Where I live in SoCal the beach is hardly an hour away from me and so is the mountains like Big Bear which is actually currently snowy. You can literally see the snowy tops of mountains while also enjoying the heat of a 90 degree day!
NorCal, Bay Area. It's the same here. Especially if you're taking Bart or bus or commuting on traffic-prone freeways. Distance is irrelevant. Time is of the essence. I know nada north of Sac.
Yeah, miles become meaningless on the freeways. Time to destination is a better measurement, since it's entirely dependent on the time of day that you leave.
Monterey Bay area for adults too - some of the best municipal golf courses anywhere, gorgeous coastlines, wine tasting in Carmel Valley, tons of history (former capital of CA and location of the signing of the state constitution), art galleries on every corner in Carmel, amazing hiking locations, and so much more. Just get your group to cross the street together rather than occupying the whole crosswalk.
SF the rent is so high and the average house cost, unemployment rate is really high, handing out needles to homeless people, shit on the street. But oh wait we have apple and the bridge so it's fine. LA is the same thing too except for less shit and a little less needles but has more crime.
As someone who has driven from San Francisco to outside LA before it is easily a 7 hour drive if you take a break, before traffic. That said if your willing to take the time the view along the coast is well worth it!
🍷Mark did a great job promoting California beer (750+ craft breweries) but didn't mention wine. There are 4300+ wineries in California producing over 80% of the country's wine. The state by itself is the 4th leading producer of wine behind France, Italy and Spain. And the wine has been world class since the '70s so international visitors should definitely give a bottle or two a try or even hit up a local winery. 🍷
Tosh T I actually noticed that while I was editing the video. I couldn't figure out why I never even mentioned the wine once? I'm getting slow in my old age. Thanks for putting me in my place.
+Wolters World I'm being honest about you doing a *_great_* job promoting craft beer. Very happy you're all over it since the U.S. gets grief for drinking watery light lagers (sales do not lie). Before my wine comment, I looked at your must eats video and it's apparent most of your dining in SD paired with beer and tequila. Not a bad thing. Wine just wasn't top of mind which it may be in San Francisco when that trip happens. 😀👍
I'm a Californian born and raised in the Bay Area and I wholeheartedly approve this video. Everything you said was spot on Mark. Love, love, love this state, I've traveled the world, but will always come home to beautiful Cali!
I live in Fresno, California. Not a tourist city at all, but I feel glad to be in the center of California with S.F, Yosemite and Sequoia National Park, Los Angeles, and the beach in such close proximity.
I too live in Fresno. Not known as a tourist place but our central location does have its benefits. One weekend the central coast (SLO, Pismo, Santa Barbra) the next weekend Sequoia or Kings Canyon national parks). Also one of the few places in California where housing is affordable!
@@jessemartinez9279 For now... ☹️ Also, even if it's _relatively_ affordable (compared to other parts of the state) it's still more than housing outside the state.
if you live in Fresno the 1st thing you wanna do is move out! living in Fresno was horrible with too much crime and i was there only 3 months and my car was broken into and they took everything even my stereo and speakers. a month later they came back for the rest of my car! also the police never found my car and were not very helpful! so much for forced car insurance bcoz they gave me less than what my car was worth! i paid more into my auto insurance than they gave me for my car! insurances are a scam that need to corrected!!!
I'm San Francisco and I can honestly say that Fresno is super appealing because of the housing costs. You can buy huge house relatively cheap as opposed to what you get in the Bay.
I lived in San Francisco and on the peninsula. My advice to tourists is stay in San Jose or the east bay and take the CalTrans train or BART to The City (San Francisco). 'Cause you really do not want to drive in The City. And you really, really, really do not want to park in The City. The City has good public transportation. Plus The City is small enough that you can walk across it in a morning. (I have done that.)
My best friend lives there and we walked the whole city one of the nights I was there...it was a little sketchy, but really beautiful. All the Belle Epoque, Victorian and 1920s architecture totally blew my mind. I'm originally from San Diego and it's so interesting how different and similar the vibe is
I was raised in Northern California and on the Oregon coast. The most epic, most beautiful drive ever is to start at, and explore the incredible beauty of the Redwoods then drive North, following the coast all the up to the Canadian border. There are no words to describe how incredible the drive is, how charming all the seaside towns are, how stunning the coast is, how amazing the history. I highly recommend the drive, it's so worth it.
Thank you for talking about this! I do recommend going to Kings Canyon National Park. It’s so beautiful and lots of hiking trails, it kinda makes me sad that little people know about it.
You did a good job, Mark, in capturing the good and the ugly of California. Lived here most of my life and you talked like a native. Nice job - makes me trust your comments on all those places I haven't been to yet even more.
Thank you Elsa. I would love to get back to California to spend more time in the Northern part of the state. Hoping to take the family early next year to get back. I really enjoyed California.
At 3:52 you mention how California should be three separate states and actually there was an attempt to have a vote in breaking the state up recently. It never had a chance and was struck down by the legislature because of how stupid it was, but still I laughed when you brought it up Wolter.
There were enough signatures to put the decision of splitting the state on the ballot as Proposition 9. The challenge to Proposition 9's validity was brought to the court by the Planning and Conservation League, an organization with a goal of protecting "California from the destruction caused by fast-paced and poorly planned developments". The California Supreme Court unanimously ruled to remove Proposition 9 from the ballot saying the Court usually allows Californians to vote on ballot measures before assessing any constitutional challenges. However, in this case, the justices noted that there were “significant questions regarding the proposition’s validity” and argued that the “hardships from permitting an invalid measure to remain on the ballot outweigh the harm potentially posed by delaying a proposition to a future election.” The biggest question swirling around Proposition 9-and other measures like it-is whether California voters have the authority to break up the state, thereby abolishing its constitution and existing laws in the process of creating new states. It is also unclear whether Proposition 9 counts as a revision to the California constitution, which cannot be implemented through a ballot initiative. The Planning and Conservation League said Proposition 9 would have caused “chaos in [California’s] public services including safeguarding our environment … all to satisfy the whims of one billionaire.” The initiative, sponsored by Silicon Valley billionaire venture capitalist Tim Draper, sought to split California into three separate states. Proposition 9 is the second unsuccessful attempt in the past several years to break up the nation’s most populous state and the world’s fifth-largest economy. In 2014, Draper launched a campaign to split California into six states, but he failed to garner enough valid signatures to get his measure on the 2016 ballot as an initiative constitutional amendment.
Overlooked thing you'll love about California: the Central Coast. Santa Barbara is the big town, but you also have San Luis Obispo, Pismo Beach, Morro Bay. All very beautiful with no tourist overcrowding. Take advantage of the overlooked quality and have practically the whole area to yourselves. Beaches, shopping, hiking, great food, missions, great wine, everything great about CA.
I've been fortunate enough to have been in California twice already, even though I'm a 17 year old Swiss and I absolutely loved it! I travelled around the state on one of my visits and it was amazing to see all the different places in this beautiful state👍 Great Video as always Mark😄
This is the video I've been waiting for! I'm planning to move from Frankfurt (Germany) to California, so I would love to know more and more about this place :D
I would also recommend to take insurance with you the ADAC ends up cheaper (including membership fees) if you have a budget to stretch until you get a refund on hand then anything I saw in non employer covered America ensureance 😉
After decades of living in California, I'm over it. But your enthusiasm is infectious! Looking back, I have so many fond memories of living in San Diego, Hermosa Beach, Santa Barbara, Half Moon Bay, Marin, and Truckee/Tahoe. All my former homes are beyond my budget, but I got to live the dream while it was still doable. Another bad thing: besides earthquakes, year round wild fires are becoming a new normal. Last summer in Reno (aka East California...lol), we lost about a month's worth of hiking, cycling and kayaking due to unhealthy air quality.
My favorite place in California is the most iconic - Santa Monica. Mark, you could do a video just on Santa Monica. It's a very cool place and I love staying there when I get out to Southern California.
I love this. I love Santa Monica. Went to Santa Monica College and had my first restaurant job on the promenade. Amazing place to live life in your early 20's and it's cool to hear tourists talk about it. The locals are with ya!!
