For Zoey Deutch, movies are the family business. Her mom, Lea Thompson, starred in Back to the Future, and her dad, Howard Deutch, directed Pretty in Pink. But plenty of kids grow up in California with parents who work in the entertainment industry; not many of them manage to carve out a career like that of Deutch, who early on not only starred in films like Richard Linklater’s Everybody Wants Some!! and Set It Up, but has also had lead roles in and produced films such as Not Okay and Something from Tiffany’s. She’s also made a name for herself as an activist, working with Water.org and other charitable organizations. 

Her latest turn in front of the camera is for Voicemails for Isabelle—a poignant Netflix rom-com with a gorgeous San Francisco backdrop—that’s slated to come out on June 19. A proud lifelong Californian, Deutch shares her favorite parts of the state with us.

Where do you live? The Valley in Los Angeles.

Why there? I grew up here, love it here, can’t ever see myself leaving here. Die-hard Valley Girl!

Who or what is your greatest California love? Art’s Deli! Matzo ball soup, half pastrami, pickles, Caesar salad, egg cream, and latkes. Dream meal.

What is the biggest misperception about Californians? That we solely exist in a vain and self-absorbed world. Call me biased, but I think Californians are generally really cool, hard-working, interesting humans…who really don’t know how to drive in the rain.

What is the stereotype that most holds true? See above, hahaha. That we do not know how to drive in the rain. And that all we do is talk about the 101, 405, and how much traffic we are always in.

Time for a road trip—where are you going? The Madonna Inn! Or Big Sur. Or Joshua Tree National Park. It’s too hard to choose one. I love California.

If you could decree an official state culinary experience, what would it be? I’m Los Angeles-partial. And damn, this is hard. Jon & Vinny’s, Sushi Katsu-ya Studio City, Madeo. I can’t choose. A dish from each place, possibly?