Well I'm from NJ to start with, mp, and even though I always attribute my moving back East to temporary insanity, I rarely regret the decision. Please take no offense, but when the big earthquake comes, it will provide a boon to the rest of the country by claiming southern CA as the new Atlantis (from Santa Barbara south!)
I would consider moving back to northern Cali, if and when the state gets its act together fiscally... what a beautiful slice of Americana.
As for the comparitive riding experience, well you do have us with regard to the extent of the season due to the climatic differences, but IMO, we have it all over southern Cali for scenery, diversity of roadways, accessibility and ease of use of our roads (they are inordinately less crowded), food, historical and cultural points of interest, etc.. that's not to say that riding here is better, riding is riding, but on a subjective level, I enjoy riding here much more than I ever enjoyed riding out there, except in the north country.
Beaches... well surely you've heard of the Jersey shore!?
I was raised in a family fortunate enough to have a beach house for 42 years in Harvey Cedars on Long Beach Island, a formerly pristine 17 mile long barrier island between Asbury Park and Atlantic City. That was a real privalege! In addition to living on Juanita and Beryl Streets in Redondo, I also had a place for awhile right on the Strand in Hermosa. Better girl watching out there, for sure, but better, though smaller, beaches, nicer swimming and less sharks out here. Too many Great Whites in the trenches off PV, but a magnificent spot (Malaga Cove for instance) to enjoy the "submarine races' right around sunset.
