Why I Love Southern California

To begin with, let me tell you a little story that my mother likes to tell. When the call comes for everyone to leave California, the instructions will be the "the last one out, turn the lights off." After the lights go off, a voice will come out of the darkness, "hey turn those lights back on, I'm still in here." That will be me. It actually has a ring of truth. Some of my reasons for loving So. Cal are: the beautiful weather, which is second to none, the endless array of outdoor activities, the beautiful array of fauna and flora, which blooms or flowers year round, and living in the entertainment capital of the world isn't bad either. I did say some of the reasons. I'll just stop here and elaborate.

First of all I have five children, (all grown), that are as enamored with So. Cal. as I am, and they were born here. We do have points of reference, as we have traveled all over the U.S.,Canada, and Mexico. I've even been to Europe and I am originally from Atlanta Ga. Make no mistake I am not saying that we don't like any of the other places that we've traveled, or lived. To the contrary I have actually really liked some of the places that I've visited or lived. I am only saying that I love Southern California. due in large part to the things that I have listed. I digress, back to my elaboration.

To begin with, the weather is my primary reason. About the weather here, it is relatively dry, humidity and otherwise. We virtually have no rain during the summer months. Some would complain about the lack of rain, but not me. You see during the summer, (my favorite time of the year), you can plan outdoor activities and they are almost always sure to take place. I say almost because, we have an occasional summer "chill." Of course we haven't had one of those in years. We do, however, have what is commonly known as June gloom, that begins some years, in May, with May gray, and last throughout May and June. During that time the weather is overcast and gloomy,even then we can enjoy successful outdoor activities. The best part of the weather is that no matter how hot it is during the day, it cools down enough at night to sleep without using an air conditioner, on that part I speak for myself. The winters are not bad either. I have not owned an overcoat in over thirty five years, even then I didn't wear it, I only wear sweater coats during the "cold" weather. I don't even own any wool clothes. Enough about the weather.

The flora and fauna are totally out of this world. I've seen some of the most beautiful plants and flowers in the world just growing wild. In some neighborhoods, every other house grows some sort of fruit or nut tree in their yard, especially citrus trees, (lemon, orange, grapefruit, etc). You can also find grape vines full of grapes all over the place. I have or have had, lemon, grape, peach, nectarine, fig, plum, apple, pear trees or vines, etc. It doesn't take much property, skill or care to grow these delicious edibles. So you don't have to have a green thumb. I never buy lemons, because even if mine are not in bloom, one of my friends are.

The mountains, "Oh, the mountains, are breathtaking." That's the expression that I hear from out of town family and friends, visiting for the first time. To tell the truth that's when I begin to notice them anew. Although I do appreciate them, I just don't notice them as much, until someone brings them to my attention.

One of the main reasons that I love it here, are the outdoor activities. Beginning with the amusement parks, such as Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, Six Flags, Sea World and many, many more. Did I mention the beaches,especially the world renown Venice Beach. Need I even mention Malibu. I can't say that I am and avid beach goer, but I do go on occasions Just the fact that they are there when I want to go is a plus. Then there are the annual events that take place. Just to name a few, The Rose Bowl Parade, The Strawberry Festival, endless Jazz Festivals, and more too numerous to name. But my all time favorite is the Los Angeles County Fair. When our children were young. we had annual rituals. We took them to Knotts Berry Farm, the Zoo, and the County Fair every year. Every other year we went to Disneyland, Six Flags and others. The beach was always on the list. Some of our vacations were spent on driving up or down the coast, to San Diego, San Francisco, Canada, Mexico etc. These are memories that our children and we ourselves, can cherish for a lifetime. This is why the weather plays a big part in why I love Southern California.

Now that the children are gone and I am no longer married, I don't do a lot of the things that I use to. I have found a few new things to do that don't require children or a husband. I do continue to enjoy my all time favorite activities. The Jazz festivals, The Strawberry Festival and others, and my most cherished of all the L.A. County Fair. I attend the fair no less than five times during its three week run. Most years I try to attend about ten times. When I can't find anyone to go with me I attend alone, which is perfectly safe, and fine with me.

Being the entertainment capital of the world, I get to see free movie and TV show premieres, before they are out to the public. The Staples Center, The Rose Bowl, Universal Studios, Grauman's Chinese Theater, and the like are wonders in themselves. Now that L.A. Live has been added to downtown L.A., it's brought Los Angeles a whole new status. In other words they are coming up in the world. The new Nokia Theater has brought a new ambiance to the downtown area. There are numerous Promenades, Walks, Beaches, etc, that are very entertaining also. I guess you can tell that outdoor activities are important to me. So in a nutshell these are some of the reasons why I love Southern California.