I’ve been to California three times. It’s a beautiful state, like you said. The last time, I got lost in San Francisco. Back then, in 2014, it was still a somewhat lovely city to get lost in. So I was basically driving around, admiring the old Victorian houses and parks while trying to find my way back to US 101 so I could get to the Golden Gate Bridge.
Unfortunately, the politicians are turning it into a dump. So if you and your family can tolerate soupy humidity in the summertime, come to Florida, where it’s NOT a dump.
We visited FL this past Feb for a week and LOVED it. Siesta Key near Sarasota. I loved your amazing crabs, “rum runners” and white sand beaches. I actually don’t mind humidity (I grew up in Houston and went to grad school in DC).
Congrats on a well run state unlike CA. FL and other states have their own beauty but CA does have a special kind of beauty that I appreciate more daily (as long as it isn’t burning up with choking smoke as it does every fall now).