California Is Weirder Than Hollywood Lets On
Think you really know California? It's a state with coastal redwoods that could photobomb the moon, In-N-Out burgers that you'll have to devour to appreciate (and wait 45 minutes for), and avocados that are worshiped like green gold. Let's run through the facts, stats, and seismic gossip that showcase what makes California's kale smoothie glazed fever dream irresistible.
Jessica, Our Local Expert Guiding Your Move
Jessica is a born and raised Angeleno who has spent 30 years bouncing between East LA, the Westside, and the Valley, usually with a trunk full of boxes and a strong opinion about neighborhoods. She moved eight times between 2013 and 2023 and genuinely loves it, especially the decluttering part and the chance to reinvent herself with each new move. A former teacher of eight years, she has taught everyone from pre K kids learning their ABCs to high schoolers stressing over college essays. She loves California for the beaches, sunshine, hidden lakes, and hikes that feel like they belong in another state entirely. Her guilty pleasure is the Custard Front Drive donut from Donut Friend, she road trips whenever possible, and she is slowly working through a bucket list of every national park. She lives with two bonded cats, Marty the black cat and Jelly the tabby. At Snappy Scout, Jessica edits California guides with deep local instincts built over decades of real CA living.
Read moreWritten with local insight from Snappy Scout relocation experts
What Makes California California?
The weird, useful, and surprisingly relevant facts that shape everyday life here.
Locals Know Best
Don’t sleep on the park and ride shuttles! They are available for concert venues and theme parks and have flexible schedules. You won’t have to worry about paying for inflated parking or walking half a mile to get to the entrance (and then back to your car at night). They are affordable and so convenient.
— Jessica Montes
California Local Expert
Ready to See If California Fits You?
Compare cities, check the routes, or head back to the full California guide for the bigger picture.