Walking Around SoCal: How To Be A Pedestrian In The Car Driving State

Can you be a pedestrian in a place where most people drive? This sounds rather paradoxical as Southern California is known for its long commutes and congested freeways. Even if cars are coveted in California, not everyone chooses this form of transportation. At a young age I never remember wanting to get a car as soon as I turned sixteen, so I did not do that. However, if you hate to drive and love to walk, then being a pedestrian in Southern California is very manageable with the many public transportation options available. For instance, I love the view of the Rim of the World Highway, but I would never want to drive on it. The Rim, also known as Highway 18, has a very scenic view, but it takes awhile to get used to going up and down it. There is a bus that goes up and down the San Bernardino Mountains, so need to drive it that is not your preference.

Generally, I am not scared if someone else is doing the driving, but I broke out into a sweat the few times I attempted this myself. I was quite a reluctant driver, and it was not until I was twenty-one that I even attempted to take driver's training. Panic and anxiety were all I felt behind the wheel most of the time, and only occasionally did I feel at ease driving. After taking the driving portion of the test and scaring the examiner with my skittish moves, I decided enough was enough!

I was simply too scared to drive, and that day I decided to stop trying. Some people may not understand this, but I decided to quit because I never really wanted to drive anyway. Honestly, I would probably have never even tried to drive if it were not for family and friends telling me this is something everyone must do. By the time I was twenty-four I decided well many people world around do not drive and live happy and productive lives, and I wanted to become one of them. Today I walk everywhere and use the bus only for trips that are too distant. I am the quintessential Southern California pedestrian, but there are actually more of us than people might think. If you live in a community with good sidewalks and strolling around is a pleasure, and it beats going to the gym. I even stopped riding the bus and opted for my longer walks, and I have lost weight as a result. Of course walking six miles several days a week might be for everyone, but this is a work out routine that has allowed me to lose weight without going on some restrictive diet. Actually, I eat pretty much the way I did before I upped my walks from three to six miles, except now I have stopped drinking soda for the most part.

I enjoy the view when someone else is driving, but I never want to drive myself. I feel so much better when I can walk, and it is just part of why I love being a pedestrian. People used to ask me why I did not drive, but as I have got older I think they have finally accepted that I do not want to. I am fine as long as someone else is driving, but it is not for me. I am capable of mapping out my route via Mapquest, taking a bus, and walking as much as I can. This means I am willing to walk five miles sometimes, but the workout is always exhilarating. Let me share some of my favorite pictures I have taken during my walks in lovely Southern California.

The above video shows the lovely view of the Pinnacles.

The view from the San Bernardino Mountains at sunset is truly amazing.