Having visited Alaska numerous times with my husband who grew up there, I appreciate the rugged,  beautiful,  and  natural scenery,  and  the wildlife that call it home.  When people ask me about Alaska,  I  tell them the truth,  untold beauty, but also to always remember the boy scout saying, 'be prepared '.  When venturing outside of the few urban areas,  you are in a rugged,  beautiful wilderness,  much like the Northern California I have called my home for over 30 years.  I  may always be an "outsider "in Alaska,  but I  don't disparage the state and it's people.  I  urge Alaska residents when they venture "outside " , to come visit our beautiful state and it's people - you will be pleasantly surprised if you allow yourself to be.  California,  while not as large as Alaska, has a wealth of environments, from deserts,  wetlands,  mountains,  the largest farming region in the country,  and  one of the largest in the world,  rugged coastlines,  and  yes,  incredible cities.