Weather in Southern California: not paradise (Anaheim, Huntington Beach: quality of life, air, smog)

[woodrough]

Having lived in both Seattle and Southern California, it's really no contest for me. I'll never live in Seattle again. But to each his own. It's nice to visit from about July 15th through the end of August.

[NoNansea]

Of course it's colder in Seattle! My point was it's not sunny and hot or even warm at the beach year round in southern California as many from out of state are led to believe. In Seattle one expects it to be cold and thereby plans for it.

Not sure what you're referring to about the mountains. I don't think I said anything regarding that.

And yes, living in an area that is "bone dry for over half of a typical year" is not beneficial. It also isn't pretty or clean.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by NoNansea

Of course it's colder in Seattle! My point was it's not sunny and hot or even warm at the beach year round in southern California as many from out of state are led to believe.

It may not be tropical, but to someone visiting from Chicago or New York in January, 65 and sunny in Huntington Beach certainly is warm.

[Fontucky]

Originally Posted by NoNansea

It is only warm in southern California about two months out of the year.

**SNORT** When did the inland valleys and the deserts stop being a part of Southern Calif?

[portlanderinOC]

I'm with the OP on this one, I honestly can't stand the static weather we have here. I want to have snow, thunderstorms, and more rain. People here complain when it gets below 65 and above 85. Oh boohoo. The temperature changing 10 degrees up or down is considered "unpredictable" despite how it happens all the time. Yes it's a little weird how it can get really hot in January or cold rainstorms like we had in April, but it's not that bad. Everyone here who complains about how terrible they have it here should go live in the Midwest for a year and then come back.
My mum happens to be one of these people. I can't stand seeing her wearing a jacket when it's only 70. Being from Oregon, 70 is warm, that's shorts and tank top weather. Yeah Oregon's weather is mostly rainy and not rainy, there's not much seasonal variety there either, but at least it gets cold enough to have a somewhat normal winter, and at least there's autumn colours and spring blossoms (California has the latter, but it's as if they're blooming at the strangest times of the year).
Don't even get me started on the haze, at least it's better than it was 20 or really even 10 years ago.
Yes, I miss rain, people act like it's such a bad thing to like cold weather. Southern California has a very holiday like climate for me. When it's warm and sunny, my mind goes into lazy mode, it becomes hard for me to work and get out of holiday mode. I have a friend from Indiana who agrees with me on this. She loves it here, but says she can't live without 4 distinct seasons, and I can't blame her.

[NoNansea]

"Are you serious , dude if a yearly average high of 75 degrees to a yearly average low of 60 degrees is not hot enough for you, you have some problems, you should come out to OC or LA these next weeks, and see our average 80 degree days and night averages of 70 to 65 degrees."

I guess you missed the part where I stated that I lived in Orange County for well over 50 years. Weather alone does not equate to paradise. I also mentioned that the orange groves are gone as well as the lemon groves. No more fragrant lemon blooms in the spring. No more fresh, local oranges. Holidays are a hassle because traffic and crowds make it nearly impossible to get anywhere. But plenty of concrete, traffic, crowds and pollution. California has lost it's charm for me. Guess you had to live there then in order to understand now.

[GregHenry]

Originally Posted by NoNansea

I guess you missed the part where I stated that I lived in Orange County for well over 50 years. Weather alone does not equate to paradise. I also mentioned that the orange groves are gone as well as the lemon groves. No more fragrant lemon blooms in the spring. No more fresh, local oranges. Holidays are a hassle because traffic and crowds make it nearly impossible to get anywhere. But plenty of concrete, traffic, crowds and pollution. California has lost it's charm for me. Guess you had to live there then in order to understand now.

California's peak was probably around 1955.

[leonard]

Originally Posted by GregHenry

California's peak was probably around 1955.

I would say 1965. Grew up in OC and graduated in 64, so familiar with both decades.

[JSies11]

Yes, there is no such thing as perfect. However, OC, especially the coastal areas, has, IMO, the best weather in the world. If the weather was so terrible here, you tell me why the area is so popular and expensive. Sure, if you like a constant change of weather all of the time, CA is terrible. But the fact is, most people prefer a mild climate where you don't have to worry about shoveling show, frying after being outside for 5 minutes, and stressing over what to wear every day.

[Marv101]

LA indeed does have four seasons, but the range in average high & low temperatures is quite small compared to most of the rest of the country.

70 degrees for the Rose Bowl game isn't that hard to take, is it?

We only receive around 15" of rain per year, as opposed to 38 inches for Seattle, and a whopping 64" for a really soggy city such as Pensacola, FL.