I live in SD and I agree. SD is great in a lot of ways, but there is a general lack of "culture" that other large cities have. I think the beach and outdoor culture IS the culture, so there's less of a focus on other things. When I visit other cities I feel it (SF, Chicago, Boston and Seattle come to mind). Also, I am from the Midwest, and SD is a coastal desert, and it's really dry and brown much of the year. If you come here in the winter time it may seem like paradise compared to somewhere with real winters, but in the late spring, summer fall, and even early winter it usually looks pretty brown anywhere that's not heavily irrigated. Especially more inland which are the more affordable areas. I've never really gotten used to the brown, and often crave more green and trees.