One great thing about labeling yourself as a tourist at a place you are familiar with is that you can take advantage of knowing the place. You are well aware of exactly when to avoid the overcrowded tourist attractions and where to find the best coffee. With much anticipation that had accumulated over the past two years, I arrived at San Francisco International Airport in mid-June last summer.

Another thing about going back to a place you have already seen is that whether that place has changed drastically or stayed more or less the same, you get to bring with yourself a much more mature self. Instead of merely checking off your list of the top ten must-see sceneries arranged in your travel guidebook, you now have the chance to gaze at the same buildings and streets from a different perspective.

For most people, the word “California” immediately illustrates warm and sandy beaches, extremely diverse racial groups, picturesque coastal towns and Hollywood celebrities. However, this common stereotype is not entirely true; like many parts around the world, various areas of the state have their own distinct characteristics. For instance, try cutting the state in half: Today, Northern California and Southern California have separate social norms and different, peculiar slangs (“hella” anyone?). While the fast-paced city of Los Angeles in SoCal is best known for Hollywood stars and celebrities, the story is a bit different up in NorCal. The green and liberal San Francisco prides itself as the symbol of the West Coast with the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, connecting the northern city of San Francisco to Marin County.

From SFO San Francisco International Airport I took the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), a train that connects San Francisco to the East Bay, to Berkeley – my new residence of nine weeks: Berkeley. Unlike the metropolitan San Francisco downtown, Berkeley goes far beyond the impression as a peace-seeking hippie town. Located just east of San Francisco neighboring Oakland and Emeryville, Berkeley is the mecca of racial, religious and social diversity. From young, brainy college students to yuppies and to student activists who roared in the Free Speech Movement in the 1960’s, the politically progressive town flaunts the distinct atmosphere of the Bay.
On one hand, Berkeley is a vivacious college town. UC Berkeley’s open campus area overwhelmed me at first sight with its unconstrained accessibility and freedom. On the other hand, Berkeley has settled as a liberal town filled with vegans, tree huggers and hippies. On the north side in the “gourmet ghetto,” Berkeley features Chez Panisse, the restaurant of the local, organic food movement leader Alice Waters.’ famous Michelin-awarded restaurant Chez Panisse.

Only a half-an-hour BART ride away from Downtown Berkeley is Powell Station. Powell Station connects directly to the upscale Westfield Shopping Centre featuring Bloomingdale’s, which features Bloomingdale’s and Nordstrom. After watching the annual Pride Parade, I spent the rest of the afternoon at Union Square, the famous shopping and dining district. From Powell, I also had the chance of hoppingto hop on the F-line streetcar along the Embarcadero, arriving at the wharf. Still jetlagged and famished, I opted for a quick meal of clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl at the Fishermen’s Wharf, located right next to Pier 39. By the time I walked up to Ghirardelli Square after watching sea lions sleeping on the dock, I had fallen in love with San Francisco all over again.

One thing to keep in mind when visiting San Francisco or “The City,” as commonly referred to by most people in the Bay Area, is to wear lots of layers. Contrary to the popular belief that California only has hot sunny days, the weather in Northern California may be a bit surprising. A famous quote states “the coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.” The San Franciscan chilly winds and fog of the Bay Area can sometimes surprise visitors during summertime.

But if you are looking to get away from the crowds of the San Francisco, Santa Cruz is the place to check out. Oonly an hour and a half away by car from San Francisco (or if you are like me and out of luck without a car, only four hours away via BART, three busses and Amtrak train). Unlike the crowded San Francisco and Berkeley, Santa Cruz is a smaller city better known for its relaxing surfing beachfronts. Placed right next to the beach is the Boardwalk, the oldest surviving theme park that is open year-round. Boardwalk offers rollercoaster rides and typical carnival foods such as corndogs and deep-fried cheesecake. Aside from the downtown area, the Mystery Spot and the University of California, Santa Cruz campus are places to check out.

Like the perfect combination of cool shades and the bright sun featured in typical California weather, the captivating Bay Area scenery presented me both worlds of the old and the new. Being 20 years old and hungry for adventure, but at the same time seeking for the place I call home, I told myself on my returning flight to Incheon that this past trip would be named my rite of passage to adulthood. Tony Bennet had sung quite accurately after all – as the popular song “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” goes, “the golden sun will shine for me.” Nostalgia still lingers but I know the sunny California is always waiting.