It's too bad Cali has turned into a clownshow the last few decades because that is one beautiful state. I have really enjoyed my time spent visiting the state. I particularly like the central coast (spent a bit of time in San Luis Obispo) and (suprisingly enough) the Sacramento area. But listening to my brother who lives in Burbank, I'd never consider living there. Don't know why he doesn't move back to the SE.
I'll say this about about USC's part of the world though. L.A. > NYC, Chicago, or San Fran.