Where are the warmest, friendliest places in California?

I'm gonna be living in California for a few years. I want to go somewhere that'll feel like home (Australia) so I'm hoping for summer temps around 25-35C(77-95F) and winter temps at least 15C(59F) but preferably warmer. Does this kind of climate exist in California? It's fine if it sometimes gets hotter than that, up to about 45C(113F) and lots of rain is good but not essential. And where are the people nice? In a progressive, casual sort of way? I want to live somewhere that isn't all racist and homophobic and has a good mix of people. I'd like to be within an hour of a big city, but don't mind small towns or semi-rural as long as they don't fall into the racist and homophobic category. I'm looking at San Diego at the moment coz I've heard it's very tolerant, multicultural, has good weather and fairly low crime rates. Is that a good place to live?

Public Comments

1. If that's what you consider nice, you'll love all of California.
2. Well, you're spot on already with your comments on San Diego. Can be a challenge to find affordable living, but this is indeed a beautiful and unique city. Some day, try the Russian River area. You can find nooks there that are lovely. See the link below. Good luck.
3. I would say that San Diego or Pismo Beach would be your best bests. Pismo is a small beach town with mild weather located on the Central Coast. San Diego is a large city with all the cultural benefits of a city (museums, theater, music, professional sports, etc.). Even though San Diego is a large city it is clean and spread out into smaller communities that make it seem not so large. The weather is mild along the coast and warmer the further east you go for the beach. For info on things to do in San Diego go to: http://www.sandiego-romantics.com
4. I live it San Diego and love it. If you're looking for a liberal progressive type scene I would try checking out the beach areas. Pacific Beach, Mission Beach and Ocean beach are all really young laid back ride your bike everywhere, shop at thrift stores, get drunk and walk home from the bar, watch the sunset on the water every day kind of places. I live in PB right now and am having the time of my life. Love it.