Every part of the United States wants to claim that it is the best. It has the best food, the best parks and the best place to raise kids. Well, I would have to say I disagree. Now, don’t get me wrong, because a lot of these places in the United States are awesome. Seattle is home to our favorite doctors (R.I.P. to everyone Shonda Rimes has killed off) and Chicago has one of the most legendary baseball teams. However, the Bay Area takes the winning spot. Not only is the Bay Area beautiful, delicious and timeless, it is also a great place to grow up. I am proud to say that I am proud to be Bay Area grown, and it will always be considered home in my heart. The Bay Area is an awesome place to grow up and here are some reasons why:
- We are surrounded by amazing surroundings, from the Redwoods in Muir Woods to the swell of the tide down by the Golden Gate to the gorgeous sunsets that rise above the valleys. California, as a whole, is a beautiful state, but the Bay Area is definitely the crown jewel. So much of our beauty is untouched and allowed to be on display without disruption.
2. Growing up in the Bay Area, we have been taught to be tolerant and respectful for every person, no matter the situation. The Bay Area, in particular San Francisco and Oakland, have been at the front lines for civil liberties for the past seventy years, with student protests at UC Berkeley to celebrating marriage equality with the passing of the Marriage Equality Act.
3. Fresh food was always in abundance, and usually for a relatively cheap price. The Bay Area is a melting pot for cultures and their cuisines, which allowed me to grow up and explore different parts of the world without ever leaving my backyard. Fresh produce is grown locally, which allows for everyone to have access to the best produce in the nation.
4. Not only did we grow up around fresh produce, we were #blessed to have one of the most iconic West Coast food chains in every town in the Bay Area. You know what I’m talking about. In-n-Out. In-n-Out is one of the most delicious and freshest fast food restaurants in the nation. The burgers are cheap, the fries are fresh and the shakes are creamy. The secret menu is a gift from the fast food gods and we praise them every time our order of Animal Fries is called at the pick up window.
5. While cities like Seattle have claim to Macklemore and Nirvana, the Bay Area has produced some of the most famous musical talents the world has ever seen. With the start of the hippie movement in the 1960’s, the Grateful Dead took the free love movement by storm and became one of the most recognized bands in the nation. Along with the Grateful Dead, the legendary band Journey also formed in San Francisco. If we want to switch genres, the Bay Area rap and hip hop scene has been strong since it’s conception. Mac Dre, E-40, and Andre Nickatina all got their start in the Bay Area, and their music has shaped the music world.
6. One of the best parts about the Bay Area is by far the sports teams. We have some of the most faithful fans (Shout out to those loyal Raiders fans) and some of the most established sports teams. We have the Sharks, for all those hockey fans. The Warriors, with powerhouse Steph Curry, have dominated the NBA recently and broken numerous records. The San Francisco 49’ers and the Oakland Raiders have always managed to keep Sundays interesting. The Oakland A’s have been around for an extremely long time and have some of the most loyal fans. Lastly, we have the dynasty. The San Francisco Giants have won three World Series in the past five seasons and are one of the most loved baseball teams in the nation.
7. The Bay Area is a central location and the perfect spot to have access to all types of environments and settings. We are a short drive from the beautiful Napa Valley and also a short drive to some of the most coveted beaches on the West Coast. The snowy mountains of the Sierras are a three hour drive away and Disneyland is a decent six hour drive. Even though the Bay Area is close to all types of places, it is so hard to leave when perfection is your backyard.
8. The views that the Bay Area has cannot be reckoned with. The orange hue of the legendary Golden Gate Bridge and the iconic Bay Bridge frame the beauty of our home. The amazing sunsets and sunrises are stunning and can take your breath away. The hills and turns of San Francisco give the city so much character, and the street artwork of Oakland allows people to embrace the culture around them.
After moving away to attend college, I have never missed my home so much. I miss the bay breeze blowing through the air and the lights of the suburbs glowing at night. The Bay Area will always be my home, no matter where I end up. So do yourself a favor. If you are from the Bay, embrace your home and don’t take it for granted. If you aren’t from the Bay Area, come visit and we will welcome you like an old friend finally coming home.
