Ever since she appeared in 1988’s Beaches, everyone knew San Diego–born Mayim Bialik’s future was as bright as the California sun. Bette Midler herself raved to People that “sometimes I feel that she was responsible for the success of that movie,” as the then-preteen Bialik so brilliantly captured the essence of the Divine Miss M’s lead character.
Bialik has continued to impress throughout her multiple Emmy–nominated career. She played the title role in Blossom in the 1990s and later won Sheldon Cooper’s heart as neuroscientist Dr. Amy Farrah Fowler on The Big Bang Theory. (Bialik was the only true brainiac on the acclaimed Chuck Lorre comedy, having earned a Ph.D in neuroscience at UCLA in 2007. She later helmed the lectern for two seasons of Jeopardy!)
These days, the best-selling author and mom of two hosts the popular Mayim Bialik’s Breakdown podcast, where she explores mental health issues and encourages guests to get candid. In the questionnaire below, however, Bialik is the one doing all of the sharing: She dishes on everything from the wildlife she loves seeing on her trips to Malibu, her passion for California’s pickleball scene, and her top spot to grab vegan chocolate-chip pancakes.
Where do you live? I live in the beautiful valley region of Los Angeles. Basically, on the “other side” of Beverly Hills over scenic and historic Mulholland Drive.
Why there? There’s always parking, the celebrities are grungier than in the city, and there are so many sushi restaurants! Plus, I see the Hollywood Sign on my drives most days of the week and can see all the way to the ocean and downtown.
Who or what is your greatest California love? I love being close to the beach. We routinely see dolphins, sea lions, and so many varieties of birds at the beaches in Malibu. I also love that we can get to the snow in an hour when there’s snow in the mountains, and we can be in Joshua Tree surrounded by desert beauty, also within an hour.
What is the California stereotype that most holds true? We love to talk about the myriad ways to get somewhere. We’ll talk about it before we get there, we’ll talk about it when we get there, and we’ll keep talking about it after we got there. Then, when we hear someone’s going the same place at any time in the future, we will start the conversation all over again–especially if it’s a stranger.
What is your favorite Golden State splurge? Buying parking at the beach. Public beaches can be lovely, but parking is such a drag and can ruin the day.
Time for a road trip—where are you going? To northern California to see my older son at college–keeping it in the Golden State!
If you could decree an official state culinary experience, what would it be? I mean, the unbelievable Mexican food. There are so many varieties and different cuisines from all of the different regions of Mexico that we get to enjoy here.
What is your favorite way to play in California? Public pickleball courts abound!
Where would you go for the ultimate shopping spree in California?
I’m not a big shopper, but I grew up just off Melrose between Fairfax and La Brea in the 1980s and I still love that entire strip!
Best California song? The UCLA Fight Song is the best California song. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8, U…C…L…A…UCLA FIGHT-FIGHT-FIGHT. Go Bruins!
How would your California dream day unfold? Well, I’d wake up early and take a walk in my neighborhood. It’s not a fancy or pristine neighborhood, but it’s still awesome. I love the variety of trees and plants and birds of this city. Sometimes I see red-tailed hawks circling, and even though there’s cars and planes and sounds of ambulances most times of day, there’s still beauty to be found! Then I’d head to the beach—Malibu for sure. I’d stop at Erewhon for some overpriced but delicious lunch—organic and free of seed oils—sorry, but it’s a thing! Then I’d sit on a blanket at the beach and swim, read, and take a beach nap and watch the birds for the morning. I’d get Mexican food at Gracias Madre on the way home—fantastic plant-based Mexican cuisine—and play some pickleball with my kids. For dinner, I love to order in and watch a documentary or Family Feud. I’d probably choose Pizzana (their gluten-free vegan pizza and Bruxelles salad is my favorite) or plantains, steamed broccoli, a vegan Caesar salad, and a gluten-free vegan chocolate-chip pancake from Hugo’s—there’s one in Studio City and one in West Hollywood. Ice cream at Van Leeuwen with vegan and non-vegan choices will make everyone happy for dessert. And in bed by 10:30 p.m. with my cats.
