Everyone knows California as The Golden State: home to Hollywood, the hustle and bustle of the world's largest cities and some of the most breathtaking natural beauties. Although everyone can cite characteristics of California as a whole, only those that have spent time living in Sacramento know the what makes this city so distinct. Here are some of the surefire signs you've spent some of your life in the city of trees.
1. You've complained about living in Sacramento.
Maybe you yourself haven't complained, but you've had your friends vent to you about how excited they are to move out of this landlocked, boring city with people that are so cynical it's beginning to wear on you.
2. Until you remember how close other awesome cities are.
When San Francisco, Yosemite, Santa Cruz, Lake Tahoe and many other beautiful destinations are a feasible car ride away, only the lazy can say there's nothing fun to do around here.
3. When it rains here, our celebration is the rain scene in the movie "Holes."
And you know what it's like to cut back on water use during the 364 days that is doesn't rain. Water moratorium? No thank you Gov. Brown.
4. The best, and really the only, modifier to use for emphasis is "hella."
Chances are, if you're from Sacramento and go to a different state where someone says "that's hella dope," you're going to question them as a person until you find out if they're qualified to say that. And by qualified, I mean from NorCal. It is a rite of passage after all.
5. You have a love-hate relationship with the Sacramento Kings.
Let's be real, at the moment the hate evidently outweighs the love. But if you're truly a Sacramento native, you hold on to the glory days when we had Mike Bibby, Peja Stojakovic, Doug Christie, Chris Webber and Vlade Divac, and are awaiting the new era. Although, how much longer can we say we're in a rebuilding phase before we realize our team's construction is inert?
6. You went on the coolest fieldtrips as a kid.
And so many that you probably can't remember them all. There's Sutter's Fort, the Sacramento Zoo, Sunsplash, Crocker's Art Musuem and of course, one of America's most grandiose state capitols.
7. We may not have an MLB team, but the River Cats games are even better.
Sacramento is known for having not just one of the best minor league stadiums, but a team that is ranked amongst the best in the AAA league. Who wouldn't love to experience a comparable experience of a major league game at a fraction of the cost? Not to mention, the food is as fresh as it gets. Everything from the bacon-wrapped hot dogs down to the potato chips are made from scratch for each and every game.
8. You know what Dovewood Court is and when you'll be there.
Probably the only place on earth that has better Christmas lights than Dovewood Court is Disney World. Legend has it that more power is used in the month of December for those 15 houses than two years of regular power users use their lights. Makes you wonder what kind of contract you have to sign if you want to move into this neighborhood...
9. Our food options are glorious and galore.
Seriously. The fact that we can get urban fries, a double double, an Adalberto's breakfast burrito, a doughnut ice cream sandwich and some incredible sushi all within 10-square-miles is wonderful, albeit a gluttonous, power to wield.
10. Hikes/adventures are never in short demand.
With Sacramento being home to both the American and Sacramento Rivers, and geography of any and every terrain, there is always plenty to do outdoors. Whether it's chilling at the bluffs, kayaking at Lake Natoma or hiking hidden falls, there's always something outdoorsy to brave.
11. Whenever you see this, you know you're home.