How awesome! I live in Santa Monica and also go to Santa Monica College! It’s great to hear tourists appreciate the beauty. I love it here and grateful everyday to be a resident!
Thank you for mentioning Joshua Tree. Beautiful but strange looking place, like an alien world. Also your warning about parking also applies there - it can be difficult to find parking if you want to hike at places like Ryan MT in Joshua Tree. Sometimes you have to keep checking the lot or park further away and walk. Also always worth it is the LA History Museum and right next door, the space shuttle Endeavor. This was driven around the LA streets around 2012 and there are some jaw-dropping photos of it almost hitting apartments with its wings. Plus seeing it person is always inspiring. CA also has a bunch of smaller hikes that can be perfect for day trips and may not be as expensive as, say, Yosemite. There are also some places like palm tree farms in SoCal (in the desert), that may have cafes and gift shops. Had no idea these existed until we drove past one!
I love California!! I live in northern ca, and I would not live anywhere else!! There is so much variety to see here, from beaches, forests, to mountains.
No matter where I am in the world, California is always home. Whenever i'm researching another State, it just doesn't compare. Yeah it's too damn expensive but the pros outweigh the cons.
Caroline Thompson It may be the best Mexican food in the world... there was a documentary on Netflix where like renowned chefs from all over the world travel to countries to see if the food is better there than in the US, and most of the time they find that America may posses some of the best of each country. Chefs like to experiment and perfect dishes here, as opposed than traditional style cooking which is what you find when you go to Mexico, or Italy etc.
Things this guy missed (from California exiled to Texas) 1. Bring a sweater if you plan on spending time in San Francisco. Don't worry about any kind of clothing because there're exactly two seasons: Sunny and 60 degrees, and Not Sunny and 60 degrees. You're more likely to see sunny weather in September than July. 2. Sales taxes are pricey, so be prepared to spend spend spend,...or go to a Trader Joe's because the regular grocery stores suck. 3. We have lots of great wines, though the alcohol level is not as high is France or Italy. 4. We're very flakey and spontaneous, so don't expect things running on time or for plans to stay the same for long...especially not if there's good surf. On the other hand, you'll find yourself doing like lots of things you'd never have imagined if you stuck with the plan 5. Don't drive huge trucks, you won't have room to go anywhere since roads are so narrow and you'll waste gas, which is more expensive than other states. 6. There're almost no free attractions and they go up quickly, so save up and book in advance by a lot. They aren't always expensive mind you, but there's a lot and it adds up 7. If you have the chance, grab a surfboard or kayak [depending on which side of the state] and get out on the water. 8. Don't be afraid to try something out of the box when it comes to cuisine, we're the America of America in that sense, with only New York being even close to competitive. While the guy did a great job at explaining fusions, you can easily find genuine ethnic foods of all sorts. 9. Get tire chains if you want to go to the mountains in the winter, we do get snow, and the roads get very very treacherous at that point. 10. Go to the Channel Islands.
Im SO sad he didnt mention the wineries man, he mentioned the beer but the wine There’s SO many wineries in California Especially in Central and Southern CA
He did mention there's a problem with people abusing drugs in major cities and I assumed he meant drugs containing ethanol, which includes wine haha 🌈 ethanol leads to psychosis and violence. We are in the process of finally making this hard drug illegal 🌈
Yeah, people really do underestimate the size of California. I used to run into tourists all the time when I lived in Anaheim. I had to destroy several vacation plans by explaining just how far apart the destinations they were planning to visit were.
Tourist: Oh, we'll be in Los Angeles on Monday, then visit San Francisco on Tuesday, then see the sights in San Diego on Wednesday, and Lake Tahoe on Thursday. California: Ever see a horse laugh? Tourist: No. California: You're about to.
San Francisco has one of the best public transportation systems in the USA. The BART (while it still uses the same rails from the 70s) is pretty reliable and the MUNI in SF can practically take u anywhere
Santa Cruz is more of central California. If you want to do a true norcal trip, I recommend places like the redwood national park, lake tahoe, Mt. Shasta, lassen National Park, and maybe even Mendocino :)
I'm from California and I can agree to all of this, especially in how people don't understand how spread apart everything is. Like the national parks and the amusement parks are not within driving distance
I live in San Diego, you did a good job explaining ups and downs of California but I would like to say a few things, California is very diverse, a huge amount of other languages will be heard, in the south you will hear a lot of Spanish and in the north there is a lot of Asian languages, so even if your from a different country you can come over. Secondly please know how to swim, if you can’t swim your missing one of the best parts of California. Thirdly don’t get stuck in the suburbs they last forever. Finally try out the small things like restaurants and culture of each area they are very interesting. Thank you for this video
As a San Diego resident, I know quite a bit about the state I reside. I’ve been all over this state in terms of nature and scenery. I highly recommend these places: Anza Boreggo + Ocotillo Wells, Lake Tahoe, Lassen Volcanic, Joshua Tree, Big Sur, San Jacinto, Yosemite, June Lake, Death Valley, Redwoods NP, Santa Cruz beaches, and La Jolla + Torrey Pines. Also get those Carne Asada Fries (he’s not lying about how good they are)
San Diego is a great town to visit due to is close proximity to it's airport, cheap uber to downtown. Great weather all year too. Cable Cars in SF are mostly a tourist thing, last time I was in SF, it was madness of people trying to get on one (and expensive, operators are impatient with tourists and slow). CA is cheap and expensive to stay, Some places are pricy but worth the price, do kayak search on hotels to get best rates, or priceline best price tool. SF subsidizes it's homeless and it's drug problem, it is a mess now. . . was far better when I was a kid. You literally can go a block away from union square and end up in the Tenderloin district (CRIME ZONE, feces on sidewalk and trash). My advice to visitors is to go to Yosemite and try to hike out of the tourist zones (tourists wont leave the easy trails or valley floor. . . trails to clouds rest or half dome are worth it and you WILL NOT REGRET IT! SF is ok for tourists but it's the place that's crowded and limits people per day to see things, plus crime and drugs are bad there. San Diego is a GREAT city to visit, stay near water like marriot marquis or hyatt, uber is inexpensive from the airport. Weather is great all year. LA is a crowded mess, traffic all times of day, Hollywood is very overhyped and is pretty much a dump full of bums defecating on the sidewalk. I don't recommend Hollywood. Venice beach is similar, pretty trashy. Santa Monica pier is pretty much what you'd expect but the rides on the pier are ridiculously expensive. Anaheim is worth visiting for Disneyland or Knotts berry farm but it can be crowded obviously. (go during midweek) Six flags magic mountain theme park is north of LA (best roller coasters) but there is a six flags east of SF in Vallejo that is pretty good as well. Redwoods are more in the NW corner of the state, far from LA or SF. Mexican food is good, if you know where to go and bad at the 'family style' places. If you come for the weather and want beachy warm all year, go to southern CA or my opnion, San Diego. Want theme parks go to LA area. See all the southern California landmarks with the crowds? LA. SF is ok but it's really not that special on the tourist side, you only see the cool parts of SF that aren't in the tourist zones. Oldest ticki bar is the tonga room in the fairmont san francisco hotel (worth checking out). Marriot hotel in downtown sf has a hotel with a sky lounge with huge clamshell windows that gives cool views day and night. expect to pay $10 for a jack and coke. The marines memorial club in SF is a whole building for the US marines, they have a really good steakhouse at the top that is worth checking out. Dim sum restaurants in China town are good but china town all looks the same now store to store. Trips to Alcatraz need to be booked in advance, you most likely won't find boat tickets to get there the day of or possibly a week prior during busy tourist months. The eastern Sierra near mono lake or june lake are amazing places to see scenery. There is a old ghost town of Bodie you can visit, it's a state park. Lake Tahoe is a very beautiful area, south lake tahoe near stateline nevada is the most crowded and has casinos on the nevada side. The lake is pretty cold but the parts in pictures of clear water and smooth round rocks are found on the NE side along the highway. This is the major zone for skiing in the winter time as well. Mt. shasta in northern Ca has skiing but is a smaller ski area, more about getting away from people. Burney falls in Burney is not far from Mt. Shasta. Mt. lassen national park has sulfur springs that are like a mini Yellowstone park and has a pretty easy trail to the summit of the mountain. Lava tubes nearby and lava beds monument in the NE side of the state is most desolate of people in this part of state but has many caves. Lots more, wineries in Ca are many but they are all over the state many are not that good and many are, same with the microbreweries. I've been to some that fit the hipster style but the beer plain sucks, but people don't seem to care if they look cool drinking it. I left CA because of the anti-business taxes, crime, homelessness problem they make worse, gun rights and overall quality of life. The sunshine and growing season of plants really is it's best features but has attracted too many outsiders to ruin the state. My family has been there since the late 1800's growing oranges and lemons in what is now orange county, forced to sell their land due to over taxation in the mid-1940's for next to nothing to a developer. Today that land would have been worth hundreds of millions.
