I've wanted to air this out for a while...
As a born & bred east coaster, I have always had a jealous streak in me when it comes to my west coast compadres that grew up in sunny CA back in the day.
Now don't get me wrong, east coast livin' has been great to me...no regrets there, but It always seemed like the CA folks had a monopoly on hip-ness and fun when it came to everything I was into. They were always a step or two ahead of everyone else.
Of course, my world as a kid revolved around biking, skateboarding, waveriding, snowboarding (most of which was seemingly INVENTED in CA...)
There was just something so appealing about the culture out there in the 70's - was it just my perception? Was/Am I just falling for some marketing hype? As I get older, it seems even more appealing to me...of course everyone yearns for past times, but I just can't imagine that growing up out there during that era wasn't just a blast.
I need some insight from you CA natives...was it really as cool as it seemed? Or was it just another place to grow up, and TV made it seem like the coolest place on Earth?
Feeling a bit insightful this morning...
Full Version: My California Envy...
You're right. It was the coolest. Specially in the 70s.
When I look back on it, yeah it was a pretty great time. But when your a kid you can't really appreciate things like you do when your an "adult" and have had a few decades to reflect. I don't take it for granted anymore. Lovin' life in So. Cal. Traffic and all!
fires, earthquakes, illegal immigration, smog, over population.............yeah fun
GO SOX!!!!!!!
GO SOX!!!!!!!
Growing up in Ca ruled! And yes, the plethora of outdoor activities made things the best. The 70's and 80's kicked major butt.
Yeah hate to break it you you, but growing up in So. Cal was AWESOME, as STODD mentioned, the 70's and 80's were bi tchen! Race tracks everywhere, "bowl" skateparks, Home of a lot of BMX companies including the mighty BMXA.
Another thing, you had/have Skiing, Camping, Desert, Beaches, Lakes, all within a 2 hour drive.
TONE is obvioulsy J-E-A-L-O-U-S!
Another thing, you had/have Skiing, Camping, Desert, Beaches, Lakes, all within a 2 hour drive.
TONE is obvioulsy J-E-A-L-O-U-S!
I've lived in SoCal my whole life...I have to say, that I can't imagine living any place else in the country. As kid, there were plenty of riding spots, skating spots, and there was always the beach. Even before I could drive, I would skate with my boogie board to the bus stop, take the bus to the beach, skate down the strand, spend the day in the sun and then take the bus home just in time for dinner. Did that just about everyday. Now that I am older, I have lived on The Strand, and have just bought a condo about 5 blocks from the beach.
If you can deal with traffic, SoCal is the place to be.
If you can deal with traffic, SoCal is the place to be.
Actually, John, it's not marketing hype. California really is that cool. Of course, having lived in both SoCal and NorCal, I'd have to say that NorCal is even cooler. Keep that part under your hat though...I don't want any more LA people moving up here.
haha...so I guess reality IS what I thought!
Ramon - true, there are some perks here, but different vibe altogether.
Great replies! Keep the stories coming CA natives!
Ramon - true, there are some perks here, but different vibe altogether.
Great replies! Keep the stories coming CA natives!
If I had to move out there, it had BETTER be that cool for what I'd have to pay for a roof over my head!
For what it's worth, I have a friend from Illinois (where I lived BITD) who eventually moved out to LA, and still lives there, and absolutely loves it. His sister, two years younger, tried it and hated it, and before long moved out again. So it's not for everyone, I guess. Myself, I have never lived there but have visited CA many times over the years, including a visit to the exalted Wiz Pubs office one year, and I could probably dig it...seems like a place you could blend into pretty well so you'd have some anonymity. Small towns (and even small cities) sometimes give you the feeling everyone knows what you're up to all the time. Okay, now I'm babbling.
For what it's worth, I have a friend from Illinois (where I lived BITD) who eventually moved out to LA, and still lives there, and absolutely loves it. His sister, two years younger, tried it and hated it, and before long moved out again. So it's not for everyone, I guess. Myself, I have never lived there but have visited CA many times over the years, including a visit to the exalted Wiz Pubs office one year, and I could probably dig it...seems like a place you could blend into pretty well so you'd have some anonymity. Small towns (and even small cities) sometimes give you the feeling everyone knows what you're up to all the time. Okay, now I'm babbling.
