Moving to California - Best City?

[Old Surf Dog]

Originally Posted by jmooduc

A month may be stretching it, but planning a 10 day trip in late July.
I never thought much of the Sacramento area (Auburn), but it looks like a place to consider. * How cold does it get there?
How foggy/wet is the coastal regions?
I don't mind riding a bicycle in the wet but not really a wet weather motorcyclist.
thanks for all the suggestions!

The question is not how cold does it get but how hot does it get! The central valley can really bake! I'd take the coast area any day!

[Tattooed_gal]

They call Auburn the city, above the smog and below the snow. I think it got down to 32 on mornings this winter. Grass Valley saw snow but melted quickly. We call the Central Valley home base (Merced). Moved to the Central Coast and lived there 3.5 yrs. We were always cold. We would get 2 to 3 hour of warming sun and most of the time winds from the Santa Ana Mountains. Did some cool riding while there. Moved to Auburn and, Oh My God twisties all over the place and the smell of Pines and history. We haven't seen a full summer here yet but, believe it will be a bit cooler than the Central Valley but a oven compare to the Coastal Area. Picking a area to live in California is hard because no matter where you live here, you'll be able to find a good ride.

[jmooduc]

Originally Posted by Tattooed_gal

They call Auburn the city, above the smog and below the snow. I think it got down to 32 on mornings this winter. Grass Valley saw snow but melted quickly. We call the Central Valley home base (Merced). Moved to the Central Coast and lived there 3.5 yrs. We were always cold. We would get 2 to 3 hour of warming sun and most of the time winds from the Santa Ana Mountains. Did some cool riding while there. Moved to Auburn and, Oh My God twisties all over the place and the smell of Pines and history. We haven't seen a full summer here yet but, believe it will be a bit cooler than the Central Valley but a oven compare to the Coastal Area. Picking a area to live in California is hard because no matter where you live here, you'll be able to find a good ride.

Amazing that you could be so close to world class skiing and yet don't see that much snow? if any?
Do you ride all year round?

[Tattooed_gal]

Depending where you live round here. You could drive 30 mins up the road and find snow but not enough for play in. 45 mins for snow play in about, 1.5 to a ski area. Oh, I didnt mention all the rivers and lakes around here. You can get to the coast in 4 hours, Reno 1.5 hours. Oregon in under 5 hours.
Did I says Twisties Turnies I think we will get more riding time up here than on the Coast. If you like riding in the rain you'll get even more time in. With weather being crazy these days who can tell how much riding you can get in.

[ninja_o]

If I was moving I would look at the weather, location (close to water, close to hills, close to a metropolis), crime rate(yap its pretty high in many places. e.g.: Stockton is almost gone bankrupt and filing for bankruptcy.. what does that mean for the citizens??
Coastal towns are not bad and they are an hour or less in many locations from the hills. SoCal is not bad weather wise.
The main question is how much are you willing to spend etc. nicer the place higher the cost of living.

goodluck

[XcountryRider]

Easily San Diego no problem.

[rxrated]

Many more concerns than the small list ... The more complete your requirements/desires, the better the answers.. List on a scale of 1 to 10 the things important to you.. Otherwise just move to California

[tppilot]

This is like those 'what's the best motor oil?' threads........

I lived in San Diego for 12 years............awesome weather, awesome scenery, lots to do, year round road and mountain biking everywhere, lots of good motorcycling.

Then moved to Northern LA County for 13 years...........still 'good' weather, OK scenery, year round road and mountain biking everywhere, and believe it or not, simply great motorcycling roads all around.

Just moved to Calaveras County in the Western Sierra Foothills a few months ago...........dry and warm in summer, cooler in winter than I'm used to, very rural which is a big change as well, good mountain biking but the roads are a bit narrow for lots of road riding, and again, simply great motorcycling roads all around. Cheap real estate, and liberal CCW policies, too!!

Each part of the State has a distinct vibe and the cost of living varies greatly, so visit lots of places, get to know the locals and let us know where you settle so we can show you some of our favorite roads!

[RICZ]

I have often said that if someone held a gun to my head and said you gotta move to California, it would be Ventura for me. Why? Its small enough, yet big enough, has moderate year 'round weather (none of that 90+ degree stuff) and has great riding roads just spittin' distance from the middle of town. Ventura is home to Rider magazine - maybe if I move there they would....naw.

[Duck Dodgers]

Not Blythe.

Central Cal = cheap real estate and great roads within minutes. HEAT AND FOG!

Central Coast = great roads some fog forget real estate

Nor Cal = Great roads real estate ... depends

Forget everything south of the Grapevine and west of I-5. TRAFFIC

Caution if you move here bring your own guns. You also have to get 5 people to leave.

I live in Central Cali. If I could Shasta or Angels Camp.