California is the most over-rated place to live in the US, right behind Florida. I would much rather live in Tennessee or in the rocky mountains in Colorado. To me, California is way too liberal, overcrowded, and over priced. Any place that does not snow isn't my taste, I think snow is fun and when it's not all stomped on by little kids it's also very pretty. I like having seasons, I like to go swimming in the summer, and go snowboard in the winter (not much snow where I live to snowboard but it wouldn't take long to get to a place that does).
As far as less natural disasters? lol
Earthquakes, rock slides, mud slides and don't forget the massive wild fires. Any time where my house might fall down a cliff sounds like a natural disaster to me.
This got off topic big time lol.
EDIT:
Best Places to Live 2006 - Money Magazine
I guess they didn't include "making your dreams come true" as one of the aspects for the contestants. lol
I will say San Diego is a wonderful city and would be a nice place to live, especially compared to the rest of CA. Except it is also one of the most expensive.