5 Signs That You Live in San Diego
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

5 Signs That You Live in San Diego

8
5 Signs That You Live in San Diego

Growing up in San Diego, California has been amazing. However, it wasn't until college when I moved to Fort Worth, Texas, and then Boulder, Colorado, that I realized how different life in San Diego is from anywhere I have lived.

After being home in sunny San Diego for the summer, I have come up with five of the most pronounced Southern California quirks that any out of towner will be able to identify right off the bat. 

1. Your daily drive to school means you are able to give your own surf report.

 For most people, heading to summer school at 8 AM every morning sounds horrible. While I admit, sitting in a classroom for 8 hours during prime beach time is not ideal, the drive to class is almost worth those extra credits (key word almost). I have lived in San Diego for practically my whole life, yet I still can not help but feel like I’m in The Endless Summer film as I cruise the 101 with the windows down, music up, and waves crashing to my right. Then, I pull into the Mira Costa Community College parking lot as if I’m on the receiving end of a cruel joke. I’m late to class once again. 

2.Food is not a means to survival, but a way of life.

California burritos, Board N Brew, In N Out, Acai Bowls…You name it, San Diego’s got it. Living only 30 minutes from the border of Mexico means San Diego is home to Southern California’s best hole-in-the-wall Taco Shops, including, but not limited to, Roberto’s, Karina’s, Juanita’s, and Kotija, all of which are within a five minute walking radius from my house (dangerous, I know). 

3.Traffic is inevitable.

I have never fully realized the potential that southern California traffic has to make you go crazy until I experienced the 9-5 commute for my internship this summer. The second my boss gives the okay to head home for the night, my joy is immediately crushed the moment I pull onto the freeway, or as we Californians call it, “The Five”.  A drive that would normally take me 15 minutes has now turned into a 40-minute social hour on the freeway (No joke, my mom has gotten someone’s business card while stuck in traffic next to them). 

4.Surfer bros and beach babes are not just in the movies.

You know you’ve arrived in San Diego when you’re surrounded by bleach blondes and surfer’s with hair almost as long as their girlfriends. Crew socks and vans are a must and terms like bro, dude, epic, shaka, chill, get pitted and dawn patrol are just a few of the most commonly utilized vernacular. These bros, and their babes, spend majority of the day at the beach and sport too tanned skin, a surfboard in one hand and a towel in the other. Life’s a beach when you’re a part of the bro culture. 

5. Hipsters and festivals are common.

Slightly different than the surfer crowd are your festival lovers, or people who frequent “festies”. These hippiesque trendsetters, when not shopping at Free People, Urban Outfitters, or some other vintage boutique, can be found at your local coffee shop, probably Pannikin (an old train station painted bright yellow and converted into a 101 coffee haven) socializing with their other flower halo friends while drinking chai tea and discussing next years line up at Coachella. 

While these are just a few of the many quirks of living in San Diego, it is safe to say that "America's Finest City" has a unique culture that is not easily mimicked elsewhere. If you are looking for a break from your daily routine than I suggest saving up and making the trip to the Golden Coast where the burritos are always bigger and the beaches are always sandier. But fair warning, you might end up like many other wanderers who have happened across this paradise of a city and been seduced into a life long  San Diego staycation. 

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

58382
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

37607
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

959220
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

193520
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments