Back when I was peak-flying, AA had a hub in SJC so they were usually the best option, even had non-stops to Japan. AA also had decent intra-California routes through the Air Cal and Reno Air acquisitions (briefly, before they killed them off). Even afterwards, they had good flights to NYC when one of my children was going to college there, and status gave me free checked bags and the occasional transcon upgrade.
Now, I may look at AA as my first option strictly due to lifetime PLT status, but have become increasingly agnostic. Generally AS/DL/B6/UA/etc. have more flights and better schedules, and are also usually less expensive so often get my paid travel instead of AA.