California: The State Everyone Says They Hate, But Still Visit First
No state draws more opinions—or more tourists—than California. Scroll any comment section and you’ll hear it all: “It’s too expensive,” “It’s full of liberals,” “I’d never live there.” But those same commenters? They’ve probably been to Yosemite, watched a sunset in Santa Monica, or taken a selfie in front of the Golden Gate Bridge.
California is the go-to vacation spot people love to complain about—and then visit anyway. And whether they admit it or not, it keeps earning that #1 spot for a reason.
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California Tops the Charts—Every Single Year
California saw over 240 million visits in 2023, more than any other U.S. state, generating $150 billion in travel spending (source: Visit California). It’s not just domestic travel either—international tourists prioritize California as their entry point to the U.S., drawn by world-famous attractions and natural beauty.
From Disneyland to Death Valley, Lake Tahoe to La Jolla, there’s something here for every kind of traveler. And while people may grumble about crowds or costs, they keep showing up—for the beaches, the wine, the national parks, the culture, and the freedom to experience it all in one state.
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The Things People Mock Are Often What Makes It Great
Yes, California has high taxes, eco-regulations, and “too many Teslas.” But those very policies also mean cleaner air, protected coastlines, efficient transit systems, and massive investment in public spaces. It’s why the state has nine national parks, hundreds of miles of protected coastline, and more public EV chargers than any other state.
The “overregulation” that gets mocked online? It’s also the reason the trails are marked, the roads are safe, and your beach isn’t fenced off by a resort. It’s not dysfunction—it’s deliberate design for long-term access and sustainability.
Everyone Finds Their California
California is more than just L.A. or San Francisco. Redwoods in the north, deserts in the south, rugged coastline, ski towns, agricultural valleys, artsy enclaves—you can road trip through five climates and a dozen subcultures in a single week.
This versatility is why it keeps topping destination lists. Nature lovers, foodies, families, solo backpackers, surfers, wine drinkers, theme park junkies—it has something for everyone. Even the people who “hate it” can find a corner that speaks to them.
If It’s So Bad… Why Do You Keep Coming Back?
This is the big one. If California is as unlivable and overhyped as the internet says, why does it consistently rank as one of the most desired states to visit—and one of the most photographed on social media?
Simple: people want what California offers. They just don’t want to admit it out loud. So the cycle continues—complain in public, vacation in private.
