I spent about 8 years living in Southern California where I met my wife who was born and raised in LA. We still have family there and are able to get back on a “regular” basis.
Each time I go, I try to spend some time taking in the amazing natural beauty that California has to offer.
Within just a couple hours of LA, you have beaches, mountains, deserts and more. It really is a landscape photographers paradise - minus all the people!