What Californians love about the Golden State

Here are some, lightly edited:

“Here in Humboldt County, I am fortunate to be surrounded by redwoods, with beaches less than five minutes away. On a bike ride to work I can capture the morning sunrise over the ocean, view the river as I cross a bridge above, followed by a winding road through cow pastures. I have all this natural beauty, yet live just a 12-minute drive from a college town where I am fortunate to work with students who give me hope for our future.” — Jennie Brown, Trinidad

“As a resident of Los Angeles, I remember my then-boyfriend riding me on the back of his motorcycle one winter in the 1980s. We traveled to Mount Baldy to see the snow, and then we drove all the way to Santa Monica Beach to watch the sunset – all in one day. How many people can say that?” — Pamela Fender, Rohnert Park

“My husband and I ended up in Sacramento by accident and actually avoided the city for years thanks to its reputation as a cow town. Nine years after my visit, my family and I live just a few blocks from my favorite mansion on H Street, under a thick urban canopy. Our daughters' double stroller fits comfortably on the wide sidewalks, and we have a choice of walkable parks and restaurants, plus an easy bike ride to the Sacramento Kings arena.” — Tyler Whitmire, Sacramento

“In 1973, I was a teacher living in Indiana when my brother and his family moved to San Diego. They invited the rest of us for Christmas. My Aunt Susie, from Detroit, and I were lying in the sand next to Crystal Pier in Pacific Beach, and she turned and said, “If we lived here, we could do this every day after school.” I swear, until that moment, I had never even considered moving from the Midwest. So I worked an extra year in Gary, Indiana, and saved $10,000 so I wouldn't have to teach for a few years. I moved to Leucadia in 1976 and never looked back.” — Julie Middleton, Sebastopol

“After growing up in Los Angeles, I now live among towering redwoods in a small town in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Although the weather often closes both roads and power, I actually feel part of a close-knit, supportive community. I have an orchard and a garden. The local wildlife occasionally lets me eat the produce I grow. The tap water tastes delicious. The air smells fresh. I can hear the creek from my porch. And it is clean, quiet and green. It's as close to paradise as I can ever hope to get.” — Chris Finnie, Boulder Creek