontucky]

Both times I left (the first time for my military hitch, the second time for a few years in Eastern WA) I missed the following:

• Non-humid Summers (this is when I was in the Southeast and overseas)
• Good Mexican food
• Oddly enough, Santa Ana winds
• Eucalyptus trees
• The smell of chaparral and creosote bushes

[Curmudgeon]

I'm 'sposed ta miss sumpin' 'bout Californy?

Actually, I do. I miss the ocean having been born, brought up on and lived close to it most of my life. I miss good taquerias and the ability to find many other ethnic restaurants; especially when they're all within walking distance of one another. I miss being able to walk a block and a half and get really good chili rellenos to bring home for Sunday brunch. An In-N-Out would be nice as well. What's really missing is really good, Chinese take-out (delivery is even better) and a large variety of great dim sum for those Sunday mornings we want a change from the rellenos. We used to go to the Sunday farmers market then pick up the dim sum on the way home.

Come to think of it, I miss close-by farmers markets. I think the closest one to us is about 50 miles away. Now that I've mentioned delivery, the thought occurs that there is no food delivery out here in the boonies except for Schwan's. That's not the same.

CA decidedly has a lot to offer. Living here is very different but still enjoyable. There are always trade-offs.

As an example of just how convenient CA can be. I could take our Honda to any one of three or four close-by dealers to have it serviced. Max travel time about 20 minutes. Tomorrow I have to drive 60 miles and over an hour to do the same.

[breeze823]

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

I'm 'sposed ta miss sumpin' 'bout Californy?

Actually, I do. I miss the ocean having been born, brought up on and lived close to it most of my life. I miss good taquerias and the ability to find many other ethnic restaurants; especially when they're all within walking distance of one another. I miss being able to walk a block and a half and get really good chili rellenos to bring home for Sunday brunch. An In-N-Out would be nice as well. What's really missing is really good, Chinese take-out (delivery is even better) and a large variety of great dim sum for those Sunday mornings we want a change from the rellenos. We used to go to the Sunday farmers market then pick up the dim sum on the way home.

Come to think of it, I miss close-by farmers markets. I think the closest one to us is about 50 miles away. Now that I've mentioned delivery, the thought occurs that there is no food delivery out here in the boonies except for Schwan's. That's not the same.

Like Fontucky, I also miss the non-humid summer weather, and add the delta breezes in Sacramento which cooled the evenings. For some strange reason, I, too, miss the Santa Ana winds from my childhood in Newport Beach.

CA decidedly has a lot to offer. Living here is very different but still enjoyable. There are always trade-offs.

isn't it funny how a 30 minute drive to go to the grocery store is nothing now? lol

[breeze823]

Originally Posted by Fontucky

Both times I left (the first time for my military hitch, the second time for a few years in Eastern WA) I missed the following:

• Non-humid Summers (this is when I was in the Southeast and overseas)
• Good Mexican food
• Oddly enough, Santa Ana winds
• Eucalyptus trees
• The smell of chaparral and creosote bushes

I miss Santa Ana winds too! Funny, when we watch the movie The Holiday and they are talking about Santa Ana winds, it makes me homesick! And I LOVE the smell of Eucalyptus!

[Fontucky]

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

I'm 'sposed ta miss sumpin' 'bout Californy?

Yeah, full sets of teeth....

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by breeze823

isn't it funny how a 30 minute drive to go to the grocery store is nothing now? lol

Yup. It's just how you do business. Eucalyptus trees do smell wonderful but I REALLY miss the scent of orange blossoms and the fruit that used to waft all through Orange County back in the day when it was mostly orchards.

Originally Posted by Fontucky

Yeah, full sets of teeth....

Aw, shucks. Then people wouldn't have such an easy time pickin' out the real hillbillies and we'd lose that tourist revenue.

[Fontucky]

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

I REALLY miss the scent of orange blossoms and the fruit that used to waft all through Orange County back in the day when it was mostly orchards.

I can fill that bill with the citrus trees on my property rat cheah in ol Fontanny.

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by Fontucky

I can fill that bill with the citrus trees on my property rat cheah in ol Fontanny.

Nuthin' better! Wonder if there are ANY left in OC.

[calisnuffy]

Some other things that I miss when I am abroad:

1. Bay Area weather, crispy ocean air, proper hiking/mountain biking
2. The food, good taqurias are few and far between when traveling abroad
3.Unique California landscape and all it offers, the flora and fauna, the sights and smells of the Mountains, Valley(not the smells), and the Bay Area.
4. Good Vietnamese and Asian food, this one cannot be understated.

[slo1318]

Im pretty typical I guess.
I miss the ocean, the smell of the ocean, the sand on my feet, the tide pools. The "wow" coming over the hill and seeing the mighty Pacific and feeling the cool breeze hit your face like air conditioning. I miss wearing shorts and flip/flops in February. I miss coastal micro climates, being hot at day time and needing a sweat shirt at night. I miss bbq tri tip. I miss dutch crunch bread. I miss good sourdough bread. I miss the smell of agriculture, wild flowers & herbs, and fresh fruit. The access and availability of very high quality produce, and festivals for this and that veggie or fruit. I miss being able have the choice on a weekend to be in drastically different places. Do you want an weekend urban getaway in San Fran? or Carmel? or Napa? or Santa Barbara or Tahoe, or Palm Springs? or San Diego? Redwoods?
I could go on, but.......there are things I dont miss to, but thats not what this thread is all about.