june-2010

California Cool
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA’S BEACHES, HOLLYWOOD’S
GLAMOUR AND SAN FRANCISCO’S QUIRKY CHARM
are part of a long-term fascination with the Golden State. Starting
during the mid-19th century gold rush, people have been
flocking here in search of a better life. And you know what?
All those people just might be on to something. The weather is
beautiful, the terrain is diverse and the cities are hives of culture.
Beyond it’s surface charms, California is leading the charge
in eco-friendliness. It’s per capita energy use is the lowest of any
CALIFORNIA SHOWCASE
state, and it’s on the cutting edge of alternative energy research.
It’s also a major player in movements such as eating locally
sourced food—which also goes a long way toward making California
home to some of the best restaurants in the United States.
The Golden State is also an outdoorsman or woman’s paradise.
It has mountains for skiing or hiking, deserts for trekking
and miles after miles of beaches for swimming or just enjoying
the sand and sun. Movie buffs will enjoy a different type of
outdoor activity: celeb-spotting. All the big names in film make
their homes in sunny California, and while it’s mostly because
all of the big studios are in Hollywood, we also think it’s because
they just love it so much. Who wouldn’t?