I have done this.
Got up in the Morning and went Surfing. Got home went to Big Bear and went Night Snow Skiing. Not many places you can do that!
I road my bike the day before and day after.
Got up in the Morning and went Surfing. Got home went to Big Bear and went Night Snow Skiing. Not many places you can do that!
I road my bike the day before and day after.
Gary - dude...now that's just rubbing it in!
So Cal, there's no place like home. Where else can you ride a bike, surf, skate and snowboard on the same day. It's a little over a 100 degrees today in L.A. depending on where you're at. We wear parkas when it's 60 cuz we call that freezing! Driving in snow is by choice, block heaters? salt on the roads for traction? What is it? Rain? what is it? and yes L.A. drivers don't know how to drive in it because it's a freak occurence. Yes, real estate is high, especially if you don't make a California salary and yes we pay about .50 cents more for a gallon of gas and spend more time in traffic, but I wouldn't trade it for anywhere else.
108 and breezy (blow torch like) today in San Bernardino. Still went riding today at lunch, and it was pretty miserable. However, I live in the mountains, so tonight will be nicer, maybe just in the 80's.
I don't touch a freeway going to work, and it's a 25 mile commute. Yes, in the winter it snows, but nothing like what happens in the midwest. In 22 years, I've only been "snowed in" one day when I couldn't get to work. Wildfires are different, they screw up things a lot more than snow ever has.
Weekend plans: Go to the free concert tonight ( I think it's 60's & 70's rock) for tunes and beer, go mountain bike riding tomorrow morning, lake swim/bbq in the afternnoon. Road ride on Sunday. (The Tour might get me inspired), and catch the Moto GP in the afternoon.
I wouldn't trade this place for anywhere else right now.
I don't touch a freeway going to work, and it's a 25 mile commute. Yes, in the winter it snows, but nothing like what happens in the midwest. In 22 years, I've only been "snowed in" one day when I couldn't get to work. Wildfires are different, they screw up things a lot more than snow ever has.
Weekend plans: Go to the free concert tonight ( I think it's 60's & 70's rock) for tunes and beer, go mountain bike riding tomorrow morning, lake swim/bbq in the afternnoon. Road ride on Sunday. (The Tour might get me inspired), and catch the Moto GP in the afternoon.
I wouldn't trade this place for anywhere else right now.
I have to say, So Cal is a hard place to leave. Here in Torrance(Home of BMXA) we have almost 365 days of perfect weather(about 75 with a nice afternoon breeze)! Living in the South Bay(South L.A) as a kid was un-real. I grew up Surf'n, Skate'n, BMX'n and playing every sport you can name. I know you can do that just about anywhere but here the weather is never a factor. As a kid I would ride my bike down to FMF in Harbor City to get free stickers...now I work for them! Life's not too bad right now!
I dont know if I would want to raise a kid here now but back then it was GGGGGGreat
O ya, Dodgers bite right now but you cant beat LA. We have it all and we know it. Don't be hate'n Tone! IL is nice 3 months out of the year right?
I dont know if I would want to raise a kid here now but back then it was GGGGGGreat
O ya, Dodgers bite right now but you cant beat LA. We have it all and we know it. Don't be hate'n Tone! IL is nice 3 months out of the year right?
Well, if anyone had to lower the level of discourse, I count on me to do it. So I will hijack the thread with more NorCal pride:
NorCal or No Cal at All.
Speaking of which, where are my NorCal homies to back me up on this? JP? Fraser?
NorCal or No Cal at All.
Speaking of which, where are my NorCal homies to back me up on this? JP? Fraser?
Another Nor-Cal here. 70's and 80's were huge. We were doing all kind's of stuff BMX, skateing. Snowboarding (on home made boards). Lived in Ventura and Oxnard for a while. Rented a place on the strand that was across the street from the beach. Those beach partys were great.
I think there was a song several years ago that said something like, ( live in NYC once but leave before it makes you hard. Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft. Travel) Spent some time in NYC.
