California car culture... (San Diego, Escondido: rent, home, live)

[pi314]

Since moving to San Diego from Ann Arbor, MI 8 months or so ago, I've heard a lot of people reference the "California car culture" - mostly in conjunction with how lousy public transit is and why you need a car in SD/LA/SoCal in general.

While I do get that public transit in most urban areas of California isn't up to the standards of the East Coast - and most everybody uses a car to get around - I don't see how this makes a distinct "California car culture" different from what you would find in, say, the major metro areas of the Southeast or Midwest (Chicago possibly excepted). Most people use cars in places like Atlanta, Houston, Miami, Minneapolis, Detroit, Indianapolis and the like as well - really most of the US save for a few scattered cities. What makes California distinct in this regard?

[mayorhaggar]

It's the same thing really. I think it's that Southern Californians realize that spending half their lives stuck in traffic sucks and know it would be great to have an alternative. Also people compare SoCal to NorCal where there's more of a possibility of riding a bus or train to work, but even in NorCal life revolves around the car for the vast majority of people.

[capoeira]

Originally Posted by pi314

What makes California distinct in this regard?

Attend an event and find out!

SoCalCarCulture - Car Show and Events Calendar

Cruisin' Grand Cruisin' Grand Escondido Home

Car Show Calendar for California - one of the largest California Car Show Event Swap Meet and Cruise Calendars on the web - CaliforniaCarShows.org

[PDF]

I think it's just the culture out here. People assume you're poor if you are car-free out here, but public transit is starting to make headway. It's different on the East coast, even in the car-dominated cities you mentioned in your OP.

Also, there is so much nature and places to see in CA that not having a car does limit your access. Just a car culture out here.

[bigdumbgod]

When family used to come out here from the midwest, the first thing they noticed was the prevalence of neato exotic cars, the likes of which they never see back home (well, duh, Ferraris don't do well in the snow). Besides being the critical means of getting around, also the #1 status symbol to show off to others. Whether one can really afford it or not. The "car culture" was foisted on L.A. in particular by auto manufacturers lobbying to have public transportation dumped in favor of reliance on automobiles and freeways.

[DewDropInn]

Originally Posted by capoeira

Attend an event and find out!

Or rent a convertible and take PCH north on any given 75 degree day in February.

[nightlysparrow]

Originally Posted by bigdumbgod

When family used to come out here from the midwest, the first thing they noticed was the prevalence of neato exotic cars, the likes of which they never see back home (well, duh, Ferraris don't do well in the snow).

Yep, not to mention the standard issue cars that are 50 years old and don't have a speck of rust on 'em.

[ccm123]

The car culture is more prevalent in SoCal. The mentality in SoCal seems to be: "who you are is what car you drive".

In the Bay Area, most people drive a nice German car, or a hybrid (Prius, etc) which are the accepted cars.

[sonarrat]

Originally Posted by ccm123

The car culture is more prevalent in SoCal. The mentality in SoCal seems to be: "who you are is what car you drive".

In the Bay Area, most people drive a nice German car, or a hybrid (Prius, etc) which are the accepted cars.

I've started seeing Teslas on a daily basis, and I am not exaggerating. Sometimes I see 2-3 in a single trip. They are for sure the new status symbol, and everyone notices them.

[jm1982]

Interesting you point that out I've been noticing them recently..like the past month or so?...perhaps the Tesla is the new Prius for the rich?

Personally I think the TESLA looks MUCH nicer....of course it's quite a bit more $$

but im surprised it looks like they start around $59k