Since retiring from basketball in 2019 and moving to Los Angeles, Dwyane Wade has applied his high-octane approach to hoops to the game of life. He divides his time between producing documentaries, hosting a TV game show, developing the Wade Cellars wine brand, and keeping tabs on multiple other business ventures. He cofounded a nonalcoholic beer company and a skincare line for babies with melanated skin. He owns a piece of the NBA’s Utah Jazz. And he’s raising five kids.
Reinventing yourself for life’s Act Two requires self-reflection, Wade says, and California has granted him a soulful landscape and much-needed quiet time. (Read more of his story in the digital version of the California Road Trips guide.) Here’s a look at a few of his Golden State favorites.
Where do you live? Hidden Hills, Los Angeles. It’s near Calabasas in the Santa Monica Mountains.
Why there? Since I retired from basketball, Los Angeles seemed like the place with the most opportunity for me and my family. We found our dream home and made the leap to move with our community, including my mother and business team, who I consider family.
Who or what is your greatest California love? I love the vibe of California. Californians prioritize their health and well-being, but they also know how to indulge and enjoy themselves.
What is the California stereotype that most holds true? Every California stereotype is true in certain communities, but definitely not everywhere. You can find communities with a hippie vibe, communities where people are getting nose jobs, communities filled with older guys driving convertibles—all the stereotypes you see in movies, there are people who are living it in the flesh. But none of that holds true across the state.
What is the biggest misperception about Californians? Before I came to California, I thought it was all about Hollywood. There’s definitely a culture that’s centered around that, but there’s much more depth to the state.
What is your favorite Golden State splurge? Wine, definitely. I’ll splurge while visiting wineries in Napa, Sonoma, or Santa Barbara, and going out to dinner with family, friends, or colleagues.
Time for a road trip—where are you going? Since moving to California, I have fallen in love with taking long drives throughout the state, especially exploring central and southern California. My friends and I will pack up our clubs to golf at Pebble Beach or pile in the car to wine taste in Paso Robles. I love having a beach day at Rosewood Miramar Beach in Santa Barbara.
If you could decree an official state culinary experience, what would it be? Californians eat a lot of avocado toast. That’s stereotypical, but there’s definitely some truth in it. Californians also love Mexican food—they love a good margarita; they love tortilla chips and guacamole.
Best California song? I don’t have a specific song, but there’s music that has a definite California vibe. It’s a driving-through-the-canyon vibe. The music pushes you to bob your head a little bit, and you feel your mind start to clear. I feel it when I listen to Snoop Dogg or Bootsy Collins.
How would your California dream day unfold? My California dream day would involve packing up my car, turning on some tunes, and driving the mountainous canyon roads to my favorite golf course. After 18 holes, I’d order a burger, enjoy a glass of wine, and spend the evening with my family. That’s the dream.