Bet on California
California’s story is bigger than the headlines: a top-five global economy that regularly contributes a massive share of U.S. GDP and sets the pace in tech, entertainment, clean energy, biotech, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing. It’s not just code and cameras, either—the state quietly leads the nation in manufacturing output by value, anchored by high-skill supply chains and world-class research universities that spin innovation into jobs.
It’s also the nation’s pantry. California grows more food than any other state and produces an unmatched variety—400+ commodities. Think almonds and pistachios, table grapes and wine, lettuce and berries, dairy and citrus. A huge share of America’s fruits, nuts, and vegetables originate here, powering exports and keeping supermarket shelves stocked from coast to coast.
Natural resources are a California calling card. Hydropower, geothermal, wind, and solar expand the state’s energy mix while sprawling forests, fertile valleys, and a 1,000-mile coastline make the outdoors a daily lifestyle, not a vacation. From the coves of San Diego to Big Sur’s cliffs, from Yosemite granite to the Redwood cathedrals, the state’s natural beauty isn’t just a postcard—it’s an economic asset that fuels tourism, recreation, and quality of life.
Yes, California is expensive. But price follows demand. If living here weren’t coveted, costs wouldn’t climb. People still vote with their feet and their wallets: deep labor markets, creative communities, and network effects make opportunity stack up in ways few places can match.
Waves of hate come and go, often driven by jealousy or politics and rarely by data. The facts on the ground are stubborn: California builds, feeds, designs, films, codes, and manufactures at global scale—and has for generations. The Golden State’s track record is leadership in motion. Expect that to continue for generations to come.
