California

California is big, complicated, and always in motion. From the beaches of San Diego to the vineyards of Napa and the redwoods up north, locals talk about their part of the state like it’s its own country. Everyone has a take on traffic, rent, and which taco truck is the best, but most wouldn’t trade the mix of weather, culture, and opportunity.

People brag about the tech scene in the Bay Area, Hollywood’s global reach, and the natural beauty that ranges from deserts to mountains to coastline. They complain about housing prices, wildfires, and commutes that eat up half the day. Outsiders think California is only movie stars and surfers, but they miss the agriculture that feeds the nation, the shipping ports, and the immigrant communities that power the economy. The businesses below reflect the full scope of what California really is.