California slang is part surf report, part traffic therapy, and part In-N-Out secret menu—sprinkled with regional pride you can hear from Eureka to El Centro. If these hit your ear like a sea breeze through eucalyptus, you didn’t just visit—you parallel-parked on a hill and called it Tuesday.
Hella / Hecka
NorCal intensifier meaning “very/really,” best paired with “traffic,” “fog,” or “expensive.”
The 5 / the 405 / the 101
Freeways get the definite article; saying “I-405” outs you faster than wearing socks to the beach.
PCH (Highway 1)
Pacific Coast Highway; “let’s take PCH” = windows down, playlists up, ETA unknown.
June Gloom / May Gray / No-Sky July
The marine layer’s seasonal trilogy; locals pack hoodies for beach days like it’s a ritual.
Karl the Fog
San Francisco’s famously personified fog; he has a social life and better photos than you.
The City / The Town
Bay Area shorthand: “The City” = San Francisco, “The Town” = Oakland. Use correctly or be judged.
The Valley
In LA, that’s San Fernando; expect studio lots, sushi, and 12° more summer. (Central Valley needs its full name.)
IE
Inland Empire (909/951). If someone says “I’m out in the IE,” they mean warehouses, mountains, and longer drives.
The OC
Orange County, a vibe involving beaches, master-planned everything, and immaculate taco stands.
Animal Style
In-N-Out code for grilled onions, extra spread, and mustard-seared patties; also applies to fries if you’re bold.
Mission-Style
Burrito blueprint born in SF: rice, beans, and half your week’s calories wrapped in foil.
Hyphy
Bay Area party energy: go dumb, shake the block, ghost-ride (responsibly) the whip.
SigAlert
Official “welp, we’re stuck” traffic bulletin; translates to “pick a podcast.”
The Grapevine
That I-5 mountain pass that decides whether your road trip happens or not.
Super Bloom
Desert hills exploding with wildflowers after big rains; entire weekend plans: “we’re chasing the bloom.”
California slang is a compass—pointing you to the nearest coastline, taquería, or alternate route around a SigAlert. It’s how natives discuss weather in a place that “doesn’t have seasons” and still own five types of jackets. If you didn’t have to Google a single entry, you’re certified Golden State…