Yes, indeed. We live about 30 miles inland from the coast, and about an hour away from the mountains. Right now, my wife and I are sunning poolside in Palm Springs, just 85 miles from home. From our hotel room, we can walk to a wide variety of attractions, from mountain hiking, to art exhibits, and any number of good restaurants, as well as a couple breweries. As much as we like it here, we are seriously considering moving to Eugene, Oregon for a slower pace of life.Well, California might have its drawbacks, but it is a great place to live.