Howdy,
I'd appreciate advice and information on living in California. I know I could probably find lots of information on the subject elsewhere, but I'd appreciate hearing from other aviators who live, or have lived in the Golden State. Thanks in advance for goin' easy.
It's going to be a rather strange change from Juneau to San Francisco, but I'm looking forward to it for a seasonal gig, at the very least.
The upcoming seasonal float flying stuff in Southeast AK might be facing a pretty crummy summer due to the economy's troubles, and this looks like it may be a good deal and a chance to see a different, sunny place.
My parents lived in Palo Alto in the mid 60's, but I know it's changed since then. They really loved their time there. Still have pictures of my Mom looking good by a redwood.
I did go to San Francisco in October for an interview, and was really like totally awed by the beauty of the Bay Area. Any recommendations on things to do and see around there?

I'm specifically wondering about your experiences in the state, good and bad, any big differences in taxes (there's state income tax, right?), and fun interesting stuff to do around the state as I'm looking forward to exploring it as much as I can.

I've also got a Piper Cub that I was thinking of bringing down from Juneau, and was wondering if there's some kind of personal property tax or state usage fees for GA there. Looking at basing her in Healdsburg.

I appreciate your time and consideration in this matter, dudes and dude-esses.

Thanks!

Bring lots of cash......the California politicians need it.

Check out North Beach...BART to Montgomery St. Station, then walk up Montgomery to Columbus (at the trans-america building). Head up columbus...plenty of bars, coffee shops and restaurants (mostly Italian). If the Italian doesn't look good, chinatown is one block up.

You will get taxed up the butt...the latest one is Universal Healthcare, which will be added on to your tab at restaurants (and bars?).

Thanks for the responses.
No can do on the lots of money part. That's why I'm gonna try it out in the first place. Way behind from last season.
I will try out that scouting route too RICKAIR, thank you. Sounds awesome.

Yeah, and sales tax and pretty much any other kind of tax you can imagine. If anyone wants to figure out if extreme leftist policies actually work you have to look no further than CA. They've been trying it for decades. It is a bankrupt microcosm dealing with incredible budget deficits that should be learned from... Where are Nancy Pelosi and Barbara Boxer from again?

Thanks Eck,
Have they got a tax that supports underemployed floatplane pilots?
Also, where can I get my free cheese?
And I'm wondering about medicinal marijuana for my back pain when I retire.
Thanks Dude!

One of the bay area communities actually has a law on the books that prohibits businesses from having too much cash on hand because it encourages robberies and ,in some places, it's illegal to smoke in your own car!

Thanks for the responses.
Any info on personal property taxes on small GA planes?
I'm debating whether or not I can afford to have the old Cub I've got down there while I'm working. Have a friend who will look after her in Juneau for the season otherwise. Would be cool to do some exploring there, but not sure I can justify the fuel cost to get there, and a state fee would probably make it too costly. Guessing it would apply whether I became a legal state resident or not? (I'm guessing CA probably does have some sort of tax like this, anyway)

They don't call it the People's Republic of California for no reason.

Be sure to leave behind any guns that have a capacity of more than 10 rounds or can accept more than 10 round mags, collapsing stocks, muzzle devices, etc...

Thanks Ryan,
I had a Rock River M-4 clone, but I sold it a while ago because of lack of funds. Hassle to get through Canada with many kinds of firearms too.