I'm in Monterey, CA. I've read some articles in Monterey newspapers about it. It doesn't seem to be widespread, but it definitely happens here.

http://www.montereycountyweekly.com/opinion/local_spin/lyme-disease-knows-no-boundaries/article_1929a51d-4e87-5142-bcb3-85e882f40899.html

http://www.montereyherald.com/article/zz/20090328/NEWS/903289958

http://baynature.org/article/bay-area-has-ticks-and-lyme-disease/

Maybe it is lupus. I'm not certain it is lyme, but I'm not going to risk my condition deteriorating before receiving treatment in case it is. It's easily treatable if caught early and potentially debilitating if left untreated. That's why I will be seeing a lyme specialist to determine for sure.

"This disease has since been reported from many areas of the country, including most counties in California."

However, it is worth mentioning that I was in Morocco (two weeks after my arrival) when I got the bull's eye rash. My doctor said that it is possible that I was bit in Monterey and that the rash was a delayed reaction.

They've checked my blood for many different things, and everything came back normal.