I think the California Gold Rush began in 1848 and less than two years later, California had become a state. Having missed California now for two days, I can see why it became so quickly populated. The weather, varied as it was, provided any type of escape I wanted.  I’d venture to guess I could find a place to ski in mid-August (probably within the city limits of San Francisco) and the beaches of San Diego are always warm.  Some say I’d miss the seasons of the North East.  Some would be wrong.  The incredibly high costs, high taxes, overcrowding and pollution might keep me away though. It’s a bad sign for The Golden State if New Yorkers can complain about their taxes, pollution and overcrowding.