@@woltersworld You can't see all of Australia or New Zealand (California is bigger than New Zealand I think) in one trip either, unless you several months.
Went to the USA last summer and had an amazing time. We did a roadtrip through california, Yosemite and then all the way south to las vegas. Yes it was hot but not so that it would ruin a trip. Apart from Death Valley temperature.😥 Anyways all the tips helped us out greatly! Thank you very much!
As a regular British visitor I absolutely agree, California has it all. Three things I needed to get used to driving were 1. A hire car will probably be an automatic. These are unusual in UK but you soon pick it up. 2. On the freeway cars pass on both sides. I find the drivers mostly very helpful and sensible, more than in UK, but you will expect to get passed on the inside. 3. Turning right on a red light! I hate doing this, it just goes completely against the grain, but you have to do it or people behind you get upset. Great video as always Mark.
In case no one has mentioned it, if you are going to the San Francisco Bay Area to a jacket -- no matter the time of year! Not a snow grade coat, but a relatively light jacket with a moderate lining. Water resistant enough that a light rain won't be a big deal, but you need the lining for when the sun goes down and the cold fog rolls in the bay. I won't tell you how many tourist shops I see have a run on such jackets when it gets cold. So save a few dollars and bring a jacket, unless you want that cheesy tourist jacket....
Born and bred Californian here, and I'll live here for the rest of my life (though I've traveled around the world). A few additions: 1) Be sure to research the "high season" in popular parks such as Yosemite and Joshua Tree; you may need early reservations. 2) You will need permits in advance for popular outdoor activities such as climbing Half Dome or Mt. Whitney. 3) Our food is really incredible. California can grow anything, and then chefs come from around the world to play with it. Be sure to visit a farmer's market, hit all the mom-and-pop ethnic places you can, and NEVER visit a chain restaurant if you can help it. 4) Intellectual? Head for the Huntington in San Marino, CalTech, Stanford, UC Berkeley, and several other places. We have some of the best universities, libraries, and lectures on the planet.
Ha! You mentioned the Museum of Man, showed the Japanese Gardens, what you didn’t actually say was Drum Roll Balboa Park, The Gem of our Queen City San Diego:) Home. 😎
As a 6th generation bay area resident I give this my own California seal of approval! Very great video and definitely agree with the hates here. Traffic is INSANE here, especially in the vay area. Public Transportation isnt so bad in the bay area if you are traveling strictly through bay area cities because we got our own train system BART which can be very helpful but just be weary of the occasional weirdos so if you ride Bart be sure you are doing it with a friend or two. I cant wait for your Northern California video! I am on Team Norcal so its going to be exciting to see what you love about my side of the state. :3
You mentioned all the great microbrews, Cali also has world class WINE & produces more than any other state. The winery’s in Santa Barbara County, San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles & Napa are outstanding and worth a visit!
There are no Sequoia Mountains. Sequoia National Park and Sequoia National Forest are in the large Suerra Nevada Mountain Range, which runs north - south east of the equally large SanJoaquin Valley, akso known as the Central Valkey, where much of the nation's agriculture is. They're inpassable in the winter. To their east is the Owen's Valley, the Mono Basin and Death Valley. Yosemite National Park is also in the Sierra Nevada as are the highest peaks in the continental US outside Alaska.
Im a born and raised Californian but the government and crazies there don't represent let alone speak for every Californian there as a whole. My point is i hate these conservatives or any party who just labels any Californian as a liberal or etc
The biggest surprise I found in California was the cable cars. Californians love to laugh at the tourist who ride them.First of all, they do not look that steep at all on television. We thought we were going to die! We actually loved it and rode them four times.😆
I grew up in LA as did my dad, granddad, and great grand dad. I moved away when I was 22 and havent been back too frequently. I do miss it and would move back if I could a house. Two aditional risks. Rattlesnake can be found in the mountains behind LA. The mountains are a great place to visit but you need to be sure there are no wildfires where you are going. During the summer Laguna Beach hosts the Pagent of the Masters. Look it ip. Pasadena has some great turn of the century homes designed by the Green Brothers. Palm Springs is about an hour drive. SoCal has several Spanish missions from the 1700s. Check out your tour guide and google to find those out of the way places that don't attract a lot of tourists. SoCal is about a two week vacation and that's just the highlights. Have fun, be safe, and learn a lot.
One thing about Sacramento and the other more inland cities in northern California (not that they're really tourist hotspots) is how hot it gets in the summer (and spring and fall). For example in Sacramento it averages around 90-104 degrees and upwards (it was once 112 where I live) almost every day from May to October (the hottest months being june, july and august). So just a warning to people who don't usually deal with extreme heat to just be careful in the heat and to drink a lot of water!
Don't forget that while tourists get to see all these cool things, Californians, no matter where located, have to learn the history; why it exists; who built it, and when. Then we get tested on it. But it makes for a hell of a good overnight field trip.
This really seems coincidental :D I watch all your Videos, and arrived in California/Los Angeles three days ago, it is the first time in my life. I really love it (I'm from Germany and I have been to NY, Boston and Memphis) because the weather is so great, everybody is relaxed and life really seems so "easy". What you said about the things one saw on television, I for myself felt this "California" feeling which I know from TV the most when I drive on the highway (and maybe see an american police car). The driving from other people, I saw up until now was actually OK! But I thought of many other things I knew from your Videos and you are so right: The customer service is so much better, you get so much small free things, they really seem interested to help you. Then the toilets, you are so right, even in a simple Dollar Store where I was today, there was one, perfectly clean, much cleaner than in most German Restaurants. And also here, the people are really willing to help. An old man was looking for an electric shaver, and asked multiple times. The cashier still kept asking colleagues and even customers like me, where one could buy it, until someone said Walmart. In Germany, people would have probably started rolling their eyes after he asked one or two times. And lastly, the food is definitely so good. My last comparism for today: In Europe, in every kitchen there is a chef who says: "No, only 4 slices salami on the pizza" and things like that, and here: I was blewn away when ordering food, everywhere you get so many options (Pizza with pink sauce, ranch, bbq), hundreds of sides and sauces, each individually selectable. In Germany you dont even get Ketchup, you pay 0.30 Cent for each Bag!! The really only thing I miss here is some kind of Culture like in Europe, its hard to explain. Everything is "the same".
I've been there in 2014 and was extremely impressed with the scenery. Didn't have much time, but I did manage to see Hollywood, Venice beach (that was disappointing, not clean at all and very seedy people walking around).went to Joshua tree state park, unbelievable place ! I pulled into a gas station and I told the guy how much I love the desert and I told him I was from New Jersey and he said, what you don't have desert in New Jersey ?this was a Middle Eastern guy so need I explain ? Heard so much about in and out burger but we had a lousy experience, it took forever to get what we ordered and when we finally got it it was cold and dry. That was from the one in Glendale. I still would try it again, just because one place was a disappointment it doesn't mean that they all are.
I'm coming to California soon and am SO looking forward to it. Although you do get me worried when you talk about how bad public transport is as that's how we're getting between cities.
In California we don’t just tolerate other peoples, we embrace them. We want people to come here and bring their culture with them: their music, their customs, their food(!), their dress, their religion, their holidays, their food (think I already mentioned that). It’s almost like we don’t have to travel the world - the world comes to us.
You need to provide housing then. California artificially limits the amount of space for people to live so real estate parasites can make some big money haha 🌈
I just visited San Diego, for the prices I spent a lot because vacation but the area in Massachusetts I live in isn't much cheaper it seems. I didn't get the sticker shock I expected.
