Good point; in the UK we don't really have the same kind of set up so much probably because of the difference in scale. Looking more closely at g-maps, I was surprised just how many little airports there are along the towns that Hwy1 passes through/near.

On the weather - is there some line where LA's balmy always-sunny weather switches to SF's climate, or is it a gradual thing? I know the mountain ranges are a big factor in the weather so it seemed like maybe it's quite a sudden change as you cross some geographical feature. I think the sun would be nice

San Fransisco is on the ocean side of the mountains, the weather isn't a whole lot different then LA. It is on average a bit cooler but the summer is plenty hot enough with little rain. Further up the coast in to Oregon you start getting that Pacific Northwest climate where its quite a bit cooler and rains a lot. Its a gradual change up the coast as its more to do with ocean currents then anything geological.

I've only been to LA for conventions or business meetings so I haven't had a lot of time to really explore the city but it always seems so fake. Like was said, everybody is a movie writer just working as a waiter while their script is being reviewed by a big studio. SF was the mecca of the hippie culture in the 60's and a lot of the vibe is still around and it seems a lot more relaxed place.

As for connecting flights, when I go home it costs $50 one way to get a connecting flight from St Louis to a local regional airport.

I cant believe I missed this thread.

Do you have any friends in LA or SF? Because it matters. Any city will instantly feels better if you have friends to hangout with.

What do you like to see or do? LA is the capital city for food and entertainment. If thats what you want, LA beats SF. Did I mention its only 3 hours away from Las Vegas?

I dont know much about SF other than its horrible traffic. One way streets + traffic + hills arent a good combination. SF is better for tech stuff because its close to San Jose/Silicon Valley. The aura there just "feels" different. It feels your IQ raises by 10 points just by being there. There are reasons why most tech startup are there. Berkeley and Stanford add the whole educated city feels.

ugh, Vegas. Been twice, that's enough. Nevada I quite liked to pass through but I wouldn't want to live in the desert. Not in the US anyway.

Well an update is in order - we had to restrict it to 1 month due to my wife's work commitments but we are now here living in Oakland, California; we sub-leased a pretty nice apartment with a view over the lake.

Many GD'ers in this part of the world?