the central coast...that's where it's at- it's just at the southern end of the redwoods; but far enough south of "the grey line"(anything north of mendo'), so september/october rains and fog are not an issue(budrot). actually, september and october are 'summertime' here. it's also not as bone dry as socal (or as fake)...you see: people in socal tend to be more plastic,while norcal has the serious hippie grunge action. insanity cruz has a little of both, plus representatives of every completely wacked out twisted belief system in existence...it's an interstellar spaceport. up here in the mts. you're no longer in the people's republic of santa cruz. you're also not in the silicon(hellhole)valley. it's low(3000' and less), but ridiculously steep in most places. lots of pine and redwoods; and the world's supply of scotch broom! we have big cats on the property...one reason the deer hang close to me. somew spots never see light under 100+' redwoods. this range was jerry's inspiration for "dark hollow" I'm sure! he lost his finger cuttin' firewood here. neil young, and john fogerty live up here. this would be paradise if there weren't so many people living here!