Great job, but you're off a bit on the public transportation in SF or Oakland/Berkeley. Those are the places where you're better off without a car, especially San Francisco, and you'll be able to get everywhere pretty easily on foot or by transit. As you said, California is huge and diverse, and the cities are as different in CA as New York is from Atlanta.
Yes I visit San Francisco/San Jose back in 2018 and though we had a car we definitely took the Transit to downtown San Francisco to go to Fisherman's wharf and it was pretty good. Going back to California in two weeks but will be visiting Bakersfield and somedays be in LA so I was hoping the transit system was better but heard it wasn't
Ask the locals about what areas to avoid trolls and crime. California is turning itself into a third world country. There are good reasons the middle class is leaving.
We had 3 nights in San Fran then 10 days driving to LA and on to Las Vegas for 3 nights there. Great trip, 3 nights in LA was too much, 3 nights in San Fran was too short.
Mark, I would like to elaborate on your Like #2 about diversity and I don't say this from a Politically Correct viewpoint. I grew up in the Midwest like you but as my philosophy on life changed I found Midwesterners becoming judgmental toward me. In California, there are people from so many different places that have different philosophies that most people respect those of us with different thoughts on life. I guess that lends some credence to the saying that "California is the land of fruits and nuts' (strange people) but it's nice to be a person with a non-traditional way of life and to be respected.
So happy to see you do a video on my home state :) you were right on the money with your loves and hates and I can’t wait for you and Jocelyn and the kids to come over to NorCal 😊
It's crazy how you were here on the few days it rains a year. The pandas are no longer at the SD zoo. It's so true how some folks don't realize how far away things are. My family just came to visit from another country and they thought everything was so close. Always love your videos.
When he says san Francisco is north, haha. Try Redding, or Eureka, Arcata, Burney Falls, Chico, Fort Bragg, Pacific Crest Trail in sections, Sacramento. Just hanging around the foot hills or the Sierra mt., mammoth mt., lassen volcanic mt., this is the north.
I'm looking to move to L.A for my music career, this is really great to get an idea of what California is like when I can't unfortunately go there to see for myself until COVID is over 😁
In California you can go into the mountains into the snow and go to the beach and swim in the sun on the same day
Austin Powers that‘s exactly what I love about California! It‘s such a diverse state with incredible nature and big cities😍
Where I live in SoCal the beach is hardly an hour away from me and so is the mountains like Big Bear which is actually currently snowy. You can literally see the snowy tops of mountains while also enjoying the heat of a 90 degree day!
But nobody does.
@@erenthebombjaeger you wouldn't happen to live in the Coachella Valley?
Robert West Nah I live in Corona
" i mean August and july might be a little hot"
*half of california is on fire* maybe just a tad bit ;D
0w0 0w0 that is so true!
At least there's no humidity.
How else are you supposed to light your weed
Keith Hill you can but you have to be extremely careful.
Alden Weaver this year had 20%-45% humidity which makes the heat here soo suffocating 😵
I'm a native SoCal girl and time is an actual unit of measurement. We don't measure miles. We base it on how long it takes to get somewhere!
NorCal, Bay Area.
It's the same here. Especially if you're taking Bart or bus or commuting on traffic-prone freeways.
Distance is irrelevant. Time is of the essence.
I know nada north of Sac.
I'm 5 seconds tall
Yeah, miles become meaningless on the freeways. Time to destination is a better measurement, since it's entirely dependent on the time of day that you leave.
California sucks
thats just an America thing.
I am a Sacramento native. I’d say to make sure to check out Monterey Bay Area if you have kids or Napa for adults! Tahoe is a great trip for families!
I just moved to Sacramento.
I concur with this
Monterey Bay area for adults too - some of the best municipal golf courses anywhere, gorgeous coastlines, wine tasting in Carmel Valley, tons of history (former capital of CA and location of the signing of the state constitution), art galleries on every corner in Carmel, amazing hiking locations, and so much more. Just get your group to cross the street together rather than occupying the whole crosswalk.
santa cruz is so underrated
@@bonniea8189 you and Maraya through me off badly. SF Bay natives just call it Monterey Bay or even Monterey for short.😂😂😂
Another great video! I'm from California and loved how you captured the diversity of the state. We're definitely more than LA and SF.
So much more!
SF the rent is so high and the average house cost, unemployment rate is really high, handing out needles to homeless people, shit on the street.
But oh wait we have apple and the bridge so it's fine.
LA is the same thing too except for less shit and a little less needles but has more crime.
Don’t forget about SD
Also more parks than just Yosemite 😀. My personal favorites are Death Valley, Mojave, Lassen, Point Reyes, Big Sur, and the Humbolt Redwoods.
yes we are.. Ventura here
Next time your in California I highly recommend you visit sequoia national park
Agreed. My family enjoyed Sequoia/King's Canyon about as much as Yosemite, and that is saying something.
As someone who has driven from San Francisco to outside LA before it is easily a 7 hour drive if you take a break, before traffic. That said if your willing to take the time the view along the coast is well worth it!
When i did that it was very foggy.
Was that on Hwy 1 or 101? I've heard it can take an entire day to get from LA to SF on Hwy 1.
fly into SF.. drive to San Diego and leave from San Diego.. Grin and bear while in LA
@@anjamo2307 Amuse yourself by looking at what people are doing in the next several cars over. And watch for sudden stops.
@@MakeItWithCalvin yeah i drive from.San Diego to Modesto every year for thanks giving. Easily an 8 hour drive
🍷Mark did a great job promoting California beer (750+ craft breweries) but didn't mention wine. There are 4300+ wineries in California producing over 80% of the country's wine. The state by itself is the 4th leading producer of wine behind France, Italy and Spain. And the wine has been world class since the '70s so international visitors should definitely give a bottle or two a try or even hit up a local winery. 🍷
Tosh T well said, sir.
Tosh T I actually noticed that while I was editing the video. I couldn't figure out why I never even mentioned the wine once? I'm getting slow in my old age. Thanks for putting me in my place.
+Wolters World I'm being honest about you doing a *_great_* job promoting craft beer. Very happy you're all over it since the U.S. gets grief for drinking watery light lagers (sales do not lie). Before my wine comment, I looked at your must eats video and it's apparent most of your dining in SD paired with beer and tequila. Not a bad thing. Wine just wasn't top of mind which it may be in San Francisco when that trip happens. 😀👍
yeah, i think the lack of a big wine time in SD kind of made my mind a bit foggy :)
What about the Napa Fires last year?
I'm a Californian born and raised in the Bay Area and I wholeheartedly approve this video. Everything you said was spot on Mark. Love, love, love this state, I've traveled the world, but will always come home to beautiful Cali!
I have fond memories of the Examiner Bay to Breakers every May!
Good point about going to mom and pop eateries...Yes, support local small business! You ll be rewarded...also love Northern California!
Thank you. I miss those mom and pop places.
There’s one in Ukiah which was amazing!! Love NorCal too
I fully agree! There is ABSOLUTELY NO REASON to go to a chain restaurant!!!
@@woltersworld Especially in the LA area, the best restaurants are mom-and-pops, often in a strip mall next to a tire store.
I live in Fresno, California. Not a tourist city at all, but I feel glad to be in the center of California with S.F, Yosemite and Sequoia National Park, Los Angeles, and the beach in such close proximity.
I too live in Fresno. Not known as a tourist place but our central location does have its benefits. One weekend the central coast (SLO, Pismo, Santa Barbra) the next weekend Sequoia or Kings Canyon national parks). Also one of the few places in California where housing is affordable!
@@jessemartinez9279 For now... ☹️ Also, even if it's _relatively_ affordable (compared to other parts of the state) it's still more than housing outside the state.
if you live in Fresno the 1st thing you wanna do is move out! living in Fresno was horrible with too much crime and i was there only 3 months and my car was broken into and they took everything even my stereo and speakers. a month later they came back for the rest of my car! also the police never found my car and were not very helpful! so much for forced car insurance bcoz they gave me less than what my car was worth! i paid more into my auto insurance than they gave me for my car! insurances are a scam that need to corrected!!!
