Here are 8 quirky and unusual things no one tells you about living in California:
- The traffic will drive you mad — and over time you just get used to spending hours stuck on freeways, learning secret back roads to avoid gridlock.
- You can order avocado toast or kale salad anywhere, but don’t expect much traditional comfort food—California is all about healthy, trendy eats.
- Earthquakes happen so often and sometimes so mildly, locals barely bat an eye and you quickly learn the drill for “the big one”.
- The weather is almost always perfect, but when it rains, the entire state kind of shuts down because driving turns chaotic and people are unprepared.
- Wildlife like coyotes roam freely even in urban areas, sometimes showing up in backyards or city parks, which can be startling for newcomers.
- Everyone owns a Tesla or electric vehicle, making car charging stations a surprisingly common and essential part of life.
- Odd tourist attractions abound everywhere, from glass beaches to giant roadside sculptures and historic ghost towns preserved as quirky museums.
- The diversity of culture is insane—with dozens of languages spoken and endless festivals and foods from every corner of the world, it’s truly a melting pot unlike anywhere else.
These unexpected quirky details add flavor to everyday life in California beyond the usual sun and surf clichés.
SOURCES
[1](https://wheninyourstate.com/california/8-quirky-and-unusual-things-no-one-tells-you-about-living-in-california/)
[2](https://www.hotels.com/go/usa/fun-facts-california)
[3](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2O40hQIivY&vl=en)
[4](https://www.timeout.com/los-angeles/things-to-do/weird-things-about-living-in-la)
[5](https://californiathroughmylens.com/strange-fun-attractions-list/)
