"Welcome to California, It's a State of Mind" Sandi-2004's Profile

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A Little About My Journey to California

I was born in Ohio, in the US, a beautiful midwestern state, that has all four seasons. But by the time I was 16, I knew that I wanted to live somewhere that was sunny and warm all year long. No more snow and gray days for me. Eventually, after college, I was able to move to Florida, living in Orlando for a couple years, then to Sarasota on the Gulf Coast. While there, my (then) husband & I explored every part of Florida as well as New Orleans, Atlanta, Charleston and Savannah, plus Austin, TX., where my sister lives. I enjoyed Florida, but after a dozen or so years, two friends invited me on a vacation to California. We began in L.A. & came up the coast, stopping in every beautiful village & town along the way - Solvang, Carmel, Monterey, arriving in San Francisco for our final glorious California days. By then I knew that I was a Californian at heart.

A few years later, after a reasonably amicable but sad divorce, I got the courage to move to the San Francisco area, even though I didn't know anyone here at the time. I've loved it here ever since. I live just far enough outside the city so that it's SUNNIER & WARMER-- beyond the reach of the fog.

In October a friend & I completed a trip to the Yucatan Peninsula, MX. I hadn't been to Mexico before. We had a great time in Merida, Chichen Itza & Cancun. I now have some of my photos & tips on VT and will be adding more. I hope you will take a look at my pages on Merida and the Yucatan Peninsula - a fascinating part of the world.

Cable Cars & the California State of Mind

Climbing to the top

These little cable cars that climb San Francisco's steep hills filled to the max with people from nations all around the world can be considered a representation of what I mean by California being a state of mind. In a way, the cable car represents determination to reach a difficult goal, it represents creativity in that it's an unusual means of transportation for a city in the U.S. and the people on board represent diversity, the willingness to try something different, and acceptance of one another as they take the ride together.

Adventure, Exploration, Imagination, Invention

Film making & PC chip Invention

Almost everyone in California is from somewhere else. To get here they had to make the decision to leave the known for the unknown. They do have to be adventurous, open minded, eager for something new . Those characteristics created two places that have affected the whole world - HOLLYWOOD & it's creative art of storytelling through filmmaking, and SILICON VALLEY, where the computer chip was first developed just south of San Francisco & where the technology industry continues to grow.

Creative Ideas Come to LIfe

Vineyards ready for harvest

Also, California is the home of some of the best WINE producers in the U.S. just north of San Francisco in Napa and Sonoma Counties.

And, in Monterey, a couple hours south, is one of the largest AQUARIUMS in the world, celebrating the creatures of the sea.

Californians also thought up & made popular such sports as SURFING, WINDSAILING & MOUNTAIN BIKING & there is plenty of water, wind, & parkland for doing all three.

Entrepreneurism/Diversity/ Acceptance/ Opportunity

Come for a visit

CALIFORNIA is a state where new ideas are created & developed. It's progressive in it's quest to bring to reality dreams that now are only imagined. It's a place that encourages people to express who they are and live peacefully. Known as the Golden State, GOLD was discovered in Coloma, between SF & Sacramento,in 1848, & much of the city of San Francisco was built soon after as the rush for gold began in 1849. Levi Strauss created the first pair of JEANS for the gold miners, & now Levi's are worn all over the world. California is full of inventors & entrepreneurs. It's about the joy of exploring, creating, being accepted for who you are & celebrating life to the fullest.

It's a great place to live and to visit. I hope that you get a chance to come here and enjoy all that is beautiful about California and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Intro Updated Jul 12, 2005
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Comments (105)

imranthetrekker Sep 9, 2011 at 3:00 AM Report Abuse

Happy Birthday Sandi..
Greetings from Pakistan..
Agraichen Jan 12, 2009 at 7:09 PM Report Abuse

Great shot from the bridge. I'll have to get to "the west bay" to play tourist for a few days.
meiyergani Sep 9, 2008 at 5:13 PM Report Abuse

If You are going to San Faransisco....... Happy Birthday Sandi, how about Gustav. Greeting from Bogor Indonesia
Herkbert Sep 9, 2008 at 3:20 PM Report Abuse

Happy birthday Sandi! Hope it's a good one for you. Happy travels..
Basaic Sep 9, 2008 at 3:03 PM Report Abuse

Happy birthday. Hope you have a long life full of great travels.
rcsparty Sep 9, 2008 at 8:03 AM Report Abuse

Me and my wife will be visiting your city in Nov....Happy birthday
a2lopes Sep 9, 2008 at 2:26 AM Report Abuse

Happy birthday Sandi and many happy returns of the day. Greetings from Lisbon which is waiting for your visit next year for the Eurometing (very similar to SF indeed)
ian-uk Sep 8, 2008 at 11:29 PM Report Abuse

Happy Birthday Sandi, have a great day and take care, Ian
AussieSue Feb 24, 2007 at 3:44 PM Report Abuse

Hi Sandi, thanks for your photos etc trying to get some tips from locals as to what to cram into a couple of days in San Francisco before we start a quided tour ... it all looks just so beautiful... what shouldn't we miss??? Regards
roamingpaddy Sep 9, 2006 at 1:56 PM Report Abuse

Sandi, You have a very happy birthday now ok!...thats and order!! :-) from Ireland