I'm San Francisco and I can honestly say that Fresno is super appealing because of the housing costs. You can buy huge house relatively cheap as opposed to what you get in the Bay.
Born and raised in Fresno CA. The game I like to play every night is guessing if that was a firework or a gunshot 😂
In California, even the tar pits are interesting to see...
best part of LA. love the tar pits
George McGovern one of my favorites!
when i visited L.A the tar pits were the reason.
I’m from California and this was spot on 💯 thank you for showcasing the whole state and keeping it real!
Thanks!
I lived in San Francisco and on the peninsula. My advice to tourists is stay in San Jose or the east bay and take the CalTrans train or BART to The City (San Francisco). 'Cause you really do not want to drive in The City. And you really, really, really do not want to park in The City. The City has good public transportation. Plus The City is small enough that you can walk across it in a morning. (I have done that.)
h lynn keith second this! Live in San Jose and this is what I mainly do as driving in sf is a pain in the ass, even for locals
Parking is minimum $40 lol and you are almost forced to parallel park on the side of the thinnest streets in the world
when I visited SF, I found that driving was the best. ubering, the bus, and bart take way to long. just make sure youre a calm driver
My best friend lives there and we walked the whole city one of the nights I was there...it was a little sketchy, but really beautiful. All the Belle Epoque, Victorian and 1920s architecture totally blew my mind. I'm originally from San Diego and it's so interesting how different and similar the vibe is
@@Jawshuah and watch out for double-parked trucks. And know which streets are one-way, and which way they go.
As a Californian, love this video! I had so much fun watching it. Even though I knew all ten things you were going to list. LOL
:) glad a local liked my list :) all the best to you on your travels!
Wolters World Thanks! Hoping to made it to Europe for the first time next year.
I was raised in Northern California and on the Oregon coast. The most epic, most beautiful drive ever is to start at, and explore the incredible beauty of the Redwoods then drive North, following the coast all the up to the Canadian border. There are no words to describe how incredible the drive is, how charming all the seaside towns are, how stunning the coast is, how amazing the history. I highly recommend the drive, it's so worth it.
Great weather, diveristy, nature , food, everything, it’s my favourite state, I love California !!!!!
alberto Viale great weather is when you have four seasons, not 24/7 summer
@@GARCATCH_ Okay I love Cali, I live here, but this is true XD
@@GARCATCH_ It's different for everybody. I can't stand freezing temperatures and snow.
me too.. that's why a put up with the traffic and the obnoxious government
Diversity?
I am California born and raised. Mark nailed it!
Thank you for talking about this! I do recommend going to Kings Canyon National Park. It’s so beautiful and lots of hiking trails, it kinda makes me sad that little people know about it.
Thanks Selma!
I agree, it's so awesome! There are SO many wonderful camping places here
Lassen is nice too. And Mt. Shasta is spectacular and has a charmingly weird town next to it.
You did a good job, Mark, in capturing the good and the ugly of California. Lived here most of my life and you talked like a native. Nice job - makes me trust your comments on all those places I haven't been to yet even more.
Thank you Elsa. I would love to get back to California to spend more time in the Northern part of the state. Hoping to take the family early next year to get back. I really enjoyed California.
At 3:52 you mention how California should be three separate states and actually there was an attempt to have a vote in breaking the state up recently. It never had a chance and was struck down by the legislature because of how stupid it was, but still I laughed when you brought it up Wolter.
California's gonna be Mexico soon. Learn spanish
Keith Hill some of it already is
There were enough signatures to put the decision of splitting the state on the ballot as Proposition 9. The challenge to Proposition 9's validity was brought to the court by the Planning and Conservation League, an organization with a goal of protecting "California from the destruction caused by fast-paced and poorly planned developments". The California Supreme Court unanimously ruled to remove Proposition 9 from the ballot saying the Court usually allows Californians to vote on ballot measures before assessing any constitutional challenges. However, in this case, the justices noted that there were “significant questions regarding the proposition’s validity” and argued that the “hardships from permitting an invalid measure to remain on the ballot outweigh the harm potentially posed by delaying a proposition to a future election.”
The biggest question swirling around Proposition 9-and other measures like it-is whether California voters have the authority to break up the state, thereby abolishing its constitution and existing laws in the process of creating new states. It is also unclear whether Proposition 9 counts as a revision to the California constitution, which cannot be implemented through a ballot initiative.
The Planning and Conservation League said Proposition 9 would have caused “chaos in [California’s] public services including safeguarding our environment … all to satisfy the whims of one billionaire.” The initiative, sponsored by Silicon Valley billionaire venture capitalist Tim Draper, sought to split California into three separate states. Proposition 9 is the second unsuccessful attempt in the past several years to break up the nation’s most populous state and the world’s fifth-largest economy. In 2014, Draper launched a campaign to split California into six states, but he failed to garner enough valid signatures to get his measure on the 2016 ballot as an initiative constitutional amendment.
Keith Hill “going to be??” Bitch when did it change?? California is México. Have a good day.
Brett Edson lmfaoooooooo
My first international travel i visited this wonderful state
cool
Overlooked thing you'll love about California: the Central Coast. Santa Barbara is the big town, but you also have San Luis Obispo, Pismo Beach, Morro Bay. All very beautiful with no tourist overcrowding. Take advantage of the overlooked quality and have practically the whole area to yourselves. Beaches, shopping, hiking, great food, missions, great wine, everything great about CA.
And San Simeon/Hearst Castle
The central coast is nice!
Santa Barbara full of tourists
Yes, Central Coast is my favorite part of California!
As a California native the driving thing is true! Please be careful and pay extra attention when you are here!
So true
I live here in OC and I always say, I could travel the world but nowhere is as fun as right outside my doorstep.
See :)
I've been fortunate enough to have been in California twice already, even though I'm a 17 year old Swiss and I absolutely loved it! I travelled around the state on one of my visits and it was amazing to see all the different places in this beautiful state👍 Great Video as always Mark😄
This is the video I've been waiting for! I'm planning to move from Frankfurt (Germany) to California, so I would love to know more and more about this place :D
Cybernaut go to North California! Weather is better, things are a bit cheaper, and it is much more beautiful
I am glad we could get it out for you :) i have a couple san diego video as well if they might help
Wolters World yes I watched ALL your US videos and I loved every single one! Keep doing your thing :)
Cybernaut Having a car is important and live in northern California and have a secure job because living in California is expensive
I would also recommend to take insurance with you the ADAC ends up cheaper (including membership fees) if you have a budget to stretch until you get a refund on hand then anything I saw in non employer covered America ensureance 😉
Check out Carmel and Monterey too. So charming 💕
thanks for the heads up!
Love Monterey!!
Dont forget Big Sur!!!!!!!
Wolters World and Santa Cruz is cool too
And Fresno
After decades of living in California, I'm over it. But your enthusiasm is infectious! Looking back, I have so many fond memories of living in San Diego, Hermosa Beach, Santa Barbara, Half Moon Bay, Marin, and Truckee/Tahoe. All my former homes are beyond my budget, but I got to live the dream while it was still doable.
Another bad thing: besides earthquakes, year round wild fires are becoming a new normal. Last summer in Reno (aka East California...lol), we lost about a month's worth of hiking, cycling and kayaking due to unhealthy air quality.
My favorite place in California is the most iconic - Santa Monica. Mark, you could do a video just on Santa Monica. It's a very cool place and I love staying there when I get out to Southern California.
I am sure when i get back to the area i will :)
I love this. I love Santa Monica. Went to Santa Monica College and had my first restaurant job on the promenade. Amazing place to live life in your early 20's and it's cool to hear tourists talk about it. The locals are with ya!!
How awesome! I live in Santa Monica and also go to Santa Monica College! It’s great to hear tourists appreciate the beauty. I love it here and grateful everyday to be a resident!
@@rasiedu1 love SM
Santa Monica is also my favorite place in CA!
Thank you for mentioning Joshua Tree. Beautiful but strange looking place, like an alien world. Also your warning about parking also applies there - it can be difficult to find parking if you want to hike at places like Ryan MT in Joshua Tree. Sometimes you have to keep checking the lot or park further away and walk.
