In Southern California, we have plenty of beaches, although generally, others only notice Malibu and Venice. In the movie industry, we are portrayed as beach-bums, valley girls, and surfers. It is true, we have all 3 characteristics in our beaches. The most popular beaches in movies are, Leo Carrillo State Park, Zuma Beach County Park,Point Dume State Beach, Malibu Lagoon State Beach, Will Rogers State Beach, Santa Monica State Beach,Venice City Beach, Long Beach City Beach. Each beach carries its own vibe and atmosphere. Overall, SoCal citizens are made to look like we live the beach- lifestyle every day. We usually use the beach as an entertainment spot, as it has the Venice Art Walk, and the Santa Monica Pier as well, using such for leisure activity. Other stereotypes are that it is always sunny at the beach, we are all tan, and we get along and play volleyball together.

 

On social media, the usual beach pictures, are jumping off a big rock by the water, the palm trees, the “ feet on the shore” picture, and I’m sure we are all guilty of taking these 3 types. The bohemian lifestyle is what most trendy beach go-ers are after: The flowy clothes, hipster henna tattoos, big sunglasses, and ocean- waved hair.

Society pushes us to believe that these are the things that make us Californians. Without these things we wouldn’t be living here the correct way. However, look around and notice that, the weather isn’t always beautiful, many of us, especially in today’s America, are not fit, and that we don’t all get along. In the beach, most families generally keep to themselves, and try not to disturb the peace. From outside California it is believed that all of us live around a beach. They tend to forget beaches are on a coast, therefore the West Coast of California consumes them all. We are stereotyped as materialistic, blonde, blue-eyed Americans. Fact of the matter is, our beaches are very culturally diverse. Californians shouldn’t be restricted to just beach bums. We have plenty more to offer, such as in our schools, our arts, and a big topic in California, our talents.