" This is the only time in my life that I wish I was in California "
I'm a CT Yank , but have often fantasized about living in Southern Cal in the " golden days " which to me were the late 50's to late 60's : surf , hot rods , sunshine , Beach Boys , babes ...American Graffiti ...
All that is still here, your fantasies are quite justified. LOL.
My neighbor just built one mean 1931 Model A Ford Coupe. You see the big difference now is most that drive and build these are grown adults with bucks, instead of teenagers and they are driven to places that appreciate them, where entire businesses and restaurants have turned themselves into the 50s and 60s themes with very expensive, old memorabilia. It's really cool.
Instead of calling the cops in days gone by, restaurants and other businesses actually have 50s nights every month and attracted big custom car shows right in their parking lots.
Speaking of hot rods and babes, the nations *largest* classic car show is held right here in Southern California, "Kicks on Route 66". It's actually 4 days long that takes up almost a 45 block area. You have never seen so many muscle and classic cars in your life. I know I haven't, and I was born and raised here through the 50s and 60s. And another difference with todays rods are they are much nicer than they were in the 60s, when they were generally owned by young kids.
Cheers!
Red