I live in LA but I've been on vacation in Central and Northern California

[TeamPooka]

for the last week.
Driving, hiking and walking through the place reminds me that we have an incredible, beautiful state and we need to do all we can to preserve it.
From the beaches of Pismo to Napa Valley, it's been a fun and delicious week.
And wine, do we have wine....

[lob1]

1. Mt. Whitney and Death Valley are like a hundred miles apart.

Mt. Whitney is the highest point in the continental U.S., and Death Valley is the lowest spot in the Western hemisphere. Lots of diverse scenery in California.

[raven mad]

2. You stated "continental US" incorrectly -

Denali is the highest point in the CONTINENTAL U.S. The contiguous U.S. is a different story! California is a terrific state, I've been all over it. BUT! THIS is a MOUNTAIN:

[KansDem]

3. I'm envious!

Growing up in southern California, I was privileged to experience the state's diverse and beautiful scenery.

In my late teens and early 20s, I hiked mountain trails. I backpacked into Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, as well as from Tuolumne Meadows into Yosemite Valley. I visited the beaches including the lighthouse and tide pools at Cabrillo. I saw the ghost towns of Bodie and Calico, and in 2004 I finally visited Death Valley. Also visited the Jack London Museum and toured the Christian Brothers winery.

Just a few memories. Damn! Now I'll have to have wine with our Labor Day barbecue!

[BrotherIvan]

4. Whenever someone asks me where I'm from, I answer "California"

I identify much more with being Californian than American. I live in LA too now, sadly, but I have been up and down the state and lived in wine country which should be officially renamed "God's Country" because it really is. I'd love to hear the wineries you visited and some of the restaurants. I haven't really been to Napa much, having a love for Sonoma (and the rivalry), so would love to hear about it.

[SunSeeker]

5. I feel the same way. Love love LOVE my California.

You'd have to be crazy not to love this state. Speaking of which, have you run into any of the "State of Jefferson" separatist nut bags while up in No. Cal.?

[TeamPooka]

10. No I didn't and they are lucky for that. I did see one news item on the local TV for their plan.

[PasadenaTrudy]

6. I'm a native Californian

all 50 yrs of my life. It's getting too hot and crowded for me. I live in the L.A. area and mostly stay indoors with the shades drawn and the a/c on 24/7. I've never been into the SoCal lifestyle. I've got very fair skin so I can't go in the sun. I hope to live in either OR, WA, or northern NM someday. I know it will be a culture shock, but I'd like to be able to enjoy the outdoors and cooler temps, rain and snow. Wish me luck!

[SoapBox]

8. I loves California!

I too live in the LA area and love it...been here for almost 30 years and am never leaving. I grew up in Oregon, leaving in my late 20's...I had Thanksgiving vacations in Tucson and Phoenix, so I knew that there was actually blue skies and sun in November and winter (it wasn't just a fairy tale!)

Never, ever back to the ugly, depressing gray gloom that lasts for months...no more endless rains, wet feet/clothes nor fogged over car windows...plus no more endless colds, tonsillitis, strep throats or allergy.

I'm glad it's for some but never again for me.

The Golden State is golden!

[PasadenaTrudy]

12. I hate the unrelenting sun!

You can have it! I suffer from photosensitivity so I would love to live in the grey.

[AndyTiedye]

15. The Fog Keeps it Cool Here

and the redwoods provide lots of shade when the sun is out. Current temperature 67º

We get a little dusting of snow each winter.

Bay Area's best mountain biking trails just a few minutes ride from here.

I the Santa Cruz mountains.

[Auggie]

7. It's a beautiful state but needs our vigilence to keep it that way

There will always be greedy bad guys wanting to exploit it's riches for their own profit.

[SoapBox]

9. +100

[TeamPooka]

11. Yes it does. I said as much in my OP.

[Auggie]

13. Yes you did ...

apologies for the redundancy

[mackerel]

14. Love my California! Lived in predominantly in Norcal, mostly S.F. Bay Area, right now

I'm in the northern part of the central valley. We've actually had an amazingly mild summer. California is delicious! I agree with the statement: I identify more as a Californian than an American.