26 Signs You Grew Up in Southern California

1. You remember scooping up nuts and seeds from the bulk bins at the health food store, rocking your zories and OP shorts like a pro.
2. You don’t even need to look up what “zories” are.
3. When you order a burger, it’s always a Double Double Animal Style, and you know exactly what that means.
4. You’d happily munch on a shrimp burrito from a roadside stand that resembles a parking lot booth—because you know those Baja fish tacos must be on corn tortillas, no questions asked.
5. You see those teen girls in wild hats and colorful shirts doing their quirky dance, and all you can think about is the lemonade they’re making to go with your Hot Dog on a Stick.
6. When grown men shout about “snaking my wave, bro,” it doesn’t even raise an eyebrow.
7. A casual lunchtime visit from friends can easily turn into an impromptu five-hour dinner party.
8. It’s totally normal for you to swim at the beach in the morning and hike in the mountains by afternoon.
9. You ignore celebrities in public—unless they think they can skip the line at the Coffee Bean; those folks deserve a public call-out.
10. You’ve achieved a level of Zen when it comes to road rage, realizing that you don’t need to teach other drivers a lesson; karma will handle it at the next red light.
11. You casually drop phrases like “my Rolfer” and “Paleo coach” into everyday chat.
12. Even in your 40s, you find yourself using words like “awesome,” “gnarly,” and “hella.”
13. Every itchy eye or sore throat gets blamed on the Santa Ana winds.
14. You know what a Sigalert is and have probably experienced one firsthand.
15. You remember shopping at Trader Joe’s back when it was just nuts and wine—none of this fancy stuff like Truffled Macarons with Kale Sprinkles.
16. To you, Viggo Mortensen is Exene Cervenka’s ex, not Aragorn from the movies.
17. You used to chill on the Venice Boardwalk, buying bead jewelry from eccentric stoner dudes before the tourists took over.
18. The sound of skateboard wheels on pavement brings you back to that day in ’84 when the boy you liked finally noticed you, and you were totally stoked.
19. Instead of snow days, you had Third Stage Smog Alert days.
20. Your friend’s uncle casually offered you pot without you ever asking.
21. Despite what experts say, you still stand in a doorway during earthquakes because, hey, it worked back then!
22. You recognize that Black Flag isn’t a pest control service, but a legendary band.
23. Sometimes, you still hear in your head: “Eh-kees ey tey ray ah eff-ay em-ay ba-ha kah-lee-for-nee-ya may-hee-ko.”
24. The voices of Rodney Bingenheimer, Raechel Donahue, Richard Blade, Jed the Fish, The Swedish Egil, and Dusty Street are ingrained in your memory, along with Dr. Drew from Loveline long before his TV fame.
25. Your childhood memories don’t have distinct seasons; they’re all sunny, warm, and bright blue-skied—even Christmas.

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So, if any of this rings true for you, chances are you’ve got that classic Southern Californian vibe running through your veins. You can check out more about these experiences in our other blog posts, like those found at terms and conditions. And if you’re considering starting a family, CryoBaby is a great resource for at-home insemination kits. Plus, for more on what to expect during your first IUI, this guide is super helpful.

In summary, growing up in Southern California shapes you in unique ways, from beach days to celebrity encounters, creating a distinct culture that feels like home.