I used to live in Lancaster - loved it. Not too close to LA but close enough if you wanted to go do something. Skiing an hour away, lakes an hour away, Vegas 3.5 hours away.
But yes it got a little hot.
Just depends on what you like.
No offense intended. In fact, I understand the Oakland hills are quite nice. I was just listing places I would not want to live. Orange County has some gorgeous places, and it is a pretty affluent area. Same goes for Simi Valley. I’m sure plenty of people love living there. Those areas just aren’t my cup o’ tea.
Some information about the OP would be really helpful to try to narrow down the choices. There’s a hell of a lot of difference between places like Camarillo and San Francisco. They’re both great places for different reasons depending on who you are and what you’re looking for.
The only place arround Silcon Valley to really avoid is East Palo Alto. That said, much of Silicon Valley is dull, and any non dull bits are expensive. But travel into San Francisco is easy. ( Note Palo Alto and East Palo Alto are opposites on the desireability and cost scales )
Bearflag70 just interested, but what is the problem with Upper Haight region of San Francsico? (or did you mean Lower Haight which seems much more run down to me than Upper Haight).
Cheers, Bippy
When I was visiting San Francisco, I asked a friend where I should go and what I should avoid.
She said to avoid the Tenderloin and Upper Haight. She said Lower Haight is ok and pretty safe. I agree. She went on to say that Upper Haight is full of “gangbangers and frat boys.” I thought that was an unusual combo, but I trusted her. If she is wrong, then I withdraw it.
Ripon and Modesto, in the central valley. Harsh climate, unfriendly and creepy people.
I think the Haight-Ashbury is OK. Lots of homeless and drugs, but hey, the homeless are all over San Francisco, and as for the drugs, it’s Haight-Ashbury. Haight between Fillmore and Market is seedy.
The Tenderloin would be a spot to avoid, as would Market between City Center and Van Ness, roughly. And if you find yourself in San Francisco and you see a sign directing you to Candlestick Park, run! The area around Pac Bell Park is a little seedy, but that’s disappearing quickly. Should be a nice area from Market to the Bay in a matter of a year or two.
Truthfully, San Francisco is a tiny little City, and it’s much too easy to wander into the wrong neighborhood. I’d only be honestly worried if I found myself around 3rd Street / Bayview / Hunter’s Point/ Candlestick at night. Anywhere else, you can basically walk four blocks and be in a completely different neighborhood.
In Oakland, I’d avoid Fruitvale / International Blvd. Been there myself (and I’m as white-bread as you can get) and was OK, but that’s where there were riots after the Superbowl.
Riverside is too hot and smells like cattle.
Marin gives me a weird vibe. We let them think they’re better than the City that put them on the map, just so they stay up there and don’t bother us. 
I grew up slightly outside of the scope of the question, north of San Francisco, in Sonoma County. I’d recommend it - it’s a very nice, scenic area. I also went to college in Santa Cruz, which is beautiful, but drove me kind of crazy. I’m a crazy vegetarian Green Party member, but even I couldn’t quite measure up to the goofy politics of Santa Cruz. I like to think it’s because I live in the real world.
Be forwarned, the entire region in question is very expensive.
I grew up in north Orange County (Buena Park, w00+) and have regretted moving ever since. If it were feasible for me to move back, I would.
The only places I would avoid like the plague are certain neighborhoods in Stanton or Santa Ana, and even they are not too bad compared with Compton, South Central, parts of Long Beach, etc.
IMHO, southern California from San Diego to Santa Barbara is the greatest place to live in the country. I miss it 
If you don’t mind living in the backend of nowhere, the east half of San Diego county is pretty nice. You could go from low desert to high desert to pine mountains depending on your preference.
But still better than Stockton 
Seriously, the Central Valley has worse weather, is very agricultural and flat, and there’s not much to do here. But, it is less expensive.
I grew up in Ventura County (Thousand Oaks, to be specific). It’s a nice town for having kids and stuff, but it got boring once I was older (although it is not a far drive into LA, which offers much more to do). I also went to college in Santa Cruz…I have a love/hate relationship with Santa Cruz. Los Angeles (despite what eveeryone says) is okay, if you don’t mind driving a lot. There’s a lot to do. I also like San Francisco too (except for the fact that everyone there whines on and on about how much they hate LA). I would stay on the coastal side of the state…but that’s me. It really depends on what you want to do in California. It’s really expensive and crowded just about every where that’s nice in this state.
Well, I admit, I don’t get out much, so my knowledge of the area is pretty limited. But Rancho through San Dimas is what I’m the most familiar with, and it’s a great place to live. Granted, if I had to choose between Upland, Antioch, and the snowy mountains of Utah, I’ll take Upland every time, so I don’t know if that’s saying much.
Or maybe I’m just really confused ad the cities I named aren’t part of the Inland Empire at all…like I said, I don’t get out much.
I’m currently growing up in the Santa Clara County, in Mountain View, and I agree that it’s rather dull around Silicon Valley. As stated above, the schools around this area are very good. The weather around here is decent, though the summer may get real hot (upper 90s). Other than that, it’s usually a beautiful day - sunny, mid 70s.
And if you do move in around the Bay Area, be prepared to pay exorbitant prices for gas.
Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.
Expect exorbitant prices for everything in the Bay Area.
Wear sunscreen. If I could offer you only one tip for the
future, sunscreen would be it.
Orange county is a wonderful place. LA county has a lot of cool spots. Ventura county, especailly near the beach, is very nice.
You want to avoid being to far inland. Stay near the coastline. Inland is either desert or farm counrty.
2 things.
1- If you can swing it, you may want to try Sac. We’re big enough to have good shopping and some culture, and close enough to the Bay area so that if you’re a snob, you can sniff at Sacramento and drive for 2 hours to buy the same things for more money.
2- I’d just like to draw everyones attention to the fact that I’ve resurected my Sac Dopefest thread in MPSIMS. Even though I suck. Check it out.
Plus, rubber bullets!
At least it has a basketball court.