Spoon University Logo
boba4
boba4
Reviews

NorCal Vs. SoCal: What Each Part of California Does Better

This article is written by a student writer from the Spoon University at UCD chapter.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, I lived in southern California until moving to northern California for college. There is a reason some people say the two areas are like different states, but I didn’t know why until I tried both for myself.

NorCal is full of…

Boba

Boba tea coffee
Emma Davis

I tried authentic boba for the first time in NorCal, and instead of grabbing smoothies with friends like I did in LA, now my friends and I meet for boba! There are so many flavors!

Seasons

Start Drinking Coffee coffee cappuccino
Allie Hicks

I love pulling out my boots and scarves for fall! Sweater weather is real here, and it makes for cozy, cute outfits with warm lattes in my hand daily.

Environmental Consciousness

prosperity market broccoli carrot
Sam Jesner

Since I moved to NorCal, I have been able to rock my Patagucci, hike in hella stunning forests, bike everywhere, view the greenest trees and learn the greatness of public transportation. Living in Davis, I’m around cows and farms, and I totally dig the agriculture vibes.

And SoCal has…

Mexican Food and allllllllll the avocado

Avocado guacamole vegetable
Jocelyn Hsu

I can’t even taco-bout how delicious the Mexican food in SoCal is. The avocado is so fresh, and Taco Tuesday is a weekly event. *cue the avocado and taco emojis*

Beaches

California
Kendal Koorenny

I definitely miss riding along Pacific Coast Highway, spending days at the beach in Malibu and enjoying acai bowls as the best post-beach snack! Surfer babes and shaka bros soak up the year-round sunshine.

Amusement Parks

California
Hannah Francis

Disneyland and Magic Mountain and Universal Studios and Harry Potter World and Knott’s Berry Farm, oh my! There is always a fun park to visit with friends and snag the perfect Insta picture. Amusement parks are even beginning to offer a greater variety of food options now, like Disneyland’s new vegan jackfruit burger.

I think both NorCal and SoCal are amazing, and California has definitely stolen my heart. Neither is better; they’re just different. But I like it that way!

I love exploring new cities, trying new foods, and learning new things! Avocados are my favorite fruit, and I drink matcha like it's my job. I'm a SoCal girl studying Viticulture and Enology (grape growing & wine making) in NorCal and loving every minute. You'll either catch me wearing Birkenstocks or high heels, and they'll almost always be pink!