By Amanda Huffman
Contributing Writer
Winter in Southern California is unlike any place I have ever lived. SoCal is blessed with sunny skies and mild temperatures, so when it dips into the 60s, people say it is cold. Colder than 60 is considered outright freezing. And while there is an occasional cold streak here and there, dropping below freezing is practically unheard of.
People in Southern California love wearing scarves and jackets when it gets “cold,” but they are more of a fashion statement. When you actually live in colder climates, those accessories are not fashion statements but instead are a way to keep you warm.This is what makes winter in Southern California different from so many other places you can live.
No Snow Shovels
We received orders long before we left Virginia, but right before leaving the state, we handed off certain items to neighbors that we wouldn’t be needing in Southern California. After years of shoveling snow on a fairly long driveway, I was happy to hand over my snow shovel to my neighbor and not have to worry about it anymore. While both of my sons do miss snow days and sledding, we now have the option in the winter to head to the beach where the city creates sand hills to protect against storm surges. Those protective sand hills make for the perfect place to go sledding but with no snow required and sunny skies overhead.
No Winterization Required
Over the years, having lived in various colder climates, we have learned the importance of preparing for winter: Protecting pipes from freezing by leaving the water dripping overnight and ensuring lawn care equipment is ready for winter. We no longer have to worry about those things. It doesn’t get cold enough here in SoCal to worry about frozen pipes. And while the amount of outdoor garden work diminishes with cooler temperatures, we still find ourselves mowing the lawn throughout the year.
We also don’t have to worry about buying salt for icy driveways or about driving in winter weather, unless you count rain, which of course Southern Californians do.
Spending Time Outside
When winter hit hard in past locations, going outside was sometimes unsafe and often required lots of layers and a plan for a place to take a break to warm up. Weather is not a concern when you live in Southern California. Even when there is a cold streak, the daytime temperatures often climb into the 50s, making for a nice day outside without a heavy winter jacket. It is nice to be able to send the kids outside for the day or to plan an outing and not have to worry about how cold you will be.
It is easy to spend a day exploring the beach, DisneylandⓇ, Universal StudiosⓇ, Griffith Observatory, the LA or San Diego Zoo, and any number of the attractions or sites in Southern California, no matter what day of the year it is.
Winter Activities Are not Out of Reach
Maybe the best part of being in Southern California during the winter is that you get a reprieve from the winter weather, but if you are looking for a snowy getaway or participating in winter sports, it only takes a few hours of driving to find them.
Southern California has its own version of winter and it is mild and uneventful. While I do miss slowing down as the weather gets colder, I don’t miss being cold and I love being able to enjoy beautiful weather all year long.
Amanda is a military Veteran who served in the Air Force for six years as a Civil Engineer who served on a combat deployment with the Army in Afghanistan. She traded in her combat boots for a diaper bag to stay home with her two boys and follow her husband’s military career in the Space Force. Amanda is the host of the Women of the Military podcast. There she shares the stories of women who have served or are serving in the military. The podcast has over 200 episodes and over 100K downloads. Amanda is also an author and has published two books. Her first book, Women of the Military tells the stories of 28 military women who served in the military. Her second book, A Girl’s Guide to Military Service, is the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Gold Winner for Teen Non Fiction. It is a guide for high school girls considering military service to help them build a strong foundation for their future career. She also works as a freelance writer and has been featured in a number of military publications including The War Horse, Military.com, Military Families Magazine, Clearance Jobs, Military Spouse Magazine, and more.
