Population

Florida is the fourth most populated state in the country, and has the second highest number of residents from other states. Most of these people are retirees who choose to spend their autumn years in a more relaxing environment, where the lifestyle focuses more on retirement and senior issues. There are, of course, also many native residents; long time Floridian families are sometimes jokingly called “Florida crackers.”

Climate

Florida is famous for warm weather. In fact, many residents, nicknamed snowbirds, only stay for the winter months by keeping a winter home or driving an RV. In general, you can expect a lot of sun in Florida, though thunderstorms are fairly common in the summer. For better or for worse, you should not expect snow, which is very rare. And of course, there is the added danger of hurricanes. They most commonly hit the state in August and September, but experienced Floridians will begin preparing as soon as hurricane season starts.

Peninsula and Panhandle

Florida is divided into the Peninsula and the Panhandle. The Peninsula is more urban, holding most of the tourist sites, industry and agribusiness, and is politically liberal. The Panhandle tends to be more like a typical Southern state: more rural and more politically conservative, with less big business. Most of Florida’s major cities are near the coastlines, and even if you live inland you are always within a few hours of the beaches, which makes up a large part of the state’s appeal.

Tourism and senior citizens drive the economy, though other major factors include fishing, industry, agriculture and the state’s high military concentration. The unemployment rate is currently at 11.5%. There is no state income tax.

Culture

The culture of Florida can be hard to define, giving its large number of non-native residents. Given that summer temperatures can last most of the year, beaches, barbecues, etc. are large facets of Florida society. Spanish and Hispanic culture has influenced the state, both because of its history as a Spanish colony and because of its large Hispanic population (largely Cuban and Puerto Rican, but increasingly Mexican as well). Approximately a quarter of residents can speak a language other than English, primarily Spanish. Southern culture is also a major factor, especially in the Panhandle, where drawling accents are not uncommon.

Religion

Northern and Central Florida are considered part of the Bible Belt, but South Florida tends to be less religiously observant. Slightly less than half of the state’s residents are Protestant, with about a quarter others being Catholic. Florida has the highest Jewish population of any Southern state, primarily in the Peninsula.

Overall, it is hard to give a single perception of life in the Sunshine State; it is a state of contrasts, of different cultures mingling together, its own second melting pot within the United States. It is, however, a state that is not quite like any other, and one quite popular with people from all over.

Napa Valley

Just north of San Francisco’s Bay Area, the Napa Valley is the primary wine-growing region in the nation. Touring California’s premier wine country is one of the most popular activities for visitors to the Golden State. The area is also known for its fine dining experiences. The gently rolling hills and temperate climate of the Napa Valley lends itself to a leisurely vacation spent sampling wines, enjoying gourmet meals and indulging in spa treatments.

A relaxing vacation in the Napa Valley is not complete without a visit to the hot springs in Calistoga. Located in the northern mouth of the valley, Calistoga was founded by the state’s first millionaire, Sam Brannan, in the 1860s. A mud bath in Calistoga offers a uniquely relaxing experience.

Carmel

For upscale relaxing vacation with heaps of charm, nothing quite matches Carmel-By-The-Sea. Located south of San Francisco, Carmel is a small, picturesque town, perched on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The town is filled with charming inns, restaurants, shops and art galleries, and the neighboring beach is gathering place for vacationers to watch golden California sunsets.

Carmel is also home to one of the most beautiful of California’s 21 missions. The mission was founded by Father Junipero Serra, who explored the West in the 1700s, establishing missions up and down the state. A visit to Carmel often includes a visit to the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, located just a few miles from Carmel. Monterey was the setting for several novels by John Steinbeck.

Santa Barbara

Situated less than 100 miles north of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara is a favorite destination for relaxing weekend getaways. Santa Barbara get its nickname “Riviera of the West” both from its mild temperatures and its characteristic architecture. The city passed an ordinance after a destructive 1925 earthquake that all structures feature adobe facades and red tile roofs, to keep the original ambience of the California missions. The citizens of Santa Barbara put a high value on culture, with more dining, shopping and entertainment opportunities than is usually found in a small city. Santa Barbara features beaches with wide stretches of white sand.

Huntington Beach

For a quintessential Southern California beach vacation, Huntington Beach offers an authentic experience. Known the world over as “Surf City,” Huntington Beach is the great place to relax and the Huntington Beach Pier makes watching surfers easy. Beach homes bump right up against the sandy beaches, with a paved path as the only border between them, and strolling along the path is a fun and relaxing way to observe the beach culture. It’s possible to rent some of these small beach homes, for a truly relaxing vacation, where you can turn a pair of FASHION FOR HOME settees towards the sea, relax and watch the world go by. And so your visit in california will be truly a full relaxation.

The Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California

This striking difference in environment in such a short span parallels the weather and lifestyles of the state. Further south, the weather is warm and mild, with very consistent temperatures. However, closer to the shores near Los Angeles and San Diego, pollution and traffic clog the air and ground. The northern part of the state offers warm-to-hot summers and mild winters, with the higher elevations see snow. The population is also less dense.

Influences

Larger and southern cities bring about melting pots. Heavy with immigrants from Mexico and other countries south of the U.S., there are strong echoes of Latin influence in foods and culture. This mixes with the tastes and styles of immigrants from other countries.

This experience gives much of the southern part of the state diverse political ideology, with much of it influenced from European and Latin-American background. Of course, this fuel is perfect for politically driven individuals who want a part in local government.

For the most part, the state supports various lifestyles and rights, including those of LGBT. The state passed legislation granting marriage licenses to same-sex couples in June 2008, but saw it banned barely four months later. Despite the ruling, many in the state are supportive of LGBT rights.

Economy and Business

The economy has struggled in recent years, like much of the U.S. Unemployment rates and benefits, medical care, and energy costs have all seen dramatic spikes. Meanwhile, educational funding has seen decreases. A recent push for legalizing marijuana has been considered as means for raising additional funding.

Californias economy is different from that of most states. It operates on a budget of nearly $2 trillion, which traditionally, thrives on international trade and commerce. This then feeds into its transportation sector. People wanting jobs in shipping and delivering goods find decent positions in the state. Business, entertainment, and leisure attract more money and jobs. Additionally, California has a large agricultural business that has seen woes and decline in the past decade.

Although not as popular based on economic production, California is receptive of artistic types, including actors and actresses, painters, musicians, filmmakers, graphic designers, video editors, and writers. It hosts many festivals geared around the expressive forms of communication and has brought fame, popularity, wealth, and success to many.

On top of that, the technological section of California is framed mainly by the legacy of Silicon Valley. It houses many technical corporations and businesses that have stamped their names within the industry’s elite. It also provides some of the higher-paying jobs, although stability isn’t always guaranteed.

Conclusion

Still, no matter what a person is looking for, California probably offers it. From bustling cities, to quiet escapes in the deeps of pristine beauty, there is weather, food, careers, and interests for any lifestyle.