I lived in California for a year, 1967-68, on special assignment from my school district (curriculum development) and it was a wonderful experience. Traveled as much as time and funds allowed!
On a later trip we approached California from the north. At the border we were stopped and the border patrol confiscated the apples we bought in Washington. California had suffered from an infestation and were losing a lot of crops. This was a precaution, but we were upset about missing those good Washington apples!
Have no desire to live in California even tho I have relatives that live there. Too many taxes and laws are ridiculous! They are not, made for the common people. I'll take my Florida any day!