12 Things That Northern and Southern California Fight Over

Let's face it, despite being one state that needs both the North and South sectors to get along for the sake of our economy and infrastructure, we sure don't agree on many things. If you travel to one part of the state after spending time in the other, you'll find a completely different culture and way of life. Up here in Northern California, we're proud of our differences from the lower half of the state.

1. Where the divide between Northern and Southern California actually is.

Come to think of it, have you noticed that NO ONE can agree on this, even among ourselves up here in Northern California?

In 1996, a group of surveyors marked the official Geographical Center of California. It turns out it's located at 37°09′58″N 119°26′58″W, in the middle of nowhere between North Fork and Lake Redinger. Obviously this isn't the cultural center, though!

2. Which half has the better places to live and more close knit communities.

And then there's the small picturesque towns like Harmony that are kind of in the middle...

3. Water rights.

Water has been a sensitive subject over the last few years. It's such a bummer to see our Northern California water get shipped down to SoCal, despite the fact that they "own" it.

4. Who has better mountains.

The tallest point in California is Mount Whitney in SoCal, but our NorCal mountains are just breathtaking.

And don't forget Mount Shasta!

5. Really awesome places like Big Sur...

This one is far enough south that those of us up here in the North usually call it SoCal, but folks down in the LA region think of it as Northern California!

6. ...Yosemite National Park...

Yosemite is pretty central, so this one is a tough call.

7. ... Santa Cruz...

To many, Santa Cruz is the quintessential Northern California beach town, unless you think that NorCal ends above the Bay Area.

8. ... The Eastern Sierra

It's easy to forget about everything on the right of our largest range of mountains here in California, but the truth is this one of the most beautiful parts of the state.

9. .... Monterey Bay

Again, another place that both NorCal and SoCal think belongs to the other!

10. And then there are the places that neither side of the state really wants to lay claim to, like Fresno (sorry Fresno!).

Many people from down south consider Fresno to be the dividing line between the two regions, but I would never consider this city part of the NorCal I know and love!.

11. If California looks better decorated with pine trees...

... or palm trees.

(I would rather spend my time in the mountains of Northern CA than the overpacked beaches of SoCal any day!)

12. What being a "Californian" actually means.

This cool shot was taken in Half Moon Bay, one of those gray areas that isn't really in NorCal or SoCal. While Central California is definitely a term that gets thrown around a lot, it's kind of an umbrella term that no one really can define, either.

There are so many more differences and things Northern and Southern California just don't see eye to eye on. What are your pet peeves about the other half of the state, and where do you draw the line? Let us know in the comments!