So You Want to Ditch the Flip-Flops for Flip-Flops (But Like, Way Hotter Flip-Flops)? How Far is Southern California from the Equator (Spoiler Alert: It's a Flip-Flop Fling)
Let's face it, Southern California has a lot going for it. Sunshine? Check. Surfing? Double-check. Celebrities with questionable life choices who end up as paparazzi fodder? Absolutely. But what if that California cool just isn't cool enough anymore? What if you crave the kind of heat that makes your car dashboard feel like a fresh-out-of-the-oven pizza?
Well, my friend, you might be yearning for a one-way ticket to the equator, the land of perpetual tan lines and questionable tourist shorts. But before you chuck your wetsuit and pack your swimsuit (emphasis on the very small swimsuit), you might be wondering:
Just How Far North Are We From That Equator Action?
Fear not, fellow adventurer (or maybe just someone who wants to escape a particularly bad Tinder date), because we're about to delve into the fascinating world of geography (and maybe a little math, but hey, we'll keep it light).
The Great Google Maps Gamble (or, I Could Have Just Asked Siri)
Now, there are a few ways to tackle this question. You could, of course, whip out your trusty phone and fire up Google Maps. But where's the fun in that? We're on a quest for knowledge (and maybe a piña colada on the beach), so let's break out our imaginary compass and metaphorical globe.
California Dreamin' vs. Equator Schemin': The Degrees of Separation
Southern California, as you (hopefully) remember from high school geography class, chills out around 33 degrees north latitude. The equator, on the other hand, is the life of the party at 0 degrees latitude. That means we're looking at a difference of 33 whole degrees!
Hold on, though! Here's the Science-y Bit (Don't Panic!)
The Earth isn't flat (sorry, conspiracy theorists), and that means a degree of latitude isn't the same distance everywhere. But for our purposes, we can assume it's pretty darn close. Each degree of latitude is roughly equivalent to 69 miles (nice).
So, How Many Flip-Flops Away Are We?
Drum roll, please... Southern California is roughly 2,277 miles (or about 33 flip-flops, depending on your flip-flop size) from the equator.
The Verdict: It's a Hike (But Totally Worth It for Those Killer Sunburns)
So, there you have it. Getting to the equator from Southern California takes some serious commitment. But hey, think of all the avocado toast you can save on that plane ticket! Besides, a little geographical adventure never hurt anyone (except maybe that guy who got lost in the Amazon with a backpack full of kale chips).
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a date with a map, a dream of flaming hot Cheetos, and a serious case of wanderlust. See you on the equator, suckers! (Just kidding, you're awesome. Maybe we can all meet for piña coladas?)
