If you’ve recently seen a friendly family out walking through the neighborhood, there’s a good chance you’ve crossed paths with the California family. Ryan and Shannon California moved into the neighborhood in July 2026, and while they may be new residents, they’re certainly not new to the York community.

With two State Farm offices to run, two children off at college, a love of travel and adventure, and a family-wide passion for skiing, the Californias have plenty of stories to share, and they’re excited to make new memories right here in the neighborhood.

Ryan and Shannon first crossed paths years ago in Meadville, Pennsylvania, where they both worked at an Italian restaurant. Life took them in different directions, and about five years later, they unexpectedly ran into each other again at Christmas while visiting Meadville. There was just one surprising discovery: they were both now living in York.

That chance reunion quickly turned into something more. The couple got engaged soon afterward and married in 2004 at the Country Club of York.

Ryan grew up in Shrewsbury before moving to Meadville at age 16. After graduating from West Virginia University with a degree in Forest Resource Management, he moved back to York and began working for a hardwood lumber company, buying and selling high-end hardwood products.

In 2008, the market crashed, and discretionary spending on projects such as new kitchens and renovations dropped dramatically. Ryan began looking for a new direction. He had always enjoyed meeting people and helping them, and he had also always wanted to own his own business. The opportunity with State Farm seemed like a natural fit, allowing him to build a business while continuing to work directly with people.

Shannon, originally from the Meadville area near Erie, attended Penn State, earning degrees in Elementary Education and Spanish. She later earned her master’s degree in Spanish from Millersville University. She spent 16 years teaching third and fifth grade at East York Elementary School before joining the family business in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Today, Ryan and Shannon own State Farm offices in Hanover and York. Ryan serves as CEO, while Shannon handles marketing and helps keep the business connected to its customers and community.

Their children have gotten involved in the family business over the years, too.

Their son, Grant, 20, is a junior at West Chester University studying Finance with a minor in Sales. He has earned his Property & Casualty and Life & Health insurance licenses and has helped at the family’s York office.

Their daughter, Amelia, 18, is a freshman at West Virginia University studying Business Administration with a minor in Spanish. She also plays club soccer. The family will miss having her around the business, particularly her videography skills and the entertaining videos she created featuring the State Farm team.

If there’s one thing that seems to define the Californias, it’s their love of adventure.

The entire family loves to ski. Ryan was a member of the WVU ski team, while Shannon learned to ski growing up in northwest Pennsylvania. Their children have been skiing since they were five and seven.

Their love of travel has also led to some meaningful family experiences. During Amelia’s senior year of high school, the family hosted Martina, an exchange student from a rural area outside Barcelona in Catalonia, Spain. Martina lived with them for 10 months, from August through June, and quickly became like another daughter. A soccer player and ski racer, Martina and Amelia had plenty in common. The two became like sisters- arguing, rough-housing and even tattling on each other in true sibling fashion.

The Californias loved introducing Martina to American traditions, from hunting for Easter baskets and gifts from Santa Claus to high school sports, homecoming and prom. They also enjoyed showing her special places throughout the United States. The feeling was mutual. Less than two weeks after Martina returned to Spain, Ryan and Shannon flew to Barcelona to visit her family. They spent two days exploring a local festival, enjoying Spanish food and hiking in the Pyrenees Mountains.

The family has also enjoyed ski trips to Whistler, British Columbia, and hiking adventures in places including Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks, Bavaria, Hawaii and Catalonia.

For Shannon’s 50th birthday, she requested wine tasting and hiking somewhere beautiful. Since her birthday is in January, she and Ryan headed south (way south) to Santiago, Chile, with Shannon’s brother and sister-in-law. They visited three wine regions and hiked in the Andes Mountains, enjoying temperatures around 80 degrees while it was winter back home.

While skiing and travel bring the family together, each California has individual interests.

Ryan and Grant enjoy hunting, fishing and golf. Grant played on the York Suburban golf team, while Ryan has taken several hunting trips out west.

Shannon enjoys tennis and platform tennis at the Country Club of York and hopes to learn more about golf now that both children have graduated from high school.

Amelia is the family’s artist and adventure seeker. In addition to soccer, she took art classes throughout high school and was involved with the National Art Honor Society. Many of the decorations in her bedroom and dorm room are paintings she created herself. She’s also often the first to say “yes” to a daring adventure.

The Californias officially moved into the neighborhood in July, and one of their favorite things about their new home is already clear: the people.

“We love taking walks in the neighborhood and how friendly the neighbors are when we pass them,” they shared. Several neighbors even stopped by with goodies to welcome them after they moved in, a simple gesture that made a big impression. They’re looking forward to becoming more involved, meeting more neighbors and participating in neighborhood events. They also enjoy hosting parties and spending time with friends.

The family has several local favorites. Eastern Market and Central Market are their favorite places to shop for food, while Crimson is a go-to for casual dinners. For a nicer night out, they enjoy Bloom and the Country Club of York. Shannon and Amelia enjoy shopping at Compass Rose in Old Tollgate Village, while the kids love browsing Community Aid for fun and inexpensive finds. And when they want to meet friends for a cocktail, Victor’s is a favorite spot.

Whether through their business, travel, hosting Martina, or simply getting to know the people around them, relationships have always been an important part of the California family’s life. Now, they’re looking forward to building those relationships right here in their new neighborhood.

For the Californias, moving into a new home has been about more than a change of address. It’s the beginning of a new chapter filled with new friendships, new adventures and new memories. They may be the new neighbors, but thanks to the warm welcome they’ve received, they’re already feeling right at home.

So the next time you see Ryan or Shannon out for a walk, be sure to say hello. They’re looking forward to becoming an active part of the community and filling this next chapter with plenty of good friends and great adventures.