I think that there is an element of California (inland) that you would recognize as similar to elements of the South (mega churches, militant anti-abortion sent

I think that there is an element of California (inland) that you would recognize as similar to elements of the South (mega churches, militant anti-abortion sentiment, amazing amounts of poverty). You might just be shocked at the level of homophobia, however. When I lived in Atlanta I worked with a couple who once confided that they had enough scary experiences that they quickly told everyone they were sisters when traveling outside of Atlanta.