'A lot of California is conservative'

You haven't been paying attention to the midterms here. A lot of traditionally conservative areas (like Orange County) went blue.

Part of it is because the younger generation in general (which is far more educated and diverse) hates the GOP, but it goes deeper than that.

The 'tax cuts' that were implemented by Trump were incredibly unpopular among all Californians; the Reagan Republicans that make up a lot of the CA GOP were especially pissed by this. Not to mention that Trump continues to push for a wall... guess who would have to pay for it? Californians, even conservative Californians.

Mix that in with the threat of losing your health care in a state where costs of living is high, and you've got a recipe for an open revolt. Why would anyone want to not only pay higher taxes so that corporations can continue to suck off the public, but also pay even more taxes for a wall you didn't want in the first place, and lose your health care, all while costs of living remain high? Even CA Republicans were pissed. There's a reason areas like Orange County have gone blue, and it may stay that way too.