In my short time living in Montana, I have learned that there are many negative opinions of California that dwell in the minds of Montana natives. Though I have fallen in love with Big Sky Country, I will always be California born and raised. Below are 5 excellent reasons why those who have not experienced the Golden State, should not be so quick to judge. There is a reason why almost 40 million people reside here.

1. Yes. There ARE mountains. Whether they are in the Sierra Nevada's, the Santa Ana Mountains, or the Santa Cruz Mountains, there are many many places to enjoy hiking, trail riding, camping, and much more.

2. California is very fortunate to have gorgeous beaches. There are 840 miles of coastline and each beach is unique from the rest. Whether it is the rocky shores in San Francisco, the white sand in Carmel or the warm shores in La Jolla, the west coast is something everyone should be graced by.

3. We have seasons! Yes, there is snow and lots of it. Contrary to belief, California is not one huge beach where its always 70 degrees. Lake Tahoe, one of the more famous vacation spots in Northern California, has 3 world class ski resorts which include: Heavenly, North Star, and Squaw Valley. Skiing and snowboarding are popular here in the winter. While it may not reach 20 below, freezing temperatures are easily achievable.

4. There is a lot of diversity. One of the biggest changes about moving from the Bay Area to Montana is that there is hardly any diversity. Not that this is wrong but throughout California, there are many different races and cultures, it is quite fascinating. Not only does this mean many cultural festivals, but it also means delicious ethnic restaurants. San Francisco, in particular, holds my favorite authentic cuisines. The idea that so many different types of people can, (for the most part) live in harmony is worth witnessing.

5. California may not be as overcrowded and industrial as you think. In spite of the traffic and big cities, there are plenty of country roads, and small towns to enjoy. The state is also largely influenced by agriculture, devoting much of its land and resources to growing crops. The central valley alone is responsible for growing: hay, cotton, walnuts, citrus fruits, grapes, and avocados.

Hopefully after reading these 5 key points, one will see that California is more similar to Montana than previously assumed, One thing I've found that when visiting new places, instead of focusing on what is different, it is best to focus on what is similar.