I've lived up and down the east coast of the US from New England to South Florida, but over the last couple years I've had the chance to spend a good deal of time in California. I must say that California is a different world in many ways. Although there is a multitude of natural beauty to be found across America, some of the drives I embarked on in CA offered some of the most breathtaking views I've seen in the U.S.A.
One drive in particular went from Walnut Creek to Napa Valley, across Marin county to the coast, then down the Pacific Coast Highway, through redwood forests to Sausalito and finally across the Golden Gate bridge into San Francisco.
For an east coast boy whose only previous experience with California was L.A. proper, it was like being on a alien planet, or maybe Tolkien's Middle Earth. I was awestruck at every turn by the landscape, wineries, architecture and natural beauty. I wanted to celebrate my experience with a California playlist, and for the sake of continuity I selected a single genre, Classic Rock. The result is a CD-sized compilation of classic rock songs about California. I hope to see her again soon.
Classic Rock Songs About California Playlist
1. California - Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
2. L.A. Woman - The Doors
3. Mean Old Frisco - Eric Clapton
4. Samba De Sausalito - Santana
6. Ukiah - The Doobie Brothers
7. California Sunset - Neil Young
8. California Girls - The Beach Boys
10. California - Joni Mitchell
11. Hollywood Town - Manfred Mann's Earth Band
12. California Dreamin' - The Mamas & The Papas
13. California - Lenny Kravitz