Anyone who’s explored California knows the north and south ends might as well be two different planets. If the Golden State makes you think more of Pacific Northwest pines than palm trees, then you might be from the majestic wonderland that is northern California. Whether you spent childhood crabbing off the Humboldt coast or learning to shred on the slopes of Tahoe, the north state will forever be a part of you. Here are eleven undeniable signs you grew up in northern California.

1. When you tell people where you're from, they assume you mean San Francisco
Flickr/Nicolas Raymond
As if the state ends at the Bay and skips right to Oregon.
2. When you really mean northern California
Flickr/Miguel Vieira
Keep driving for five hours and you'll find it!
3. But there was still a cool bridge!
Flickr/Peter Alfred Hess
The Golden Gate ain't got nothin' on Redding's Sundial Bridge.
4. You know the Emerald Triangle isn't made of gems
Flickr/Adria vidal
Northern California's most infamous green crop gave that name to Humboldt, Trinity, and Mendocino counties.
5. The mythical State of Jefferson is real
Flickr/A. F. Litt
Several attempts have been made to legally separate rural northern California and southern Oregon into the independent State of Jefferson.

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6. You know where Lemurians come from
Flickr/Erik Wilde
Mt. Shasta (aka the root chakra of the world) is believed to be home to an ancient civilization living deep beneath the volcano's surface.
7. You never had to fight for a spot on the beach
Flickr/Softly Lit Studios
Northern California's coast is home to beautiful, remote beaches.
8. You learned to ski and walk at the same age
Flickr/Ruth Hartnup
Because that's what you do when you have a mountain in your backyard.
9. Weed is a town and you went to school there
Wikipedia/bahn mi
And maybe you have an "I <3 Weed" lighter or coffee mug to prove it.
10. You've met Bigfoot
Flickr/Redwood Coast
In fact, you couldn't get away from him! The dude is all over Willow Creek.
11. You either still live here, or wonder why you ever left
Flickr/Tony Hisgett
Although southern Oregon isn't so bad...

Do you have a favorite indicator of your NorCal upbringing? Leave a comment telling us how people know you grew up in northern California!

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