Now live in the high sierra's of nor-cal(20 years). We get lots of snow in the winter and have awesome summers with temps in the 80's and 90's( thunder storms geeting ready to go off right now!). Fires, sometimes. Earthquakes, once in a while. Expensive,Yes! but oh so much fun!!! I am watching lightining out my window as I type. Will go swiming in Donner lake around dark and can still see snow up high on Donner summit.
Yeah California is different ,good and bad. If you've never been, you should ...if only for a while.
Cheers
We have a bmx track here in town for the summer and I have my snowmobile for alll the back country stuff in the winter.
I think there was a song several years ago that said something like, ( live in NYC once but leave before it makes you hard. Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft. Travel) Spent some time in NYC.
Now live in the high sierra's of nor-cal(20 years). We get lots of snow in the winter and have awesome summers with temps in the 80's and 90's( thunder storms geeting ready to go off right now!). Fires, sometimes. Earthquakes, once in a while. Expensive,Yes! but oh so much fun!!! I am watching lightining out my window as I type. Will go swiming in Donner lake around dark and can still see snow up high on Donner summit.
Yeah California is different ,good and bad. If you've never been, you should ...if only for a while.
Cheers
We have a bmx track here in town for the summer and I have my snowmobile for alll the back country stuff in the winter.
To gravy train off of what Ramon said, add visit another country (Mexico) in that 2 hour drive.
I come from a long lineage of Brooklyn'rs & leaving NY was hard, but I've gotta admit Cali is the place to be.
C'mon Tone..........Would you rather look at Lake Michigan or the Pacific on a daily basis?
I thought so.
Btw, Dodgers Suck Then and Now.
I come from a long lineage of Brooklyn'rs & leaving NY was hard, but I've gotta admit Cali is the place to be.
C'mon Tone..........Would you rather look at Lake Michigan or the Pacific on a daily basis?
I thought so.
Btw, Dodgers Suck Then and Now.
OK So Cal was and maybe is still cool.
Born and raised (in So Cal) my big gripe is the traffic. Suddenly my place in Montana is lookin real good.
Be happy where you are if you can! All places have something good about them if you look.
Born and raised (in So Cal) my big gripe is the traffic. Suddenly my place in Montana is lookin real good.
Be happy where you are if you can! All places have something good about them if you look.
kool thread
imo, you guys are right on about the "California lifestyle" , as a New Yorker all of my life I'll admit that I wished I lived in Cali when I was a kid...it seemed like all of the cool movies, the extreme sports, and the metal scene were all based outa Cali...no-way now though, for one I dont think I could afford to live comfortably on the west coast, and I hate traffic...now I just wanna go live up in mountain with my dog and my bike. I suppose it could be a California mountain though...
imo, you guys are right on about the "California lifestyle" , as a New Yorker all of my life I'll admit that I wished I lived in Cali when I was a kid...it seemed like all of the cool movies, the extreme sports, and the metal scene were all based outa Cali...no-way now though, for one I dont think I could afford to live comfortably on the west coast, and I hate traffic...now I just wanna go live up in mountain with my dog and my bike. I suppose it could be a California mountain though...
fires, earthquakes, illegal immigration, smog, cruiserking, dave Lucas, jesse vargas & the list goes way on.
Tell you what. You guys might have the weather but I grew up in South Boston. I wouldn't trade my childhood for the world.
Tell you what. You guys might have the weather but I grew up in South Boston. I wouldn't trade my childhood for the world.
fires, earthquakes, illegal immigration, smog, cruiserking, dave Lucas, jesse vargas & the list goes way on. LOL
I think Kerry is also J-E-A-L-O-U-S! While I doubt anyone would trade their childhood for the world, I think the thread was started to ask of So. Cal members if the "image" of So. Cal is true, and to certain extent, it is.
It wasn't meant to bag on any other part of the U.S. Chill out people. (oh Hillary 2008, that explains a lot!)
It wasn't meant to bag on any other part of the U.S. Chill out people. (oh Hillary 2008, that explains a lot!)
I love So.cal but its gone down hill and continues, of course everwhere else has too... Murderapolis, MN isn't any better .
The 70's and 80's must have been great there. I lived there in 91 ( gulf war time) and it was a very difficult time period for me. I visit every year and it gets a little worse, but I still like it. Funny how that works... I need my Willow Springs fix ya know.
