Even being a CA native, I can sort of understand the shock. I've never lived south of Marin County. So when I was in Pasadena last week I definitely noticed the differences between northern and southern CA. It's all the same state but sometimes it seems worlds apart to me too. Anyway, lest anyone think I don't like the rest of the country, I've also lived in WA and briefly, MI. Each state and area has it's own beauty.....snow or no snow!