25 Signs You’re a Californian at Heart

If you relate to at least 20 of these signs, you were probably born and raised in California or have lived there for a long time.

No matter where you live, your home state probably has a trademark or two. That special something that gives it flavor. It’s hard to know exactly where you’ll fit best, but if you like great weather, delicious Mexican food and epic ocean views, you might secretly be a Californian.

But before you book a one-way flight to Los Angeles or San Francisco, check out the signs that define the residents of this state.

You Get That SoCal and NorCal Are Basically Two Different States

Signs You’re a Californian: Know the difference between SoCal and NorCal

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To start us off, we want to address the fact that California’s huge — so much so that Southern California and Northern California are quite different in terms of culture, climate and terrain. You won’t find the massive redwoods of the north in the Los Angeles area in the same way you won’t get the deserty Joshua Tree vibe up in the San Francisco Bay.

That said, there are still a lot of similarities between the two that define what it means to be a Californian.

You Value Diversity

Group of friends in Santa Monica - Los Angeles - Have fun during a vacation

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California is known for palm trees, sandy beaches, a Mediterranean climate and diversity. They’re proud of all of those things, but that last one especially. Having people from so many cultures in one state means that Californians get to appreciate all of the unique qualities of each.

The best part? All the hole-in-the-wall restaurants with mind-blowing, authentic food from around the world.

Being Far Away From the Ocean Feels Claustrophobic

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When you’ve lived by the ocean your entire life, the thought of not being near water gives you unspecified anxiety.

The feeling of being landlocked is something that Californians just can’t get past.

You Adore Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods If You Have Money to Burn

Trader Joe's grocery store in Campbell California

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Aldi’s is still new to SoCal, and Trader Joe’s is amazing anyway. Why would anyone go anywhere else?

That is unless you want to spend $30 on fancy vegan cheese at Whole Foods.

You Either Work Remotely or Don’t Mind a Long Commute

Signs you're in California: a traffic jam in Los Angeles

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There’s a running joke that it takes an hour to get to L.A. from L.A. Unfortunately, it’s not a joke.

Same goes with San Francisco Bay Area traffic.

Frequenting Small, Family-Owned Businesses Is Your Thing

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“Buying local” is definitely a popular idea in California, especially in the Bay Area.

In fact, San Francisco has one of the highest revenue growth rates for small businesses across the U.S.

You Know It’s Not I-405, It’s ‘The’ 405

Blue 405 South Sign Entrance in Irvine, California

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Californian drivers are known for one particular quirk: saying “the” before freeway names. They don’t take I-91, they take the 91. There’s a perfectly good reason for this.

Originally, the freeways had full names, like “the Redondo Beach Freeway.” When the names were replaced with numbers, the habit of saying “the” at the beginning stuck.

You Know How to Surf, Snowboard and Skateboard

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Maybe you can’t do all three, but most Californians can do at least one.

(Or they’ve certainly tried.)

Your Idea of Business Casual Is Extra Casual

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In NorCal, it’s that classic tech look — skinny jeans, T-shirt and some very overpriced sneakers.

In SoCal, it’s shorts and flip-flops. In fact…

You Wear Flip-Flops Everywhere

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This is for those specifically from SoCal. But, why wouldn’t you wear flip-flops consistently when it’s 70 degrees Fahrenheit most of the time?

Plus, they’re super convenient.

You Know Better Than to Ask for a Ride to the Airport

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Navigating the maze that is LAX or SFO is a nightmare.

If someone volunteers to pick you up, propose to them on the spot. They’re the real deal.

Riding the Bus Is a Foreign Concept

Bus approaching station and stop in Olympic Boulevard in Beverly Hills.

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Of course, California has buses, but in Los Angeles, public transportation is less reliable, so most people drive their own cars. Same goes for San Diego.

And in San Francisco, those that have to take the MUNI line do so begrudgingly.

You Get Annoyed When People Think It’s Never Cold

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Do you see this? The blanket of wet, gray fog? This is called June gloom, and it covers up a large chunk of the California coast for at least a month in late spring to early summer. In San Francisco, it lasts into August.