Also always worth it is the LA History Museum and right next door, the space shuttle Endeavor. This was driven around the LA streets around 2012 and there are some jaw-dropping photos of it almost hitting apartments with its wings. Plus seeing it person is always inspiring.
CA also has a bunch of smaller hikes that can be perfect for day trips and may not be as expensive as, say, Yosemite. There are also some places like palm tree farms in SoCal (in the desert), that may have cafes and gift shops. Had no idea these existed until we drove past one!
I love California i think it's the best state in the USA
It really is gorgeous
It really is
for all its flaws it truly is!
meh ..too many liberals
João Pedro
I love California!! I live in northern ca, and I would not live anywhere else!! There is so much variety to see here, from beaches, forests, to mountains.
honeybunny86 Arellano shithole.
I take it you are up towards the Emerald Triangle?
@@blackarmsox I wish I was, I live in Sacramento.
honeybunny86 Arellano I'm from the Bay and I'm with you. Best part of Cali imo!
No matter where I am in the world, California is always home. Whenever i'm researching another State, it just doesn't compare. Yeah it's too damn expensive but the pros outweigh the cons.
Cali has THE BEST Mexican food in the Country!
i was enjoying every bite :)
Caroline Thompson It may be the best Mexican food in the world... there was a documentary on Netflix where like renowned chefs from all over the world travel to countries to see if the food is better there than in the US, and most of the time they find that America may posses some of the best of each country. Chefs like to experiment and perfect dishes here, as opposed than traditional style cooking which is what you find when you go to Mexico, or Italy etc.
Idk. My mama is Mexican and we grew up on texmex. Texas mexican food is ah-mazing!
True but don’t forget Texas
Caroline yeah both California and Texas have the best Mexican food !!!
Man you've seen more of California than I have and I've lived here my whole life.
Things this guy missed (from California exiled to Texas)
1. Bring a sweater if you plan on spending time in San Francisco. Don't worry about any kind of clothing because there're exactly two seasons: Sunny and 60 degrees, and Not Sunny and 60 degrees. You're more likely to see sunny weather in September than July.
2. Sales taxes are pricey, so be prepared to spend spend spend,...or go to a Trader Joe's because the regular grocery stores suck.
3. We have lots of great wines, though the alcohol level is not as high is France or Italy.
4. We're very flakey and spontaneous, so don't expect things running on time or for plans to stay the same for long...especially not if there's good surf. On the other hand, you'll find yourself doing like lots of things you'd never have imagined if you stuck with the plan
5. Don't drive huge trucks, you won't have room to go anywhere since roads are so narrow and you'll waste gas, which is more expensive than other states.
6. There're almost no free attractions and they go up quickly, so save up and book in advance by a lot. They aren't always expensive mind you, but there's a lot and it adds up
7. If you have the chance, grab a surfboard or kayak [depending on which side of the state] and get out on the water.
8. Don't be afraid to try something out of the box when it comes to cuisine, we're the America of America in that sense, with only New York being even close to competitive. While the guy did a great job at explaining fusions, you can easily find genuine ethnic foods of all sorts.
9. Get tire chains if you want to go to the mountains in the winter, we do get snow, and the roads get very very treacherous at that point.
10. Go to the Channel Islands.
If you want free attractions, you'll find tons of them in San Francisco and greater Bay Area.
california roads are definitely not narrow. illinois has the most terrible and narrow roads
I'm from Orange County and when I heard a person from out of state say that In N Out was over rated, I almost punched him
I live in sd I prefer five guys hehe
Sorry but it is
In and out Is fast but l like red Robins way more but then again I can’t compare a restaurant to a fast food place lol
Mirza Huskic I never had five guys but I always wanted to try it
I'm from LA. In-N-Out is gross. The burgers taste like cheap cheese and thousand island dressing. The fries are limp. The shakes are forgettable.
Love love love my adoptive state.....awesome weather, delicious food and most important kind and open minded people 😍🌹🌞
Alicia Calinoiu mmm I like you
Highly recommend getting out early in the morning on a day when there’s low tide in La Jolla to explore the tide pools. Coolest thing ever!
that is cool!
Linda Ciaravino right now the ocean is warm for once
Your beautiful.
Im SO sad he didnt mention the wineries man, he mentioned the beer but the wine
There’s SO many wineries in California
Especially in Central and Southern CA
@I love Angelique ...And Napa!
He did mention there's a problem with people abusing drugs in major cities and I assumed he meant drugs containing ethanol, which includes wine haha 🌈 ethanol leads to psychosis and violence. We are in the process of finally making this hard drug illegal 🌈
Yeah, people really do underestimate the size of California. I used to run into tourists all the time when I lived in Anaheim. I had to destroy several vacation plans by explaining just how far apart the destinations they were planning to visit were.
Tourist: Oh, we'll be in Los Angeles on Monday, then visit San Francisco on Tuesday, then see the sights in San Diego on Wednesday, and Lake Tahoe on Thursday.
California: Ever see a horse laugh?
Tourist: No.
California: You're about to.
San Francisco has one of the best public transportation systems in the USA. The BART (while it still uses the same rails from the 70s) is pretty reliable and the MUNI in SF can practically take u anywhere
Yeah, if you don't get robbed!
@@oregonnich That's true in any tourist destination. My coworker had their wallet stolen from their front pocket in Madrid.
And BART gets you to and from both the SFO and Oakland airports.
@@bonniea8189 Madrid and Barcelona have a pickpocket problem.
When you do your nor-cal trip, I recommend "the mystery spot" in Santa Cruz. Trippy place
And Winchester Mystery House in San Jose
such a boomer comment
Lol it's really not all that..
Santa Cruz is more of central California. If you want to do a true norcal trip, I recommend places like the redwood national park, lake tahoe, Mt. Shasta, lassen National Park, and maybe even Mendocino :)
Never clicked on a notification faster
I'm from California and I can agree to all of this, especially in how people don't understand how spread apart everything is. Like the national parks and the amusement parks are not within driving distance
I live in San Diego, you did a good job explaining ups and downs of California but I would like to say a few things, California is very diverse, a huge amount of other languages will be heard, in the south you will hear a lot of Spanish and in the north there is a lot of Asian languages, so even if your from a different country you can come over. Secondly please know how to swim, if you can’t swim your missing one of the best parts of California. Thirdly don’t get stuck in the suburbs they last forever. Finally try out the small things like restaurants and culture of each area they are very interesting. Thank you for this video
well said Zak!
I love your channel and your original content! Keep doing your thing
Thank you
As a San Diego resident, I know quite a bit about the state I reside. I’ve been all over this state in terms of nature and scenery. I highly recommend these places: Anza Boreggo + Ocotillo Wells, Lake Tahoe, Lassen Volcanic, Joshua Tree, Big Sur, San Jacinto, Yosemite, June Lake, Death Valley, Redwoods NP, Santa Cruz beaches, and La Jolla + Torrey Pines. Also get those Carne Asada Fries (he’s not lying about how good they are)
Man fuck la jolla and those stuck up rich a$$ mofos, throw coronado in there too..
I'd love to meet you when you visit Northern California. I enjoy your videos.
used to live in Chico... only lasted 1 year
You will never fully experience California. I've lived in LA for almost 30 years, and I still haven't fully experienced LA, never mind the state!
California is one beautiful state but unfortunately it is populated with alot of agressive individuals.
San Diego is a great town to visit due to is close proximity to it's airport, cheap uber to downtown. Great weather all year too. Cable Cars in SF are mostly a tourist thing, last time I was in SF, it was madness of people trying to get on one (and expensive, operators are impatient with tourists and slow). CA is cheap and expensive to stay, Some places are pricy but worth the price, do kayak search on hotels to get best rates, or priceline best price tool.
SF subsidizes it's homeless and it's drug problem, it is a mess now. . . was far better when I was a kid. You literally can go a block away from union square and end up in the Tenderloin district (CRIME ZONE, feces on sidewalk and trash). My advice to visitors is to go to Yosemite and try to hike out of the tourist zones (tourists wont leave the easy trails or valley floor. . . trails to clouds rest or half dome are worth it and you WILL NOT REGRET IT! SF is ok for tourists but it's the place that's crowded and limits people per day to see things, plus crime and drugs are bad there.
