As a born-and-bred child of the North-East, I was often told fables of the perfect 72 degrees of the Southern California. And I'd hate to be the one to shatter this illusion; but after a summer in California, I can tell you, it gets hot... and if the autumnal equinox is any indication, it gets cold too. Now, to be fair, the range that I have been living in is much less extreme than that of New Hampshire or Maryland. Some may argue that 58 degrees is nothing to shiver at and I should be grateful that the temperature in Santa Monica doesn't break 85 degrees, even in a heat wave. But, what I can tell you is that it's all relative. 
The human body is one of the most amazing things on the planet. It's ability to adapt to changing climates is, without a doubt, one of its greatest attributes. But what if you subject a human body to a near perfect climate for a majority of the year? Well then: you get a body that may be more sensitive to fluctuations from the norm. So, when a Californian experiences a 58 degree day, it may carry the same feeling that a New Englander feels at 38 degrees. The sun here may be on the same latitude as Georgia, but the currents hail from Alaska. And that means colder breezes over the Pacific. And if you take the warm sun away, you are left with temperatures that plunge soon after sunset. I was very happy that I brought my layers with me when I moved westward. Wool to boot. 
Autumn is here and (sigh) Winter is coming. And with that West Coasters will begin planning fall camping trips to the National Forests above the Central Valley, the deserts east of the San Gabriel Mountains, and the rugged edifices jutting along the coast from Big Sur to Santa Barbara. Be sure to consult your local sheep herder and plan accordingly.
The human body is one of the most amazing things on the planet. It's ability to adapt to changing climates is, without a doubt, one of its greatest attributes. But what if you subject a human body to a near perfect climate for a majority of the year? Well then: you get a body that may be more sensitive to fluctuations from the norm. So, when a Californian experiences a 58 degree day, it may carry the same feeling that a New Englander feels at 38 degrees. The sun here may be on the same latitude as Georgia, but the currents hail from Alaska. And that means colder breezes over the Pacific. And if you take the warm sun away, you are left with temperatures that plunge soon after sunset. I was very happy that I brought my layers with me when I moved westward. Wool to boot. Autumn is here and (sigh) Winter is coming. And with that West Coasters will begin planning fall camping trips to the National Forests above the Central Valley, the deserts east of the San Gabriel Mountains, and the rugged edifices jutting along the coast from Big Sur to Santa Barbara. Be sure to consult your local sheep herder and plan accordingly.