Gustavo Arellano
Gustavo Arellano is the author of Orange County: A Personal History and Taco USA: How Mexican Food Conquered America. In 2025, Arellano was named a Pulitzer Prize finalist for his work as a columnist for the Los Angeles Times. He was formerly editor of OC Weekly, an alternative newspaper in Orange County, California, and penned the award-winning ¡Ask a Mexican!, a nationally syndicated column in which he answered any and all questions about America’s spiciest and largest minority. Arellano is the recipient of awards ranging from the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies Best Columnist to the Los Angeles Press Club President’s Award to an Impact Award from the National Hispanic Media Coalition, and he was recognized by the California Latino Legislative Caucus with a 2008 Spirit Award for his “exceptional vision, creativity, and work ethic.” Arellano is a lifelong resident of Orange County and is the proud son of two Mexican immigrants, one of whom came to this country in the trunk of a Chevy.
Ask a Californian: America’s Only Child
Our Golden State experts tackle your questions about the best locales in which to snuggle up with a book, the must-discussed return of the grizzly, and which other state most closely resembles the Golden one.
Ask a Californian: West Coast vs. Upper West Side
Our Golden State experts tackle your questions about “California Girls,” questionable fashion, and why we’re obsessed with the Big Apple.
Ask a Californian: Summer Is for the Birds
Golden State experts Stacey Grenrock Woods and Gustavo Arellano on nature enthusiasts, vaccines, and one very specific first name.
Ask a Californian: Stop Hating on the Golden State
Our advice columnists dish on envious outsiders, romantic couples, and go bags.
Ask a Californian: Our Most Controversial Column Yet
Golden State experts Stacey Grenrock Woods and Gustavo Arellano on commutes, killers, and California cuisine.
Ask a Californian: Golden State Seasons
Spring has sprung for Golden State experts Gustavo Arellano and Stacey Grenrock Woods—or has it?
Ask a Californian: March Madness Edition
Golden State experts Gustavo Arellano and Stacey Grenrock Woods navigate reader questions about lingo, looks, and license plates.
Under the Feet of Jesus
A personal reflection on Helena María Viramontes’s Under the Feet of Jesus and the generational impact of California farm labor.
At Home with the Bean King
Rancho Gordo founder Steve Sando built a legume empire. He’s finally relaxing—a little.
Ask a Californian: The Love Edition
Golden State experts Gustavo Arellano and Stacey Grenrock Woods tackle all things romantic in California.
Ask a Californian: Driving in the Rain to Texas
Golden State experts Gustavo Arellano and Stacey Grenrock Woods tackle Californians’ skills behind the wheel, apparent moves to Texas, and the best year we ever had.
Ask a Californian: All Wonders, No Blunders
Compiling a list of the Seven Wonders of California was no easy task. Alta Journal’s editors knew there’d be some hard feelings about what didn’t make the cut, so we asked two undisputed experts to review our work. Here, our Ask a Californian columnists weigh in on everything from Robert Redford to In-N-Out.
Studio Title Cards: The Most Magical Movie Moment
Title cards are masterpieces of semiotics.
Taco Trucks: Soft Power
Discover the history of California's favorite taco truck.
Ask a Californian: Call of the Wild Edition
Our columnists on nature, Disneyland, and the Big One.
Ask a Californian: We Give Thanks
Our columnists on beef, turkey, and other forms of sustenance.
Ask a Californian: Your Slogan Here
Our columnists mess with Texas, rate the Olympics, and decide once and for all which is better: ocean or mountains.
A New Zorro Takes On the Swashbuckling Hero
The masked avenger returns in an almost historically accurate, mostly fraught-free, and fun spin on a familiar story.
Ask a Californian: All About Us
Answers to questions about elections, generosity, and self-regard.
There’s Always Room for Jell-O
Would you eat jellied consommé from Musso & Frank? Yes, chef!
Ask a Californian: Finally, a Little Attention for Elon Musk
Wherein our experts address Cybertrucks, bipping, and other crimes against the Golden State.
Ask a Californian: California Plays Itself
Questions about cinema, surfing, and the future of civilization.
Ask a Californian: Welcome to California
The new(ish) Californian’s guide to toughtally blending in.
Ask a Californian: When Restaurants Go to the Dogs
What’s grosser than gross: pups at cafés or matchas with Pilates people?
Ask a Californian: The All-Music Edition
Lyrical answers to questions about the harmonious Golden State.
Ask a Californian: There’s No Sober Like California Sober
Tipples, nip/tucks, and other expert tips.
Ask a Californian: Infrastructure for Beginners
Answers to questions about California’s supposed decline, high-speed trains, and the right spandex for you.
Tijuana’s Beloved Market
A writer who’s shopped at the open-air market since childhood returns—and wonders how long it can hold on amid a changing border town.
Ask a Californian: Reputation Management
Answers to questions about how the world sees us, our music, and our dogs.
One Cool Gringo
Remembering Arhoolie Records founder Chris Strachwitz.
Ask a Californian: More Questions About Buildings and Food
Serious answers to queries about diets, Zillow, and the center of the universe.
Ask a Californian: The Best Advice in the West
A look at route talk and L.A. vs. S.F.