San Diego is a GREAT city to visit, stay near water like marriot marquis or hyatt, uber is inexpensive from the airport. Weather is great all year. LA is a crowded mess, traffic all times of day, Hollywood is very overhyped and is pretty much a dump full of bums defecating on the sidewalk. I don't recommend Hollywood. Venice beach is similar, pretty trashy. Santa Monica pier is pretty much what you'd expect but the rides on the pier are ridiculously expensive. Anaheim is worth visiting for Disneyland or Knotts berry farm but it can be crowded obviously. (go during midweek) Six flags magic mountain theme park is north of LA (best roller coasters) but there is a six flags east of SF in Vallejo that is pretty good as well. Redwoods are more in the NW corner of the state, far from LA or SF. Mexican food is good, if you know where to go and bad at the 'family style' places.
If you come for the weather and want beachy warm all year, go to southern CA or my opnion, San Diego. Want theme parks go to LA area. See all the southern California landmarks with the crowds? LA. SF is ok but it's really not that special on the tourist side, you only see the cool parts of SF that aren't in the tourist zones. Oldest ticki bar is the tonga room in the fairmont san francisco hotel (worth checking out).
Marriot hotel in downtown sf has a hotel with a sky lounge with huge clamshell windows that gives cool views day and night. expect to pay $10 for a jack and coke. The marines memorial club in SF is a whole building for the US marines, they have a really good steakhouse at the top that is worth checking out. Dim sum restaurants in China town are good but china town all looks the same now store to store. Trips to Alcatraz need to be booked in advance, you most likely won't find boat tickets to get there the day of or possibly a week prior during busy tourist months.
The eastern Sierra near mono lake or june lake are amazing places to see scenery. There is a old ghost town of Bodie you can visit, it's a state park. Lake Tahoe is a very beautiful area, south lake tahoe near stateline nevada is the most crowded and has casinos on the nevada side. The lake is pretty cold but the parts in pictures of clear water and smooth round rocks are found on the NE side along the highway. This is the major zone for skiing in the winter time as well. Mt. shasta in northern Ca has skiing but is a smaller ski area, more about getting away from people. Burney falls in Burney is not far from Mt. Shasta. Mt. lassen national park has sulfur springs that are like a mini Yellowstone park and has a pretty easy trail to the summit of the mountain. Lava tubes nearby and lava beds monument in the NE side of the state is most desolate of people in this part of state but has many caves.
Lots more, wineries in Ca are many but they are all over the state many are not that good and many are, same with the microbreweries. I've been to some that fit the hipster style but the beer plain sucks, but people don't seem to care if they look cool drinking it.
I left CA because of the anti-business taxes, crime, homelessness problem they make worse, gun rights and overall quality of life. The sunshine and growing season of plants really is it's best features but has attracted too many outsiders to ruin the state. My family has been there since the late 1800's growing oranges and lemons in what is now orange county, forced to sell their land due to over taxation in the mid-1940's for next to nothing to a developer. Today that land would have been worth hundreds of millions.
Great job tackling a BIG state! You're right about making multiple trips, cause unless you have 1-2 months, you can't see/do it all.
I know right? Its just too big and too many things to see... and vacation is too short :)
@@woltersworld You can't see all of Australia or New Zealand (California is bigger than New Zealand I think) in one trip either, unless you several months.
Went to the USA last summer and had an amazing time. We did a roadtrip through california, Yosemite and then all the way south to las vegas. Yes it was hot but not so that it would ruin a trip. Apart from Death Valley temperature.😥 Anyways all the tips helped us out greatly! Thank you very much!
His little laugh when he said he didn't need the extra carbs. 😂 I feel you! Same here.
Indeed :)
In-N-Out Burger has long lines like an amusement park.
Journal Wright but at least in n out isnt disappointing like bad amusement park rides :)
Wolters World True. It just isn't fast food like the type of restaurant they claim to be but the food is amazing.
I actually feel the Habit Burger Grill is better than In'NOut
@@webdaddy I have to try it out.
@Allison Rigby Yeah right lol
North California has best weed to lol 😂
in socal we import from humboldt but also have our own.
I watch you vids all the time! Its great to see you making a video IN San Diego where I live. Keep up the great work man!
you have an awesome city! I have a don'ts of San Diego video and a 5 eats of San Diego video too. hope they make you proud :)
As a regular British visitor I absolutely agree, California has it all. Three things I needed to get used to driving were 1. A hire car will probably be an automatic. These are unusual in UK but you soon pick it up. 2. On the freeway cars pass on both sides. I find the drivers mostly very helpful and sensible, more than in UK, but you will expect to get passed on the inside. 3. Turning right on a red light! I hate doing this, it just goes completely against the grain, but you have to do it or people behind you get upset.
Great video as always Mark.
In case no one has mentioned it, if you are going to the San Francisco Bay Area to a jacket -- no matter the time of year! Not a snow grade coat, but a relatively light jacket with a moderate lining. Water resistant enough that a light rain won't be a big deal, but you need the lining for when the sun goes down and the cold fog rolls in the bay. I won't tell you how many tourist shops I see have a run on such jackets when it gets cold. So save a few dollars and bring a jacket, unless you want that cheesy tourist jacket....
California is the best state ever!!!
Indeed
Born and bred Californian here, and I'll live here for the rest of my life (though I've traveled around the world). A few additions: 1) Be sure to research the "high season" in popular parks such as Yosemite and Joshua Tree; you may need early reservations. 2) You will need permits in advance for popular outdoor activities such as climbing Half Dome or Mt. Whitney. 3) Our food is really incredible. California can grow anything, and then chefs come from around the world to play with it. Be sure to visit a farmer's market, hit all the mom-and-pop ethnic places you can, and NEVER visit a chain restaurant if you can help it. 4) Intellectual? Head for the Huntington in San Marino, CalTech, Stanford, UC Berkeley, and several other places. We have some of the best universities, libraries, and lectures on the planet.
Sam's Tacos - Boyle Heights best Carne Asada nachos in SoCal (No Hipsters). This place is super Mexican. You may have to order in Spanish
Ha! You mentioned the Museum of Man, showed the Japanese Gardens, what you didn’t actually say was
Drum Roll
Balboa Park, The Gem of our Queen City San Diego:)
Home. 😎
As a 6th generation bay area resident I give this my own California seal of approval! Very great video and definitely agree with the hates here. Traffic is INSANE here, especially in the vay area.
Public Transportation isnt so bad in the bay area if you are traveling strictly through bay area cities because we got our own train system BART which can be very helpful but just be weary of the occasional weirdos so if you ride Bart be sure you are doing it with a friend or two.
I cant wait for your Northern California video! I am on Team Norcal so its going to be exciting to see what you love about my side of the state. :3
You mentioned all the great microbrews, Cali also has world class WINE & produces more than any other state. The winery’s in Santa Barbara County, San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles & Napa are outstanding and worth a visit!
There are no Sequoia Mountains. Sequoia National Park and Sequoia National Forest are in the large Suerra Nevada Mountain Range, which runs north - south east of the equally large SanJoaquin Valley, akso known as the Central Valkey, where much of the nation's agriculture is. They're inpassable in the winter. To their east is the Owen's Valley, the Mono Basin and Death Valley. Yosemite National Park is also in the Sierra Nevada as are the highest peaks in the continental US outside Alaska.
Southern Cali- legit, they were straight up rude. Norcal was beautiful and the people were much nicer!
Yes we are!
What part were you in? I was in SD recently and the people were great there. Way nicer than in Boston/New York
@@johncoggeshall1627 prob Los Angeles we're super bitchy there
Im a born and raised Californian but the government and crazies there don't represent let alone speak for every Californian there as a whole. My point is i hate these conservatives or any party who just labels any Californian as a liberal or etc
The biggest surprise I found in California was the cable cars. Californians love to laugh at the tourist who ride them.First of all, they do not look that steep at all on television. We thought we were going to die! We actually loved it and rode them four times.😆
I grew up in LA as did my dad, granddad, and great grand dad. I moved away when I was 22 and havent been back too frequently. I do miss it and would move back if I could a house. Two aditional risks. Rattlesnake can be found in the mountains behind LA. The mountains are a great place to visit but you need to be sure there are no wildfires where you are going. During the summer Laguna Beach hosts the Pagent of the Masters. Look it ip. Pasadena has some great turn of the century homes designed by the Green Brothers. Palm Springs is about an hour drive. SoCal has several Spanish missions from the 1700s. Check out your tour guide and google to find those out of the way places that don't attract
a lot of tourists. SoCal is about a two week vacation and that's just the highlights. Have fun, be safe, and learn a lot.
