I'm a native San Diegan. But I'm secretly a little jealous of anybody who gets to move here.

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As a lifelong Californian - save for a few years of living in New Mexico - I've secretly always been jealous of anyone who gets to move here.

I've certainly been caught up in the many songs and movies that romanticize the idea of moving west and the California dream - packing up your car with every last belonging and just driving toward the Pacific coast.

My mom did that decades ago, by way of Florida. And one of my friends, originally from New Jersey but with a love of surfing, moved here after pining after California for years.

Whatever their expectations before arriving, reality is always different, and no place is perfect. I'm sure the idea of moving west isn't as glamorous as pop culture would have me believe.

But to see California for the first time - to come upon its classic coastlines and sweeping mountain ranges with some of the country’s tallest peaks, along with its wildlife and people - it just seems like such an experience.

Are you new to California or to San Diego? I'd love to hear your thoughts on what it's been like.

My resurgence of California pride is partly stemming from my walk for this week's column - a short loop around Fiesta Island.

The route itself is simple, mostly an ideal place to see cute dogs splash around in Mission Bay. But it got me thinking how lucky I am to drive just half an hour from where I live in the mountains to reach the coast - and how California, and more specifically San Diego, allows that.

That's all from me, and I'll see you next week.

-Maura

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This story was originally published June 12, 2026 at 11:18 AM.