Say These 13 Words Correctly and Every Californian Will Know You’re One of Them

California might look easygoing on the surface — beaches, tacos, endless sunshine — but one wrong word out of your mouth, and you’ll expose yourself faster than a tourist in a Hollywood gift shop. Real Californians have mastered a secret language of tricky city names, Spanish influences, and words that sound nothing like they’re spelled. If you can pronounce these 13 words like a native, congratulations — you’ve officially earned your first In-N-Out order without judgment.

Los Angeles (Laws-AN-juh-luss)

Not “Loss Angle-ees.” Not “Los Angelees.” Say it smooth, like you’re stuck in traffic on the 405.

La Jolla (Luh-HOY-uh)

It’s Spanish, it’s classy, and it’s not “La-Joll-a.” Mispronounce it and prepare for side-eye.

Joaquin (Wah-KEEN)

Yes, like Phoenix. No, it’s not “Joe-Quinn.” Please stop.

San Joaquin Valley (San Wah-KEEN Valley)

You better get the valley name right — it’s where all your almonds come from, after all.

Cajon Pass (Kuh-HONE Pass)

Not “Cajun” Pass. Not “Cah-John.” This one separates the locals from the GPS-dependent.

Sepulveda Boulevard (Suh-PULL-vuh-duh)

You will spend half your life stuck on this street and the other half learning how to say it properly.

Zzyzx (ZYE-zix)

If you can pronounce this desert oddity correctly without spraining your tongue, you deserve free gas for life.

Tuolumne (Too-ALL-uh-me)

Fun to say, beautiful to visit, and a guaranteed way to expose a poser instantly.

Point Mugu (Point Muh-GOO)

Sounds funny, but if you call it “Mug-You,” the ocean might personally wash you away.

Brea (BRAY-uh)

Not “Bree-uh” or “Bree.” It’s short, sweet, and full of overpriced lattes.

Ojai (OH-high)

One wrong syllable and you’re banned from all farmers’ markets within a 50-mile radius.

Temecula (Tuh-MEH-kyuh-luh)

Practice saying it now — you’ll need it when you’re wine tasting and trying to sound fancy.

Cuyamaca (Kwee-uh-MACK-uh)

Bless your heart if you thought it was “Cue-yah-mack-ah.” Just don’t.

If you breezed through that list without sounding like a lost tourist from Nebraska, welcome to the land of endless brunches, wildfires, and emotional support surfboards. California is all about vibes — and pronouncing things correctly is a big part of it. Now grab your flip-flops, hop on the 101, and remember: it’s always “hella” cool to sound like you belong.

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