Is Northern or Southern California the "real" California? (San Francisco: living in, beaches)

[iPwn]

Southern California is probably people's idea of California more, but I think nowhere is as truly Californian as the Bay Area, of course being a San Francisco native and growing up in the suburbs I'm biased, but after all, San Francisco was where the Gold Rush wealth went, and Southern California arguably has more history in common with Arizona and New Mexico as it didn't really become Americanized until the early 1900s.

[sav858]

I'm a Bay Area native who has been living in Southern CA for the last 7 years and they are both the REAL California. The state wouldn't be what it is w/o the other. SoCal is a little more the OUTSIDERS stereotypical image of CA with Hollywood, the sun, palm trees, weather, beaches, surfers, etc.. But Northern CA with SF, the GG Bridge, Lake Tahoe, Redwood Forests, Wine County, etc...are just as much as part of the CA landscape and lifestyle as much as the characteristics of SoCal. It's too bad some people in this state are so biased b/c each part has good and bad points and they both make CA what it is.

Also you need to learn your history a little better if you think Southern CA didn't become "Americanized" until the 1900's.

[NYSD1995]

They are both the real California... but someone from Norcal will say otherwise... *runs, ducks*

[LoneStarJerry]

I don't like to divide them, yes they are both different, but that's what's so great about California. It offers a wide variety of scenery, climate, culture, etc.

[sonarrat]

I've lived in Northern California all my life.. they're both the real California, whatever that means. Often imitated but never duplicated.

[EscapeCalifornia]

It depends on what aspect of California you consider real. SoCal has more sunny weather, smog, crowds, and Hollywood. Northern California has more Birkenstock wearing granola eaters.

[18Montclair]

They are both the real California.

Our state is too diverse and multidimentional to be defined by just one area. Heck even with SoCal and NorCal, there are several distinct subregions.

[orangeapple]

And the question shows no bias - like, duh!

I think the diversity and variety is what makes Cali. There are even big differences between all the counties in SoCal.
I grew up in SoCal, but some of my best childhood memories are from the trips we took to central coast, and it still felt like Cali to me.

[LASam]

All of California is the "real" California...

[FresnoFacts]

I think all of California is the real California.

But back in 1991, Time Magazine called Fresno "The Last Real California".
Close-Up: Two Boom Towns Fresno the Last Real California - TIME
The way Time put it was "If loopy optimism and defiance of the odds are what made this state in the first place, then un-Californian Fresno may be the last real California left."

I don't know if I would say that Fresno is the last "real California". I think it exists elsewhere in the state too.

But "loopy optimism and defiance of the odds"? Yep that is a pretty good view of what made California. If we ever lose that then California is really in trouble.