Reflection 1: A House Divided—The NorCal vs. SoCal Debate

While it may not be obvious to non-natives, many Californians grow up feeling as though we are two families living under one roof. Specifically, many Californians feel as though our state is made up of two distinct cultures: Northern California (“Norcal”), centered around the Bay Area, and Southern California (“SoCal”), centered around Los Angeles. Some even contend that crossing the line between north and south—generally thought to be Hwy. 58 from San Luis Obispo to Bakersfield—is like crossing from one country to another. Admittedly, this is a vast generalization about a very diverse place, yet Northern California's cooler climates, liberal cities, and geek chic style stand in contrast to Southern California's warm beaches, conservative suburbs, and glamorous trend-setters. But are these differences only superficial or do they represent real fractures between the two regions? Have you noticed a tangible difference between Northern and Southern California? If so, what were they? And finally, what of California's other distinct regions, such as the Central Valley (including Sacramento, Stanislaus, and Fresno counties), the Central Coast (including Monterey, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara counties), or the northernmost part of the state, sometimes called "Upstate California," (including Humboldt, El Dorado, and Trinity counties)? Where do these places fit in the north/south divide? 

Requirements:

• MLA Style
• ≈ 375 words (2 pages) 

Submission Window: Thu 2.10-Tue 9.14 (via Canvas)