The 70's and 80's must have been great there. I lived there in 91 ( gulf war time) and it was a very difficult time period for me. I visit every year and it gets a little worse, but I still like it. Funny how that works... I need my Willow Springs fix ya know.
quote:LOL. Illegal immigrants try to go as far north as they can where it's a little harder to get caught. I was in Chicago a few weeks ago and I thought I was home in L.A. because of the ethnic diversity of the population, which is a good thing. City's without ethnic diversity are pretty bland, IMO.
fires, earthquakes, illegal immigration, smog, cruiserking, dave Lucas, jesse vargas & the list goes way on.
For the record, Chicago Rocks, so does NYC, Miami and every city in Cali, but there is still no place like L.A.
Brad - The area around Willow does get a lil worse every year because that is one of the few places in L.A. county that still has "affordable" housing. You can't buy a home within 20 miles of downtown L.A. for less than 600K, in a decent neighborhood. In the high desert you can buy a brand new home for right around 300k. So that is where some of the trouble makers end up.
I think it's a lot better here than in the early 90's. We used to have serious gang problems, drive-by's (they still happen), car jackings, etc. It's not as bad as it was. I live in a suburb of L.A. that is considered a pretty rough area, and it has gotten a lot better than it was when I was in my teens. But that's what happens when the real estate value goes up.
I think it's a lot better here than in the early 90's. We used to have serious gang problems, drive-by's (they still happen), car jackings, etc. It's not as bad as it was. I live in a suburb of L.A. that is considered a pretty rough area, and it has gotten a lot better than it was when I was in my teens. But that's what happens when the real estate value goes up.
im my area for 300k, I could purchase 3 new houses in a nice neighborhood...lol, Cali definetly aint for me.
born, bred, and raised ,in SO CAL no other place like home . bmx, rancho, kerney ,lakeside, skate parks del mar. oa'ace's ?/spelling it was skate park under the 805 free way . the beach the mountains the desert all whith in driving distance. and well there the fmf'er and all of the other crazy's california is nice but now over priced. id rather move. and besides some day it's going to break off and float around in the ocean.
John, you don't really specify Nor Cal or So Cal in your post but I think you're talking about what's more iconic to So Cal. But yeah, I've thanked my parents over and over for moving out here in the 50's and raising us in the city. It was crazy and sketchy at times being poor as dirt but I loved growing up in CA. Really though, SF proper is really it's own little place not like many others.
The bike/skate scene here was awesome. We took it for granted but riding the streets was the coolest thing. And, it was really *riding* the streets - not getting in a car and going from spot to spot. We hit everything along the way and the hills made it that much more fun. Back then I thought it was all about getting to the track but after a while I was like "man, it's all about right here."
I love this place for a million reasons.
The bike/skate scene here was awesome. We took it for granted but riding the streets was the coolest thing. And, it was really *riding* the streets - not getting in a car and going from spot to spot. We hit everything along the way and the hills made it that much more fun. Back then I thought it was all about getting to the track but after a while I was like "man, it's all about right here."
I love this place for a million reasons.
I'm really talking about the 70's in SoCal...but I'm sure NorCal was cool as well.
A lot of the 'image' in my brain is from what I was exposed to as a kid. Having been there as an adult gives a whole different impression of course.
The traffic in LA alone kills it for me these days!
A lot of the time, an era comes and goes, and is gone. A lot of the innocence of the cool things going on in CA back in the day was killed when commercialism took over & pimped it all out.
Times have changed...it's getting more and more rare to find kids excited about something like bmx or skating like back then. Especially since they spend all their time attached to a game control or a cell phone/ipod/laptop...
Damn I sound like an old curmudgeon!
A lot of the 'image' in my brain is from what I was exposed to as a kid. Having been there as an adult gives a whole different impression of course.
The traffic in LA alone kills it for me these days!
A lot of the time, an era comes and goes, and is gone. A lot of the innocence of the cool things going on in CA back in the day was killed when commercialism took over & pimped it all out.
Times have changed...it's getting more and more rare to find kids excited about something like bmx or skating like back then. Especially since they spend all their time attached to a game control or a cell phone/ipod/laptop...
Damn I sound like an old curmudgeon!
