Hey, Cookie.
Cali has changed! I was born and raised here and even finding a native is rare these days. People flock here from all over the US chasing the weather or the tech industry.

Since it's more populated travelling anywhere can get hectic, even around rush hour. The cost of living is high, traffic is murder, buying a house mad bank. In my neighborhood the median is like $ 550,00.00!
And that's for a small modest two bedroom! Yipes.

Cali is beautiful and there is a lovely and radiant diversity of people here. But I'm thinking myself time to bounce soon. Get out the US for awhile and give it a go somewhere else. You can always come home again; perhaps changed, but roots don't wither.

bless bliss up!