California is one of the most popular states in the US. Many things make it distinct compared with any other state in the country, and Californians take pride in most of these unique qualities. So, what does California have that other states don’t?
California has several things peculiar to it. They include Golden Gate Bridge, Griffiths, Hollywood, theme parks, Napa Valley, beach culture, diversity, stunning landscapes and weather, and all-season farmers’ markets. While these are great, it also has a unique negative feature like homelessness.
Not all these features, especially attributes, are exclusive to California. But the state has them in a magnitude that no other place in the country can boast of. This article discusses the things that are unique to California.
Quick navigation
1. All-Season Farmers Markets
California has a mild climate in most parts. This advantage enables the state to have abundant farm produce all year. In 2015, the state produced more than a third of the vegetables in the country and two-thirds of its fruits and nuts. No matter the season, you’ll find fresh produce in the farmers’ markets all over the state, and there’s always an abundance. So, there’s no chance of not finding a particular fruit or vegetable.
2. Beach Culture
California isn’t the only place with beaches. But no other state can boast of the beach culture that California has. The beaches of Southern California play host to millions of people annually, and going to the beach is part of the lifestyle here. The great weather for most of the year also makes it possible for its beaches to be packed, no matter the day. What has boosted the California beach culture is the California Coastal Act. The 840 miles of coastline in the state are technically open to the public. Even those who buy mansions by the beach don’t own the sand and surf and can’t exclude people.
3. Theme Parks
California is known for hosting Disneyland, a park that has received over 700 million since it opened in 1955. But there are other theme parks in the state. The popular ones include Legoland, Universal Studios Hollywood, and Knott’s Berry Farm. The state has the highest number of theme parks in the country.
4. Napa Valley
California’s Napa Valley produces some of the finest wines in the world. The Sonoma County wine region is known for its top-of-the-line Cabernet Sauvignons, Sauvignon Blancs, Syrahs, Zindafels, and Chardonnays. No other state in America can boast of a wine-producing region as prestigious as this. Napa Valley has the best wineries of any region in North America.
5. Hollywood
There’s no other place like Hollywood in the world. Here, you’ll find all the landmarks associated with the biggest film industry in the world. Places such as the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Hollywood Sign, etc., are just a few. This is the home of stars and living in Los Angeles gives you the best chance to meet any of the movie stars you’ve been watching on the screens for years. The Hollywood Bowl in California is the largest outdoor amphitheater in the world. The Walk of Fame is also here. Studios in Hollywood are responsible for a sizable chunk of the film industry revenue. Beyond Hollywood, California is as fun as it gets with several music festivals. Coachella, arguably the biggest music festival, is presently held here.
6. Griffiths
Los Angeles is considered the city of stars. That’s not just because of all the movie stars in the city. It’s also home to the Griffiths Observatory. This is one of the leading centers of astronomy in the country, and over 7 million people have been there to gaze at the stars through its telescope. This makes it the telescope with the highest number of eyes to have looked through it.
7. Homelessness
It’s not all positive in California. One of the issues unique to the state is its population of homeless people. It has the highest. Due to the high cost of housing and the good weather, many people have no choice but to live on the streets. It’s common to find signs of homelessness everywhere, especially in major cities. Every city contains thousands of homeless people, from Oakland and San Francisco to Los Angeles and San Diego. Any visitor here will be surprised to find rows of tents lining up various streets, but that’s normal in California.
8. Golden Gate Bridge
This bridge is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world. Located in San Francisco and named after the Golden gate strait passing below it, it has been standing since 1937 and was the longest until 1964.
9. Silicon Valley
California is the capital of technological innovation in the world, and this is due to Silicon Valley. Located in San Francisco, Silicon Valley has been home to the headquarters of most household companies since the days of the internet. Google, Meta, Twitter, Tesla, Apple, Uber, and more have their offices here. Unsurprisingly, the area contributes significantly to the state’s economy and attracts some of the most brilliant minds to the state.
10. Stunning Landscape
Despite the effects of climate change in the area, California has a stunning landscape with many parks. There are 280 state parks and nine national parks part of the 28 federal government-protected areas. Major sights include Sierra Nevada peaks which contain three parks Lake Tahoe, Death Valley, etc. the state also contains redwoods or sequoias, including the biggest single stem tree in the world, General Sherman, in the Sequoia National Park. Giant sequoias like this are exclusive to California.
11. Diversity and Progressive Politics
California has been one of the leading states regarding progressive policies. It’s diverse in almost every aspect and has taken the front row in almost every action. For decades, the state has had its vehicle emission standards and established high standards for environmental protection. This isn’t surprising, given just how much the state is affected by climate change effects. Flooding, droughts, fire, fogs, and more. But the state also has one of the best air qualities in the country. The diversity here includes racial and ethnic diversity, with over 60% of the population being people of color. 11% of immigrants in the US live in Los Angeles County, and the state has the highest number of immigrants globally.
In Conclusion
California is unique in several ways. It has landmarks, attributes, and ecological features that distinguish it from every other state in the country. This has also helped it develop its unique identity.
