>>1636864A lot will depend on your job and amenity needs. Most of the parts of California that are in snowy mountains are poor logging towns and shit.
Sacramento is probably the best compromise of amenities/economy and mountains, since you're near the Tahoe area, and it's pretty quick to drive to other /out/ areas due to your central valley location. Redding or Ukiah might work too if you want a smaller town.
Everyone knows about the Sierras but don't underestimate the /out/ potential of the northern coast range.
Living in the Bay Area is harder all of this, since you need to fight traffic to get anywhere.
