It was a wonderful place when I lived there as a child, circa 1960-74.
My Uncle lived there 1945 to 1979. Said that it was wonderful.
He then moved to the Florida Keys.
Compared to the California of today, those were some pretty golden years. I say that as someone who was born there in 1953, and who only left for good in 2005.
To listen to the elders in my family, the 1930s to the 1950s were even more golden, but those times are like a dream that never even happened. I don't know if my California will ever be resurrected.
At least I got to experience it while it lasted. I'll die in peace one day, and my kids will spread my ashes on the plains of Texas.