Also there is a large and quite pretty Buddhist temple in Hacienda Heights, and really good Chinese food in Alhambra, Rosemead and nearabouts.
Also the water in California is COLD so don’t expect warm or “cool” water. It’s straight up cold.
The best thing about California is being able to say I am from there.
Next year when your in Northern California go to a gold rush town it’s called Columbia
Be careful of the neighborhoods you go in Los Angeles. There are some dangerous ones, especially south of the 10 downtown.
One thing about Sacramento and the other more inland cities in northern California (not that they're really tourist hotspots) is how hot it gets in the summer (and spring and fall). For example in Sacramento it averages around 90-104 degrees and upwards (it was once 112 where I live) almost every day from May to October (the hottest months being june, july and august). So just a warning to people who don't usually deal with extreme heat to just be careful in the heat and to drink a lot of water!
if you go to LA visit Portos, best restuarant/bakery ever. They also have like 3 different locations :)
Don't forget that while tourists get to see all these cool things, Californians, no matter where located, have to learn the history; why it exists; who built it, and when. Then we get tested on it. But it makes for a hell of a good overnight field trip.
Traffic in California is horrible!
Shows videos of highways moving pretty good
Whoa I caught the video early lol. Thank you for a California video. I. I'm Interested
It's a great state for vacation
This really seems coincidental :D I watch all your Videos, and arrived in California/Los Angeles three days ago, it is the first time in my life. I really love it (I'm from Germany and I have been to NY, Boston and Memphis) because the weather is so great, everybody is relaxed and life really seems so "easy". What you said about the things one saw on television, I for myself felt this "California" feeling which I know from TV the most when I drive on the highway (and maybe see an american police car). The driving from other people, I saw up until now was actually OK!
But I thought of many other things I knew from your Videos and you are so right: The customer service is so much better, you get so much small free things, they really seem interested to help you. Then the toilets, you are so right, even in a simple Dollar Store where I was today, there was one, perfectly clean, much cleaner than in most German Restaurants. And also here, the people are really willing to help. An old man was looking for an electric shaver, and asked multiple times. The cashier still kept asking colleagues and even customers like me, where one could buy it, until someone said Walmart. In Germany, people would have probably started rolling their eyes after he asked one or two times.
And lastly, the food is definitely so good. My last comparism for today: In Europe, in every kitchen there is a chef who says: "No, only 4 slices salami on the pizza" and things like that, and here: I was blewn away when ordering food, everywhere you get so many options (Pizza with pink sauce, ranch, bbq), hundreds of sides and sauces, each individually selectable. In Germany you dont even get Ketchup, you pay 0.30 Cent for each Bag!!
The really only thing I miss here is some kind of Culture like in Europe, its hard to explain. Everything is "the same".
Thanks for sharing your experience. That is awesome to hear. Hope you enjoy the rest of your time in California!
I am from Germany and all I miss are the bread and broetchen... Lived in California since 1980 and all I can say is: We rock
We drove up the 1 and traffic wasn’t an issue, but we couldn’t see anything because of the fog!
I've been there in 2014 and was extremely impressed with the scenery. Didn't have much time, but I did manage to see Hollywood, Venice beach (that was disappointing, not clean at all and very seedy people walking around).went to Joshua tree state park, unbelievable place ! I pulled into a gas station and I told the guy how much I love the desert and I told him I was from New Jersey and he said, what you don't have desert in New Jersey ?this was a Middle Eastern guy so need I explain ? Heard so much about in and out burger but we had a lousy experience, it took forever to get what we ordered and when we finally got it it was cold and dry. That was from the one in Glendale. I still would try it again, just because one place was a disappointment it doesn't mean that they all are.
Sadly trees in Joshua Tree were vandalized during the government shutdown earlier this year.
I'm coming to California soon and am SO looking forward to it. Although you do get me worried when you talk about how bad public transport is as that's how we're getting between cities.
You will be OK. Don't let that stop you :)
Wolters World I'm still looking forward to it, your videos have been really helpful!
Have you had your trip yet? If so, how was it?
In California we don’t just tolerate other peoples, we embrace them. We want people to come here and bring their culture with them: their music, their customs, their food(!), their dress, their religion, their holidays, their food (think I already mentioned that). It’s almost like we don’t have to travel the world - the world comes to us.
That will literally happen when the Olympics are hosted in Los Angeles in 2028.
You need to provide housing then. California artificially limits the amount of space for people to live so real estate parasites can make some big money haha 🌈
He's so right about the drivers. I find CA drivers are either too slow or too fast and there are definitely a fair amount who don't pay attention.
I just visited San Diego, for the prices I spent a lot because vacation but the area in Massachusetts I live in isn't much cheaper it seems. I didn't get the sticker shock I expected.
live in SoCal and did not think Mass was any cheaper
In central Ca, it's cheaper. But then again we have a bunch of farms
Great job, but you're off a bit on the public transportation in SF or Oakland/Berkeley. Those are the places where you're better off without a car, especially San Francisco, and you'll be able to get everywhere pretty easily on foot or by transit. As you said, California is huge and diverse, and the cities are as different in CA as New York is from Atlanta.
Yes I visit San Francisco/San Jose back in 2018 and though we had a car we definitely took the Transit to downtown San Francisco to go to Fisherman's wharf and it was pretty good. Going back to California in two weeks but will be visiting Bakersfield and somedays be in LA so I was hoping the transit system was better but heard it wasn't
But..does California know how to party?
Ask the locals about what areas to avoid trolls and crime. California is turning itself into a third world country. There are good reasons the middle class is leaving.
Yeah Ikr
We had 3 nights in San Fran then 10 days driving to LA and on to Las Vegas for 3 nights there. Great trip, 3 nights in LA was too much, 3 nights in San Fran was too short.
thanks for the heads up
Locals don't like SF to be called San Fran (or Frisco). Watch Eddie Izzard's"Dress to Kill" on that.
Mark, I would like to elaborate on your Like #2 about diversity and I don't say this from a Politically Correct viewpoint. I grew up in the Midwest like you but as my philosophy on life changed I found Midwesterners becoming judgmental toward me. In California, there are people from so many different places that have different philosophies that most people respect those of us with different thoughts on life.
I guess that lends some credence to the saying that "California is the land of fruits and nuts' (strange people) but it's nice to be a person with a non-traditional way of life and to be respected.
I believe it’s safe to admit we are “liberal and free” haha..
So happy to see you do a video on my home state :) you were right on the money with your loves and hates and I can’t wait for you and Jocelyn and the kids to come over to NorCal 😊
it will be a Fun trip. i am looking at SF and then up to the Oregon border.
california is my homestate I love it always will flaws and all and its a fave place to visit to!
It's crazy how you were here on the few days it rains a year. The pandas are no longer at the SD zoo. It's so true how some folks don't realize how far away things are. My family just came to visit from another country and they thought everything was so close. Always love your videos.
Mountain lions. Be with kids 100% of the time when being in National Parks.
What if I don't have kids?
@@robertschnobert9090 Then watch out for clever bears who will try to steal your food. And they are clever.
When he says san Francisco is north, haha. Try Redding, or Eureka, Arcata, Burney Falls, Chico, Fort Bragg, Pacific Crest Trail in sections, Sacramento. Just hanging around the foot hills or the Sierra mt., mammoth mt., lassen volcanic mt., this is the north.
I'm looking to move to L.A for my music career, this is really great to get an idea of what California is like when I can't unfortunately go there to see for myself until COVID is over 😁
If you're moving to LA,, be prepared to live not in LA city, but maybe in LA county or outside of it.
Looks almost as nice as Cleveland