GT3540, I just like to run at Willow, not live out there.. But your right, the Palm-caster area is kinda like what you said
I just wish you Nor Cal doods would quit selling million dollar homes and moving to Reno/Sparks.
I had the luck of being in So-Cal and also Nor-Cal (Santa Cruz Area) in the 70s and early 80s. skating, surfing and most importantly BMXing. Yah, we had and have our troubles but I sure as heck wouldn't have traded it for anything or anywhere else.
I must also add that people like Cash Matthews and Matt Raymer from Oklahoma and the Essers from Florida (among many others) have my respect for taking the sport outside of the confines of the valley
I must also add that people like Cash Matthews and Matt Raymer from Oklahoma and the Essers from Florida (among many others) have my respect for taking the sport outside of the confines of the valley
You guys have it all wrong. New Zealand is the place to be... Although, we're a bit too close to Antarctica...At least, our winter feels like it right now...LOL
Seriously, CA seemed like a cool place to be in the 70's and 80's.
Seriously, CA seemed like a cool place to be in the 70's and 80's.
Yawn... The birth place of x-treme!
I bet CA was really cool in the 60's too, but maybe a bit to cool depending on what your into. heeheee.
CA was the birth place for many cool things. The climate is the primary reason.
Minnesota on the other hand is worthless. The Winters aren't even Winters anymore.....and I hate cold Weather. I think the Metro got 25" of snow last Winter. Now you know why the Rondo Classic was such a big deal those years
Okay, back to CA, I'm getting depressed...
[ July 22, 2006, 09:33 PM: Message edited by: Brad Apold ]
CA was the birth place for many cool things. The climate is the primary reason.
Minnesota on the other hand is worthless. The Winters aren't even Winters anymore.....and I hate cold Weather. I think the Metro got 25" of snow last Winter. Now you know why the Rondo Classic was such a big deal those years
Okay, back to CA, I'm getting depressed...
[ July 22, 2006, 09:33 PM: Message edited by: Brad Apold ]
John,
I think almost all the east coast guys were
envious looking at pictures in BMXA and the scene and fads that slowly made their way towards the east....especially during the winter (freezer box like cold in JC Armory and whatever that indoor track was called in Maryland comes to mind). But hey, without the east coast there would be no rap music and break dancing and our girls had way bigger hair!
I think almost all the east coast guys were
envious looking at pictures in BMXA and the scene and fads that slowly made their way towards the east....especially during the winter (freezer box like cold in JC Armory and whatever that indoor track was called in Maryland comes to mind). But hey, without the east coast there would be no rap music and break dancing and our girls had way bigger hair!
Ramon...jealous of perfect weather everyday? Of course I am.
I've lived in NorCal since I legally immigrated here 30 years ago. I couldn't live anywhere else. SoCal is a great place as well. Fortunately, I have family there so I can crash, freeload, and take my mini vacations every couple months. If you haven't been to Calfornia, plan your next family vacation here.
Yes indeed. NoCal is BEAUTIFUL!
If your ever have a chance to drive PCH, you'll never forget it.....
that drive up the 1 from Santa Barbara to the Bay area is second to none!
If your ever have a chance to drive PCH, you'll never forget it.....
that drive up the 1 from Santa Barbara to the Bay area is second to none!
There is something that So. California lacks in comparision to the East and Midwest, that "Old" established feeling, you know, old architecture and such. Los Angeles always seems to be re-inventing and re-building itself.
The old neighborhoods in Chicago by Wrigley Field, the buildings in New York, Boston Harbor, you get none of that character in California Kerry, so that is one thing I am jealous of.
The old neighborhoods in Chicago by Wrigley Field, the buildings in New York, Boston Harbor, you get none of that character in California Kerry, so that is one thing I am jealous of.
quote:I think it's because all the buildings and freeways have to be earthquake proof. You'll never see an old brick building in San Francisco. I'm surprised SBC park is brick. But I am not convinced it's real brick. Must be artificial brick.
There is something that So. California lacks in comparision to the East and Midwest, that "Old" established feeling, you know, old architecture and such.
Yeah, I'm sure it's artificial. My brother was the project manager for the piping systems there. I think it's called "AT&T" park now. Whatever... Let's rename all our landmarks!
