1) year round farmers' markets: we're starting at ours this weekend! there is nothing like strolling through a crowded farmer's market and looking at fresh produce, incredible prepared foods and arts and crafts. the fact that we can do it any weekend of the year is awesome.
2) the weather here rocks: average rainfall is 15". average january temperature is 41.7 (L) - 59.3 (H) and in july is 57.5 (L) - 84.3 (H).
3)
the monterey bay aquarium: i've been to aquariums in australia and the national aquarium in baltimore, among others. the mba is simply the best around. the aquarium is housed in an old fish cannery and houses animals that would be found in the monterey bay area - 'locals.' the outer bay exhibit holds 1.2 million gallons of water and the living kelp forest exhibit was the first of its kind.
4) diversity of landscape: the beach is 20 minutes from my house. we can drive to incredible skiing in under three hours. there are deserts and mountains and foothills and lakes and rivers. there's gold country, farmland, big cities, and small towns.
5) san francisco: san francisco is a world class city. really. if you have ever visited, you know this. if you've never visited, you should. the food, the culture, the people, the museums, the touristy things, the local things...gah everything!
6) the exploratorium:
the museum of science, art and human perception at the palace of fine arts in san francisco. where else can you see a dissection of a cow eyeball, learn about weather in space, explore the 'tactile dome' and build a spectroscope? this is a hands on museum and it is so incredibly huge that you could visit a 100 times and still miss things.
7) food: i love food. the fresh produce available here is unrivaled. the restaurants here are so so so diverse. want a fish taco stand on the corner of two busy streets? falafels? sushi? pad thai? pho? pizza? greasy burgers? fusion? cambodian? steak? italian? new american?
8) my family: my parents live within spitting distance. my mom's parents and brother and sisters are all within easy driving distance. d's family is mostly in california (heather come home). likewise my closest friends are all here (well, emmy is on her waaaay!). i only wish my dad's family hadn't migrated so far north!
9) the hot tub: this is VERY local but the kids and i are there at least twice a week, year round. *ahhh*
care to share why you love where you live? or where i live?
2) the weather here rocks: average rainfall is 15". average january temperature is 41.7 (L) - 59.3 (H) and in july is 57.5 (L) - 84.3 (H).
3)
the monterey bay aquarium: i've been to aquariums in australia and the national aquarium in baltimore, among others. the mba is simply the best around. the aquarium is housed in an old fish cannery and houses animals that would be found in the monterey bay area - 'locals.' the outer bay exhibit holds 1.2 million gallons of water and the living kelp forest exhibit was the first of its kind.4) diversity of landscape: the beach is 20 minutes from my house. we can drive to incredible skiing in under three hours. there are deserts and mountains and foothills and lakes and rivers. there's gold country, farmland, big cities, and small towns.
5) san francisco: san francisco is a world class city. really. if you have ever visited, you know this. if you've never visited, you should. the food, the culture, the people, the museums, the touristy things, the local things...gah everything!
6) the exploratorium:
the museum of science, art and human perception at the palace of fine arts in san francisco. where else can you see a dissection of a cow eyeball, learn about weather in space, explore the 'tactile dome' and build a spectroscope? this is a hands on museum and it is so incredibly huge that you could visit a 100 times and still miss things.7) food: i love food. the fresh produce available here is unrivaled. the restaurants here are so so so diverse. want a fish taco stand on the corner of two busy streets? falafels? sushi? pad thai? pho? pizza? greasy burgers? fusion? cambodian? steak? italian? new american?
8) my family: my parents live within spitting distance. my mom's parents and brother and sisters are all within easy driving distance. d's family is mostly in california (heather come home). likewise my closest friends are all here (well, emmy is on her waaaay!). i only wish my dad's family hadn't migrated so far north!
9) the hot tub: this is VERY local but the kids and i are there at least twice a week, year round. *ahhh*
care to share why you love where you live? or where i live?