Everything about California is great. There’s good food, beautiful views, fun things to do. Here are just a few things. There is a strong divide between Southern California and Northern California, as a born and raised SoCal girl, here are just a few of the defining factors of home I know and love.

Nostalgia hits when the ocean is mentioned.

Swimming, boating, paddling, surfing you name it the ocean is a happy place for most SoCal natives.

You don’t ever use “I” to describe a freeway.

It is the 5 not the I-5, the 405 not the I-405

The air is different.

It really is fresher, probably from that beautiful ocean again.

Gnarly is an actual word you say.

Just like “dude” and “awesome”, the stereotypical “gnarly dude” surfer language is definitely real.

No one says "Cali."

No. One.

L.A and San Diego are day trips to adventure.

Even if you are from these beautiful cities they are so big it's still fun to take a day to explore.

Palm Trees are everywhere.

Really good Mexican food.

It is extremely rare not to walk into a Mexican restaurant and not feel.

Really good seafood.

Sushi is actually fresh not frozen. Thank God for that ocean again.

Avocados.

They are cheap, they are big, and they are on everything. Making all food heavenly.

You can name every beach in your town and the hidden ways to get there.

For people from Orange County just a few are T-Street, The Hole, Rivi, The Pier,

There’s sand in your car constantly.

And your bed, and your clothes, and your hair.

You did or know someone who did Junior Lifeguards.

Endless hours playing on the beach learning cool things about.

You are a bit more laid back than the rest of the world.

Especially if you meet someone from the east coast.

You’re an amazing driver.

Unless you are from L.A.

You know all about traffic.

Five p.m. is Armageddon.

For girls: wearing makeup is a rare occasion.

You could say you are going for a “beachy look” but really it’s laziness. You’ve grown up never really needing to wear it so even now it doesn’t seem a priority.

You miss the California life.