The Bay Area and San Diego embody many aspects that make each of them their own paradise. San Diego is one of the most beautiful cities in America. With its beautiful beaches, hot babes, amazing weather, and bustling life style, it is not a surprise that many people choose San Diego as their destination for paradise. In contrast, the bay area offers just as many qualities to be deemed a cultural wonderland. Consisting of many sub cultures and notable spots including San Francisco and Berkeley, it is obvious that the Bay Area attracts many people from different backgrounds. Coming from the Bay Area and spending my academic career in San Diego, I have experienced and still am experiencing the different aspects of both places. Here are my experiences with the different aspects of fashion and lifestyle from both places and my breakdown on the differences of the two worlds.
Coming into San Diego, the first thing I noticed was the weather. It is always hot in San Diego, 24/7, day and night, weekdays and weekends. It is an eternal summer in sunny San Diego. As a Bay Area native, the hot weather is something that takes time to get used to. My whole wardrobe was dedicated to cold and rainy days and mild summer days peaking at 70 degrees in the Bay Area. I was and still am transitioning to the weather in San Diego. I have to say goodbye to all my nice jackets, hoodies, flannels, and skinny jeans and start welcoming pocket tees, bro tanks, and shorts. After obtaining a fair amount of board shorts and Hawaiian shirts, I have made my stamp in San Diego and started to blend in with its culture. It's been tough but I'm slowly building up my wardrobe for San Diego and despite wearing the same pair of khaki shorts every single day, I am starting to accept and embrace the different fashion stigma in San Diego.
In comparison, the Bay Area embodies a more diverse culture of fashion. Flannels are a common sight, boots are a hit, and you are admired for rocking a nice jean jacket instead of being judged. The abstract sense of fashion that is prevalent within the Bay also welcomes many outfits that match the San Diego and Southern California look. In addition to vintage sweaters and bomber jackets, you can find some people wearing board shorts and a nice pocket tee paired with high socks and Vans. Having built a personalized a wardrobe that caters towards the eclectic culture of the Bay Area, it is refreshing to be able to rock a completely different outfit every single day while feeling comfortable with the weather and immersed in the culture.
It is interesting experiencing the different fashion cultures and seeing the differences in lifestyle and culture reflected by the contrasting outfits. San Diego fashion illustrates the chill vibes of its beaches, the party scene of San Diego State University, and the rambunctious youth that dominates La Jolla. While in contrast, the fashion in The Bay Area, represents the immense diversity of its cities, the urban life style of San Francisco, and the rich cultures of Berkeley and Oakland. I am lucky enough to experience both lifestyles and express my immersion through the clothes I wear.
San Diego is definitely a place to consider a paradise as it fosters the California lifestyle of a balance between laid-back and young. In the sunny paradise of California, you have the rich people of Del Mar living their lavish lives in their mansions and you have the carefree kids of La Jolla that prioritize having a good time over anything. The two subcultures in San Diego really sets the foundation for chill vibes and good times. I found myself not having to worry as much in San Diego because there isn't much to worry about when you have beautiful beaches at a short drive's away and breathtaking sunsets to accompany them. My weekends are filled with good times on the beach with good company, new friendships at parties, and good vibes from walking in the sun. Although a huge change, my transition to San Diego has been a pleasant one and the change in pace of my life was a much needed break from the rampant lifestyle of The Bay Area.
Despite the lack of beauty in its beaches and the bustling lifestyle that makes up The Bay Area, the melting pot of California offers an eclectic culture and urban scenery that is contemporary enough to be considered a paradise of its own. There is a little bit of everything in The Bay Area, I mean look at San Francisco, a spot for cultural diversity, professional opportunities, and artistic richness, Oakland a playground for political activists and up and coming artists, and Alameda, a suburban wonderland. I spent my time walking on Haight and Ashbury where hippies and hobos interact with each other and tattoo parlors and grocery stores share an unusual business relationship. I usually explore the corners of The Bay Area, finding spots in San Francisco, venturing off to the Marin Headlands, attending the vibrant farmers' markets in Jack London Square, and witnessing protests in Oakland. There is so much to do in The Bay Area that there is no linear or set lifestyle. Growing up in the suburbs of Alameda, and making frequent trips to San Francisco, Beverley, and Oakland, I found myself opening up my mind to different aspects of life as I immerse myself to the different cultures The Bay Area offers.
I think the importance of living in two different places with completely different lifestyles is that it builds character. You gain different perspectives through experiences in different environments. Those experiences help improve your ability to adapt and to consume different cultures and help facilitate any transitions that occur in life. Whether it is living an eternal summer in San Diego or exploring the urban life of The Bay Area, both places offer different aspects of culture and lifestyle and I found myself being more open and aware through the experiences of both places.