During this time period, temperatures drop into the 50s and 60s, which is freezing by most Californians’ standards.

Any Amount of Snow Delights You to No End

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Do you see that? That patch of white on the ground that’s probably mostly ice? In California, that’s considered snow, and it’s thrilling.

Yes, there’s the Sierra Nevada mountain range that Californians flock to for the snow, but snowy days can be inconsistent and unpredictable. If you’re a California and see any form of snow, the excitement is undeniable.

You Have Intense Loyalty to at Least One Sports Team

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In Los Angeles, you’re a fan of the Rams, the Kings, the Lakers or the Dodgers, and in the Bay Area, it’s the 49ers, Warriors or Giants. And then there are all the San Diego, San Jose and Sacramento teams to root for as well.

Whichever area you’re from, Californians are serious about their sports.

You Know That Los Angeles Is Just an Umbrella Term

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People from Los Angeles aren’t really from Los Angeles. They’re from Long Beach, Santa Monica, Hollywood Hills, the Arts District, Redondo Beach and dozens of other highly specific regions within LA County.

Each one has its own vibe. People just say they’re from Los Angeles because it’s a recognizable name.

You Have Friends in the Performing Arts…

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Admittedly, if you dream of becoming an actor, Hollywood is the place to be. With that in mind, it’s super common for people who grew up in the area to attend performing arts schools or pursue a career in film or television.

It’s also very common for people to work as extras on movie sets just for some extra cash.

…Or the Tech Industry

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Of course, in San Francisco, tech’s the name of the game. Silicon Valley is home to Apple and Facebook and the thousands of startups trying to compete.

You really can’t walk 5 feet without running into someone who works in tech, so if you live in NorCal or are from here, you’re guaranteed to have a least a few friends in the industry.

Activewear Is Your Uniform for Life

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If you consider leggings normal attire for not just working out but also going to the grocery store, meeting with your accountant and grabbing lunch with a friend, then congrats: You’re an honorary Californian.

You Either Love Disneyland or Have Only Been Their Twice

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There are seriously only two options here. Either you own an annual pass or don’t care for it all that much.

The lines can get pretty intense, after all, and there are so many other things to do in California.

You Know the Best Camping Spots

Young Couple Parked Van at a Viewpoint of Lake Tahoe

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California is the definition of nature’s playgrounds, with hiking and camping options aplenty.

Whether you’re heading to Lake Tahoe or Joshua’s Tree, there’s always a camping spot to be found that truly does allow you to escape the hustle and bustle of California’s urban areas. And you’ll only let a few special people know about “your” spot for this very reason.

Music Festivals and Unique Experiences Are a Staple of Your Summers

People with their arms in air at music festival

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Coachella is a big deal in California, along with Outside Lands and countless other music-centered events. And Burning Man is basically a way of life in the Bay Area.

Summertime also brings rooftop movies, drive-in movies, concerts in the park and a number of pop-up museums.

You Own a Bike

Female friends enjoying cycling on a summer day

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Most people in SoCal have a bike rack on their cars and periodically haul their bike to the beach to ride along the strand, but it’s certainly not a mode of transportation with all that traffic to wade through.

But in NorCal, bike culture is so strong that there are traffic lanes dedicated to them throughout San Francisco and Oakland. Plus, there are coffee shops and pubs dedicated to those living that bike lifestyle.

Whether or Not You’re a Vegetarian, You Know Some Good Recipes for Your Guests Who Are

Vegan stew with chickpeas, sweet potato and kale in white bowl.

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It sounds like a stereotype, but there are a lot of health-conscious Californians.

Almost everyone has some sort of diet restriction, whether they’re vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free — you get it. Even if you don’t have one, you better believe you better have some accommodating recipes to whip up the next time you have guests.

You Routinely Question Whether the Cost of Living Is Worth It

Alamo square and Painted Ladies with San Francisco skyline

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To move or not to move? That is the question on every Californian’s mind, even though it’s typically a fleeting thought.

Sure, the cost of living is steep, but what would they do without all the great things that have kept them living here?