When California had two Republican US Senators (although Tom Kuchel was what what we now call a RINO) and, during the later years, a Republican governor and a GOP-controlled State Assembly. San Francisco also had a Republican governor in the early part of the decade, and LA's Democrat mayor was more conservative than most Republicans. Despite the heavy smog, which has long since disappeared, California had the world's hottest economy, and I couldn't imagine wanting to live anywhere else.
I loved the place during those times. Now California’s attraction to me is limited. To many people and it’s sad to see the decline.