Yeah, seeing all the brick in the East Coast is a trip. We've certainly got our share of old buildings in SF though. My house was built in 1909 and there are plenty here that are older.
One thing I really like about the older cities are the Art Deco buildings. I'd say the Chrysler building in New York and the GG Bridge in SF are the icons but there is also an amazing theater in Oakland called the Paramount that is a must see if you're ever in the area and like that kind of stuff.
http://www.paramounttheatre.com
Oh, back on topic: the best freestyle contest ever was the first Venice Beach contest in 1984. Outdoor, right next to the beach, no admission. I remember being bummed when they started to get really big and stage them in warehouses.
Yeah, seeing all the brick in the East Coast is a trip. We've certainly got our share of old buildings in SF though. My house was built in 1909 and there are plenty here that are older.
One thing I really like about the older cities are the Art Deco buildings. I'd say the Chrysler building in New York and the GG Bridge in SF are the icons but there is also an amazing theater in Oakland called the Paramount that is a must see if you're ever in the area and like that kind of stuff.
http://www.paramounttheatre.com
Oh, back on topic: the best freestyle contest ever was the first Venice Beach contest in 1984. Outdoor, right next to the beach, no admission. I remember being bummed when they started to get really big and stage them in warehouses.
What? Nothing old in Ca?!
I grew up in Southern OC. San Juan Capo dates back to the 1800's.
I lived in SF for 13 years. If you think SF ain't old enough, go for a visit. Victorians abound and there are some bars there that still have p!ss troughs and crushed red upholstered walls.
Dating back to the 1700's like much of the East coast, no you won't find that there. Remember, California was still Mexico back then and populated only by native Americans. I doubt you can find a 300 year old TeePee anywhere in this country.
I grew up in Southern OC. San Juan Capo dates back to the 1800's.
I lived in SF for 13 years. If you think SF ain't old enough, go for a visit. Victorians abound and there are some bars there that still have p!ss troughs and crushed red upholstered walls.
Dating back to the 1700's like much of the East coast, no you won't find that there. Remember, California was still Mexico back then and populated only by native Americans. I doubt you can find a 300 year old TeePee anywhere in this country.
quote:Highway 1 is my favorite road to drive
that drive up the 1 from Santa Barbara to the Bay area is second to none!
quote:I guess it depends what you consider old. The Financial district is full of brick buildings dating back to the 1907/1908 rebuilding after the quake.
You'll never see an old brick building in San Francisco.
and furthermore, I love it here...and loved growing up here. Can't think of a better place to live than San Francisco
I wonder if the brick buildings in SF's financial district got an artificial brick upgrade. Don't get me wrong, I love SF, but bricks and earthquakes freak me out a little.
they've had to be retrofitted by law, I'm pretty sure they've all been upgraded. If you've been here for a while I'm sure you've seen many crews during the 90's upgrading buildings
Thanks for the replies, guys...good to know I wasn't just imagining it was a cool place to be back then
All I have to do is listen to Supertramp "Breakfast In America" and I'm instantly transported to the Southern California of my youthful dreams. That album is always in heavy rotation when the weather turns warm.
Growing up in the Puget Sound/Seattle area didn't suck either. Lots of skiing and water skiing, but a horrible lack of BMX tracks and skateparks.
My dad almost took a job in Palo Alto when I was 14. I was totally bummed when he decided against it. San Mateo and Marin counties are pretty *****in'. I spent a year in the Sierras and I could live there and not cry about it, but for now I'll have to be content to live where all the Californians move to!
I hope my kid (due Nov. 13) appreciates this place as much as I do.
JP
Livin' in dreary ol' Bozeman, MT
Growing up in the Puget Sound/Seattle area didn't suck either. Lots of skiing and water skiing, but a horrible lack of BMX tracks and skateparks.
My dad almost took a job in Palo Alto when I was 14. I was totally bummed when he decided against it. San Mateo and Marin counties are pretty *****in'. I spent a year in the Sierras and I could live there and not cry about it, but for now I'll have to be content to live where all the Californians move to!
I hope my kid (due Nov. 13) appreciates this place as much as I do.
JP
Livin' in dreary ol' Bozeman, MT
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