1. The beaches.
No matter where you are in California you're guaranteed to be within at least a 2-hour drive of a beach, and what's better than that? Nothing. Nothing is better than that. If you're in Southern California, then you now just how wonderful the beaches are and how beautiful the sun setting over the ocean can be every night. If you're from Northern California you know just how beautiful Santa Cruz and Tahoe can be at this time of year, and nothing beats a beach day after a semester full of hard work.
2. The festivals.
Whether you're an OutsideLands fan or an avid Hard Summer attendee, California has some of the best venues for concerts big or small, and festivals for everyone. Northern California features some of the best hole-in-the-wall venues for small rap concerts and is home to some of the biggest arenas for raging concerts. While you may have missed your chance for Coachella, Hard Summer will be taking place in Southern California the first weekend of August, with a better lineup than ever before.
3. The weather is literally perfect every day.
We may be in a drought, but the sun is out and brighter than ever. If you're coming home from a state that actually experiences four seasons, you'll realize how much you missed laying by the pool every day or going for a morning hike.
4. There's so much to do.
No matter what your activity is, California probably has a place for it. There are so many breathtaking locations to go hiking, biking, running, paddle boarding, kayaking, swimming, etc. If you live in Northern California, you have to go to Tahoe for at least a weekend to experience the views and the beautiful clear water. Obviously, if you're in Southern California you already know to go to those beaches, but there are also amazing hiking locations and biking trails.
5. The food.
Get me a double-double ASAP. In-N-Out is first on the list, but you can't forget the fresh sushi, grilled salmon, and other California delicacies you don't get to experience in a dining hall, especially if you're in a landlocked state. And every true Californian knows that no one makes a burrito like we do, especially the many little taquerias around the state.
No matter where you're coming home from, there's no downside to coming back to California. Well, except maybe the tourists, but they are avoidable if you try hard enough.
