From Milan To Los Angeles: How Severino Ricci Built A Cultural Bridge Between Two Worlds

NATIONWIDE - AUGUST 2025 - (USAnews.com) — The Pacific Ocean stretched endlessly before Severino "Seve" Ricci as he stood on the Oceanside Pier, California salt air mixing with memories of Mediterranean breezes from his native Italy. In that moment, watching surfers carve through waves while tourists snapped photos of a sunset that seemed painted just for them, he realized his life had become exactly what he'd envisioned — a bridge between two worlds that shouldn't work together but somehow create magic when they meet.

Today, Severino commands an audience of over 112,000 Instagram followers, serves as Tourism Ambassador for the City of Oceanside, and sits on the board of the California Surf Museum. His platform, italy2california, has become the definitive voice for travelers seeking to experience the American Dream with an Italian touch. But the journey from Milan executive to California cultural ambassador wasn't scripted in any business plan.

"Italy and California are not just destinations, they are two worlds that inspire each other, and I have dedicated my life to building that cultural bridge," Severino reflects from his dual bases in Milan and Southern California. The statement carries weight when you consider what he's built: a digital empire that attracts thousands of monthly blog readers, a consultancy that guides travelers across continents, and institutional recognition that includes certification as a USA Specialist by Brand USA.

The story begins not with a grand vision but with curiosity. Severino spent two decades climbing corporate ladders in customer experience and marketing, mastering the art of communication and strategic thinking. Yet something pulled him toward storytelling, toward capturing the essence of places and cultures that shaped him. Italy gave him roots — the appreciation for beauty, tradition, and la dolce vita. California offered wings — innovation, endless possibility, and the freedom to reinvent oneself.

Rather than choose between them, he decided to marry them.

The creation of italy2california wasn't just launching another travel blog. Severino approached it with the precision of his executive background and the passion of someone who genuinely loves both cultures. He didn't want to be another influencer posting pretty pictures. He wanted to decode the cultural nuances, to explain why Italians queue differently than Americans, why California pizza scandalizes Romans, and how both places share an obsession with living well despite defining it differently.

His content resonated because it came from lived experience. When he writes about navigating Italian airports or finding authentic pasta in San Diego, readers trust him because he's done both countless times. When he shares insights about California surf culture or Milanese fashion, it carries the authority of someone who belongs in both worlds rather than visits them.

The turning point came when Oceanside recognized what Severino was building. The city didn't just see a travel blogger; they saw someone who could authentically represent their community to an international audience. It all began with the then Mayor Jim Wood, who introduced him to Leslee Gaul, President & CEO of VisitOceanside. Severino is deeply grateful to both for the opportunity to represent the city in Italy and worldwide. His appointment as Tourism Ambassador validated years of bridge-building.. Similarly, his position on the California Surf Museum board connected him to the cultural heartbeat of Southern California, giving him a platform to share stories that matter beyond social media metrics.

What separates Severino from the crowded field of travel influencers is his refusal to simplify or romanticize. He acknowledges the chaos of Naples while celebrating its soul. He admits California traffic is intense while explaining why the drive along Highway 1 changes lives. His books, "A Journey Through Two Worlds: Beyond Social Media" and "Point Break, ti porto in California," dive deeper than destination guides. They explore what happens when cultures collide, merge, and create something entirely new.

The professional expertise he brings from decades in customer experience shows in how he builds community. His 12,000 LinkedIn connections aren't just numbers; they represent a network of professionals who see travel as more than leisure. They understand that cultural fluency has become essential in global business, and Severino provides that education wrapped in compelling narratives.

His approach works because it's strategic without feeling calculated. Every Instagram post, blog article, and consulting session serves his larger mission: helping people travel deeper, connect meaningfully, and find inspiration in cultural exchange. He doesn't just tell people where to eat in Rome or which beach to visit in Southern California. He explains why Romans eat certain ways, how California beach culture evolved, and what these differences teach us about living well.

The timing couldn't be better. As the world reopens to travel with fresh eyes and deeper appreciation, people crave more than surface-level tourism. They want understanding, connection, and experiences that transform rather than simply entertain. Severino provides exactly that — a guide who knows both the hidden trattorias of Milan and the secret surf spots of Oceanside, who can navigate Italian bureaucracy and California freeways with equal skill.

"My mission is to inspire people to experience the American Dream with an Italian touch," he explains, and the phrase captures something essential about his work. It's not about choosing one culture over another but about finding the best of both and creating something uniquely personal.

Looking forward, Severino continues expanding his influence through new book projects, speaking engagements, and partnerships that align with his vision of cultural connection. His role with the California Surf Museum involves not just preserving history but making it relevant to international audiences who might never have considered surf culture as art. His work as Oceanside's Tourism Ambassador goes beyond promotion to storytelling that captures why this particular stretch of California coast matters.

The numbers tell one story — the followers, readers, and connections that prove his reach. But the real impact shows in the messages from readers who changed their travel plans based on his insights, the Italian entrepreneurs who successfully expanded to California using his guidance, and the American families who discovered authentic Italy beyond the tourist trail through his recommendations.

For those seeking to understand how travel can transform from consumption to connection, how cultural bridges get built in an increasingly connected yet divided world, Severino Ricci offers a masterclass. His journey from Milan boardrooms to California beaches, from corporate executive to cultural ambassador, demonstrates that the most powerful stories come from those who refuse to choose just one world when they can inhabit many. Through italy2california, he proves that home isn't necessarily where you're from or where you live — it's the space you create between worlds, the bridge you build for others to cross, and the stories you tell that make strangers feel like they belong.

Follow Severino Ricci's journey connecting Italy and California on Instagram, explore cultural stories and travel insights at italy2california.com, connect professionally on LinkedIn, and join the community on Facebook.