Best and worst California county? (Los Angeles, San Diego: unemployment, earthquake, to live in)

[majoun]

Originally Posted by happ

As far as sheer beauty it means deciding on some incredible counties. El Dorado Co\ Lake Tahoe is beyond gorgeous esp in winter. Mariposa Co\ Yosemite has to be one of the most spectacular regions in the world. Where ever the redwoods grow: Del Norte\ Humboldt\ Mendocino\ Sonoma\ Marin\ San Mateo\ Santa Cruz & Monterey counties [ie. Big Sur]. Tulare & Fresno counties have Sequoia & Kings Canyon. Mt Lassen\ Shasta Co. All counties in the Sierra Nevada including Inyo\ Death Valley. Every county along the Pacific [ie. San Francisco\ San Luis Obispo\ Santa Barbara\ Ventura\ Los Angeles\ Orange\ San Diego. Taking the tram up Mt San Jacinto outside Palm Springs puts Riverside county in the “beautiful” category & Joshua Tree Pk\ San Bernardino & Anza Borrego\ Imperial county are also incredible. Frankly all the counties in California are downright beautiful in places. Hard to pick which is the most beautiful but I am partial to Monterey county

To me, the county that has the most positive aspects and fewest negative aspects - and I do not say this to put down any other counties - is Sonoma County. It still preserves somewhat of an "Old West" California feel. Those hills don't look too different from the days when Black Bart was robbing stagecoaches there. But as I said earlier, every county has its good and bad.

[vdy1985]

Monterrey and San Luis Obispo county are the best.

[Fleet]

Originally Posted by majoun

To me, the county that has the most positive aspects and fewest negative aspects - and I do not say this to put down any other counties - is Sonoma County. It still preserves somewhat of an "Old West" California feel. Those hills don't look too different from the days when Black Bart was robbing stagecoaches there. But as I said earlier, every county has its good and bad.

Good point. It is nice to see areas in which every square foot of land has not been developed.

[nmnita]

there is no way anyone can answer this type of question. Just look at the answers that have been given. The subject is subjective at best and there are too many elements to consider..Economic level, beauty, crime, demogrphics, traffic, cost of living, job market, social issues, enviourmental and so many more.

Nita

[CA central coast]

I haven't been to every county. The question is still too broad though. It's like, which is more beautiful, Monterey Co. or Mariposa Co.? Is the Monterey Co. coastline less spectacular than Yosemite? That's totally subjective. But since city-data is as much opinion as it is fact, I'll say SLO Co. is the best. Yes, I'm biased. But top to bottom. In terms of quality of life, weather, scenic beauty, crime, geographic location. This place is top of the food chain. The county is bookended by two communities that have in the past been less desirable. Those being Nipomo and San Miguel. Those places have really cleaned up in the past 10 yrs. There isn't a community in this entire county that I would say to absolutely not live in, even Shandon. Top to bottom, it's hard to beat SLO Co. In all fairness though, California Valley is a little skectchy.

No clue on the worst. But just on assumption. Imperial Co. seems like it probably sucks. But I really don't know.

[DMenscha]

I have been in every county in the state and I'd like to echo the person who selected one county as the best and the worst.

I love the county I live in, but our county government is so incredibly inept and stuck in the '80's it sometimes makes me wonder.

So, I vote Calaveras the best and the worst too!

[DMenscha]

Originally Posted by majoun

To me, the county that has the most positive aspects and fewest negative aspects - and I do not say this to put down any other counties - is Sonoma County. It still preserves somewhat of an "Old West" California feel. Those hills don't look too different from the days when Black Bart was robbing stagecoaches there. But as I said earlier, every county has its good and bad.

Black Bart ranged far and wide Black Bart California's Infamous Stage Robber but he met his match in Calaveras County, Ironically the site of his first robbery as well.
He was tried and convicted in Calaveras County. The Courtroom and jail where he was held is still open for tours.

[vdy1985]

Originally Posted by CA central coast

I haven't been to every county. The question is still too broad though. It's like, which is more beautiful, Monterey Co. or Mariposa Co.? Is the Monterey Co. coastline less spectacular than Yosemite? That's totally subjective. But since city-data is as much opinion as it is fact, I'll say SLO Co. is the best. Yes, I'm biased. But top to bottom. In terms of quality of life, weather, scenic beauty, crime, geographic location. This place is top of the food chain. The county is bookended by two communities that have in the past been less desirable. Those being Nipomo and San Miguel. Those places have really cleaned up in the past 10 yrs. There isn't a community in this entire county that I would say to absolutely not live in, even Shandon. Top to bottom, it's hard to beat SLO Co. In all fairness though, California Valley is a little skectchy.

No clue on the worst. But just on assumption. Imperial Co. seems like it probably sucks. But I really don't know.

I really hope SLO doesn't get too big. The sad thing about CA is that it has so much natural beauty, but it is killed by concrete and sprawl. LA is a concrete jungle. San Diego, is a spectacular coastal city with amazing weather, but the hill sides and everything is totally built out. Santa Barabara is losing its charm as it gets larger and becoming another LA suburb. SLO county should try to be super slow growth and maintain its identity instead of turning into another LA or SB or whatever.

[ihatemarin]

i dont know which is the best, but as far as the worst...it is definitely marin county. it sucks. the people are snoody and stuck up and downright stupid. i think i would go so far as to say that it is the worst county in all of the united states. in fact if the whole world was divided up by counties, i would probably safely say that it is the worst county in the world.dont waste your time coming to this **** hole.

[Gentoo]

This question is impossible to answer. It all depends on what criteria are used:

Best climate politically? Alameda. That is unless you are very conservative then it would be Orange.

Most beautiful county? Humboldt. I love vast coastal forest. But what if you don't? What if you love jagged snow capped mountains? Perhaps then Mono Co. Or wait... Nevada Co. Hold on, the San Gabriel Mts. fit that description so how about LA county. Wait, LA Co. shares those mountains with San Bernardino Co. so is it the best? I thought it was one of the worst?

Speaking of the worst which one would that be? IMHO, Imperial County has to be the worse. It has one of the highest unemployment rates in the state (if not the highest) and it's a very hot dry desert and I hate the desert. But what if you like the desert and you're retired so jobs aren't a huge issue to you? Could this then be the best county?

What about varied landscapes. Someone said LA county fits this. But so does San Diego County. Is it better than LA county because it has a different type of desert? Or is it worse because it's mountains are no where near what LA Co. mts are?

How does one answer such a question?