I am a California native too. Living in northern California, we have the ocean, forests, San Francisco Bay Area and Reno/Tahoe only 1-1/2 hour drive. Gotta love it.
Unfortunately, I am not going to make it to AC this year, but went twice last year, so I have had my fix for awhile. But. . .I'll be back. Going to Jamaica with my brother instead. Ja mon.