<p>I am planning on going to San Diego State University and after touring the campus I fell in love with SD. I'm going to try to get into the surfing/wakeboarding class so I can be at least adequate at both. I go to school in TX but have lived all over the US - everywhere but California that is. However, San Diego especially appealed to me and I was wondering if there is anything I need to know about the people of southern california, the lifestyle, etc. that I may not realize yet.</p>
<p>It's fairly laid back, just chill. people say "hella" and "sweet" a lot. In n Out burger rocks (had one for lunch actually), people wear sunglasses everywhere all hours of the day, mini skirts and uggs rule the world ofskinny girls, and over all california rules. However, NorCal is better.</p>
<p>everything is really laid back ESPECIALLY in San Diego, and we all know that Socal Rules, I mean its sunnier, and has better beaches (with warmer water).</p>
<p>weather is awesome...although its warmer than usual right now. tons of stuff to do. and yeah, In n Out burgers are the best (so are the shakes) but their fries suck. definitely check out mission bay, balboa park, and point loma seafood!</p>
<p>I'm from Southern California, born and raised. "Hella", definitely norcal. No one from socal says that. Socal>>Norcal in my biased opinion. San Diego is a really laid back town with good people, awesome food, and great weather. You said you wanted to learn how to surf so I will give you some advice. Learn the rules BEFORE you paddle out. Nothing ****es off surfers more than a beginner who gets in the way. Surf at the beginner spots and work your way up. I suggest that you start out longboarding at Tourmaline Street. Learn surf ettiquette and you should be fine. Be yourself and don't try to pretend you're a local. Nothing worse than a guy who dresses like a surfer, talks like a surfer and who can't surf (a.k.a. the "kook poseur"--don't be THAT guy.</p>
<p>Is California really like what they show on Laguna Beach on MTV? Is it all like preppy and like everybody (high schoolers/college students) has fun, surf, and always go to parties? I am thinking of maybe going to college there.
Reply Thanks</p>
<p>hahaha! this thread is funny...especially with the 'hella' being a norcal thing.</p>
<p>sciencenerd - i had a friend move here from illinois and based his entire choice of clothing based on what he saw from the OC, which was funny because, not everyone dresses that way. everyone, just like everywhere else, has their own style. not to say that people dont dress like that, but its not the majority. </p>
<p>and secondly, not everyone in CA lives a mile from the beach so not EVERYONE surfs.</p>
<p>Interesting you mention Laguna Beach. If you look at Stephen I don't consider him preppy at all.</p>
<p>Anyway, the big fast food place here in TX is Sonic. It's big in Oklahoma and Texas, and is in LA I think. They're looking to build in San Diego I heard; that would be nice. I've heard of In-N-Out burgers and once I am at SDSU I will definitely have to try it out haha</p>
<p>See so many people believe that if you live in CA its just like OC or Laguna Beach and you surf. With 40 million people living in CA and only so many miles of coastline, most people DONT surf. Those shows represent a very small portion of what CA is really like (THANK GOD) so if you wanna come here for what you see on the OC, dont. If you want a really cool place to live, albeit expensive sometimes, yeah its awesome.</p>
<p>And for god's sake people make sure the "<"s and ">"s are pointed the right way. Everyone in their right mind knows that NorCal>SoCal, i guess you didnt get the memo...</p>
<p>Eh, the preppy, white, conservative, surfer lifestyle is only in the OC and San Diego area. Los Angeles is completely different from the rest of So Cal. It's stressful, materialistic, congested, dangerous. Not that those are bad things.</p>