I’d say being a child in the 60s and early 70s in a Southern California beach town beats that.
Uncrowded, 100% safe, fun, perfect weather — we kids were allowed to run free from sunrise to sunset, play in the local parks, explore the local canyons, play in the surf, build bonfires on beaches — set off fireworks on the 4th of July. Truly Wonderful!!
Now? Come to Southern California and see for yourself!! Local beaches regularly receive grades of F and F - for the quality of the water. Homes have expensive security and surveillance systems. Local parks have been taken over by gangs or large Mexican families blasting ranchero music, fireworks are illegal almost everywhere. No one dares to take their eyes off their precious children for even one nano-second here. Doors are locked, people are suspicious. Decades of unfettered illegal immigration have ruined this state.
And taxes! Don’t get me started.
This is what leftist maniacs have done to my home state.
I lived in Orange in 78-79. Cali was tanking already, but even then it was still a great time. Height of skateboarding’s golden era. “The Big O” skatepark was heaven ;)
Was back for a couple months (Riverside) in 2001. It didn’t take long to leave.