I lived in California from 1976(when it was still Reagan Country) until 2006. I lived in Malibu, with an ocean view for the last 20. I saw California go from paradise to a third world hell hole. The minute I got on I 10 in Santa Monica, I was in Mexico. Damned sad to watch. I got to the point I couldn’t bear to watch it disintegrate any longer.
I still go over there a couple of times a year. The countryside is still breathtaking, but you are right, the cities have that worn dirty look to them, and the once beautiful, perfectly maintained highways look shabby and run down. Ah for the days of Reagan and The Duke.