I've lived in LA, it's a shitty place to live.
Cali is the best state to live in (in the US) though, just not in LA. Anywhere but LA.
I've lived lots of places (CAL, TEX, NY, FLA, AZ & COL) and the worst place to live out of all those places was in LA. San Diego is much better... lived there as well.
I lived in L.A. for awhile myself. I was okay, but not my choice for a place to live in Cali. There's a lot of interesting places and people (plus just plain ol' weirdos), but definitely a place I'd rather visit than live.
Some great places to eat though.
No argument on San Diego. Love that town.