By Linda Bailey Walsh
I grew up in New Jersey by the beach but for some reason it seemed like all I ever heard about was California. Everybody knew everything from California was the best. It seemed like California Dreaming was always on the radio and in summers the goal was a California tan. I played for hours with Malibu Barbie and if the kids on Beverly Hills 90210 wore it, it was cool. There is no doubt that I have LA Looks Hair Gel to thank for most of my awesome 80’s styles.
How could New Jersey ever possibly compare?
I was sure it couldn’t so, first chance I had I got on a plane to Los Angeles with California Here I Come playing in my head- phones. I settled smack dab in the middle of it all. I can see the Hollywood sign from my street and just a few blocks away there are stars with famous peoples names on them in the pavement. Just down the road is Paramount Studios. The weather is an embarrassment of riches 95% of the time, and the other 5%? Well, it’s still just fine. There’s really no two ways about it, California is in fact, beautiful. Everyone was right. Just like Randy Newman sang in his song, I love LA.
Naturally I couldn’t wait to get to the beach. After a lifetime of hearing songs, seeing movies and reading books about it I couldn’t wait. I’ll never forget the first thought I had when I walked onto a beach in California.
That thought was; Meh.
Yup. Meh.
First of all, growing up a car ride to the beach meant passing rows of cornfields and stopping at a local farm to pick up some fresh produce to snack on. Sadly, most people will never understand how incredible a Jersey tomato is.
The drive to the beach here is also the stuff of legend but unfortunately; Los An- geles Freeways are more of a nightmare than a dream. To top that off hardly any of the beaches here have boardwalks and the water is cold with lots of rocks and seaweed in it.
In Jersey a beach day meant Saltwater Taffy and beautiful Victorian Houses all in a row overlooking sparkling water that I’d spend hours in riding waves while music played in the background (usually Bruce). Going down the shore (as any true NJ na- tive would call it) was always joyful. A day filled with friends and family. The Jersey Shore has a sense of community that I’ve never seen anywhere else in the world.
Now I’m not going to try to pretend that Cali and its beaches aren’t beautiful, that would be crazy talk but there is a quality that they are lacking, something that only Jersey has. I’d guess it’s like when you meet a pretty girl but, she doesn’t know any of your favorite bands and won’t even try your dessert, it’s just not as much fun to be around. I think maybe it’s because they take it for granted out here, a day at the beach, a beautiful sunset, they have it all the time.
In New Jersey we always knew that we’d be chipping ice off of our cars in no time so these special, sun kissed days were to be savored.
And yes, it never rains in Southern Cal-ifornia but all that’s gotten us is a drought.
So, here I am in California, on what seems like the millionth sunny day in a row and my heart would give anything to be sit-ting on the beach in South Jersey, listening to Jersey Girl because in the end, Spring-steen knew what he was talking about. Down the shore everything really is all right.
