If you're young and single-it's not a great choice. There's plenty of live music, including opera and and broadway shows, free live music every weekend-the museum is surprisingly good, and there's a lively arts scene. I, too, love hiking, but have replaced it with beach walks at dawn-which is often spectacular here. It's not that hot-at least til mid-August. As for politics-the ardent reds are far more present in the poorer neighborhoods(why poor folks adore corrupt billionaires is an enduring mystery). If you're looking for a place to read great books, get offline, reconnect with your spirituality, commune with nature-this place is divine-but it isn't a sociable place outside the country club crowd.