This fact struck me today. or should I say, you have to Bergenser to really appreciate California. What is my top ten California list? Read further…

Coming from a cold & wet climate in Bergen, Norway, California offers something entirely different. In every way. What are my top 10 list about this place? (Note: in my mind California, or Nor-cali I should say, goes from San Francisco to about Santa Barbara with San Luis Obispo being the key place).

  1. The weather… duuuh! I spoke with Coach Ellerson today at the Cal Poly Football Office (great guy, real tough but he’s brought forth some NFL players from a small school, two which played when I was in the program). He asked me: “what’s the summer like in Norway?” The only answer I could come up with: “Like winters here in SLO”.
  2. The people: On my way down here I engaged in numerous of random conversation… about the weather, birds, the view… you name it. Many Norwegians find Americans very shallow and artificial always asking how you’re doing as if they care. I find it nice. They do something to make you feel comfortable. They add a smile to it and strangers may in fact make you feel good! Maybe you should try it sometime, fellow Norwegians :-) I have some really good Californian friends (cheers, that’s to you guys!)
  3. Laidbackness: If no one got hurt or died, no harm done. Sure our project is late, we just have to adjust it. Seriously, it’s not the end of the world is it? This mellow attitude more often than not contribute to the label “slacker”. But in my opinion it’s an important trait to have to avoid stress and still be able to do you job successfully. Keeping that mental perspective got me through MIT and aced it. UPDATE: Funny thing would have it that I sat next to a Phd in Psychology from Stanford on the plane back to Boston who happened to be an expert on the subject. What are the chances of writing about it one day and meeting the expert by chance the next day?
  4. Highway 1: Can’t beat it. The trip is amazing. Big surr especially. We have grand nature in Norway that can blow most minds away (that’s why Yosemite park doesn’t quite impress me). But the coast along H1 brings something very unique. I found a spot by high above the pacific to sit for a while. For some reason, no cars passed for 2 minutes. Very peaceful, just the sight of the ocean, the sun and the sound of waves slamming into the rocks.
  5. San Francisco: A marvelous city. I spent an hour walking from Fishermans wharf to Union Square. The architecture is quite astonishing. If you’re ever in SF, make sure you only take the cable car one way. Walk back and enjoy the details!
  6. Small towns: You cannot go to California without visiting the small towns by the coast. Check out mendocino for an astonishing town with bunch of gardens. Carmel by the sea is similar, where Clint Eastwood used to be a major. Sausalito gives the best view to the San Francisco skyline right at the other side of golden gate. Cambria is an architecture highlight, with houses in all sorts and colors. solvang is a danish copy. Monterey and San Luis Obispo is a bit larger but very mellow and nice places to hang out. You cannot go wrong with either of them. Santa Barbara is even bigger but offer small town feel, lot’s of good restaurants by the street, nice beaches and a tremendous atmosphere.
  7. The beaches: A few days ago I had the entire Morro Bay Beach by my self. That was until a pelican decided to join me no more than 10 feet away. Just me and the bird. It kept looking at me and walking though the water. It was a very peaceful time shared with a … bird.
  8. San Diego: A wonderful city with a beautiful skyline. The food is great, a mellow atmosphere and make sure to check out Coronado. A military & student city, but has lot to offer. A great place to hang out! Be careful not to be recruited to the marines when you’re there. They seriously tried to recruit me but after five times of telling them that I was from Norway and had already finished my service they reluctantly let me go.
  9. (new) Theme parks: I will NEVER get too old for Disneyland! I love the small houses and meeting up with my favorite characters. I even got a kiss from Beauty once… all when the Beast was right next to her. How about THAT! Six Flags, Universal and Sea World are all highly recommended.
  10. The visiting Norwegians. Yes, us. California would not be the same without us. Norway has a big supporter group in San Francisco and we encounter extremely positive reactions wherever we go in California. Everybody is MORE nice to us when we say we’re from Norway than if we don’t. In return we brag about the place sooo much.

Enjoy :-)

UPDATE: So I got a few responses about other places that I like to mention:

  • Los Angeles: First time I visited I had a friend telling me “all you ever heard about LA, good or bad, is probably true”. I don’t find LA very appealing. Sure, its got its places, like Muscle beach on Venice Beach, a great place for people watching, Hollywood walk of fame - tourist trap, Bel Air and Beverly Hills (nice houses!), the hotel used in Pretty Woman, LAX, Santa Monica Peer and even (most notably) the USC vs UCLA football game! But still, kind of dissappointing. If you survive traffick that is.
  • Yosemite & Sequoia: Beatiful parks that will blow most people away with stunning nature… except if you’re from Norway
  • Wine districts: I’ve heard good things about them but neven went wine tasting
  • Highway 5: Boooooooooriiiiiiiiiiing! Takes you through the most boring valley in the world… all the 7-8 hous it takes to drive SF - LA.

And keep in mind that Las Vegas is not in California. If it was it would be high on my list!