I'm not sure I agree that Southern California is one of the easiest places to drive. I have been visiting almost monthly for the past 7 years and it still reminds me of a Nascar race. If I'm going 75 miles per hour on the open freeway, I am usually the slowest car. Lots of lane changes and just a free for all. I end up having to drive aggressively just to stay with the flow.

I would fly between SoCal and NorCal, unless I wanted the explore the in betweens.