Why California Is Still Worth Fighting For

From the foothills of Altadena to the coastal slopes of the Pacific Palisades, nature reminded us of its unbridled and overwhelming power in a single, sweltering afternoon in early January. In the weeks since the devastating fires, I’ve wondered whether it’s still worth it: worth staying, rebuilding, and holding on to the faith I have in this heartbreaking place where I was born and raised. Yet even under hazy skies and the faint smell of smoke, California’s magic remains—a defiant promise in the face of destruction—reminding us, even now, why this broken yet remarkable place is still worth fighting for.

In the aftermath of such devastation, questions loom: Can we afford to rebuild? Should we hold on to what remains of the California Dream? The fires, of course, are a stark reminder of the precariousness of it all. Nature is a force both magnificent and merciless, a constant reminder of our own fragility—our own limitations. We build our homes and carve out our lives in the face of these elemental powers, sometimes forgetting just how small we are in the grand scheme of things.

Yet California has always been a land of trials and triumphs. In recent years, we’ve faced raging wildfires, droughts, earthquakes, incessant crime, and rolling blackouts. I have watched friends and family pack up and leave, driven away by high costs and a sense of uncertainty. Each challenge leaves scars: burned landscapes, homes lost, communities tested. But each time, we band together. Neighbors offer shelter to evacuees, volunteers bring food and water to those in need, and entire communities rebuild from ashes. This resilience is woven into California’s identity. Like the ancient redwoods that withstand storms, Californians bend but do not break.

Of course, resilience is more than just enduring hardship—it’s a commitment to rise again and improve. We clear brush to prevent future fires, rally for better infrastructure after earthquakes, and innovate during droughts to save water. Sometimes, those innovations come directly from individuals and community groups. In places like Montecito, for example, the tragic 2018 mudslides spurred local fire-safe councils to strengthen evacuation protocols and partner with environmentalists to restore hillsides. Stories like these reveal the spirit of California: not just surviving, but striving to overcome.

Beyond the struggles lies an enduring magic. This state is blessed with a dazzling diversity of landscapes and people. On the same day, you can watch the sunrise over desert sands and see it set beyond Pacific waves. Snow-capped Sierra Nevada peaks feed lush valleys below, while coastal forests whisper ancient secrets. This natural grandeur inspires a sense of wonder that no hardship can extinguish.

California’s true gold, however, is in its people and culture. For generations, California has been the land of dreams, the place where fortunes are made and remade, and where reinvention is not just possible but expected. From the Gold Rush pioneers to Hollywood storytellers, from the tech innovators of Silicon Valley to artists seeking inspiration in desert landscapes, California has always been a magnet for those seeking something more—something bigger, something brighter.

And dreams, even when singed by fire, have a remarkable capacity to regenerate. They may lie dormant for a time, buried beneath ash and debris, but the spark remains, waiting for the right conditions to ignite anew. This is the essence of the California spirit, this unwavering belief in the future.

We also celebrate creativity and diversity: you hear dozens of languages in our cities, taste the world in our food, and see art and technology drive each other forward. Every wave of newcomers—whether from another state or across an ocean—carries the hope of a better life and adds to our rich tapestry. That California Dream of opportunity and freedom still lives, renewed by each generation that believes in it.

With so much beauty and potential, California is still worth fighting for. But fighting for it means not accepting the status quo. We can love our home and still insist it lives up to its promise. That means facing our problems head-on with the same ingenuity and courage that built California in the first place.

Part of this renewal involves finally calling for competence and vision—not just from our leaders, but from ourselves. For far too long, we have tolerated mediocrity and even outright corruption in our political class. One of the most puzzling aspects of living here is the lack of outrage over California’s broken and toxic politics. Ultimately, the sole purpose of state, county, and municipal governments is to provide the essentials of life. 

We need a government that fixes roads and manages forests effectively and ensures public safety and quality education—all without stifling innovation or burdening future generations with mismanagement and debt. It’s not about partisanship; it’s about pragmatism. Good ideas can come from any side, but they mean little without effective action.

The best solutions often start at the community level: neighbors forming local councils, businesses devising creative, cost-effective housing solutions, and engineers and environmentalists collaborating on water-saving technology. When everyday people step up—mentoring youth, creating jobs, or simply caring for their block—they embody the can-do ethos that made this state thrive.

Renewing the California Dream also means embracing a lighter, smarter approach to governance. Our state has vast resources of talent and treasure; we must use them wisely. Sometimes that means government getting out of the way where it hinders progress—streamlining regulations that make it so hard to build a home or start a new venture. Other times it means focusing on core duties: maintaining infrastructure, protecting communities from fire and crime, and preserving the natural beauty that surrounds us. A lighter but more effective touch, one that empowers individuals and communities, will let Californians themselves drive the revival of our state.

Every sunset that turns the California sky gold and orange reminds us of why we stay and persevere. This place sparks our imagination and dares us to dream bigger. Yes, the challenges are real, and at times they can be discouraging. But giving up on California would mean giving up on a part of the American story that is still being written.

In the end, California’s greatest strength has always been the people who remain steadfast through every trial. We carry the legacy of those who rebuilt San Francisco after the great earthquake, who replanted forests after devastating fires, and who forged gleaming cities from barren deserts—making the state better for the next generation. Now it’s our turn. We owe it to those who came before and those yet to come to keep that torch burning.

California is more than a place on a map; it’s an ideal, a beacon of possibility. We stand on the brink of challenges that test our resolve, but if we come together with the same fearless optimism that built California, our next chapter can be as radiant as our golden sunsets. The spirit of California—bold, innovative, and fundamentally hopeful—is what Sunset has always championed. California is indeed still worth fighting for, and the fight itself will help bring about the brighter future we know is possible.

The work begins now.