What time of the year are you planning on visiting? So is hot and No is cold. If you opt for the beach in So Ca, make sure it's not during the rainy season -- and in the dead of summer temp can go to 110. If you're going No in the winter, bring lots of warm clothes. So many terrains here - snow (skiing etc.), ocean/beach, desert, mountains.
If you drive to Palm Springs, take the helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon.
I prefer so ca, because it's warm and you can drive or take a short flight to No. (San Fran, or Tahoe, San Diego, Santa Barbara, etc.), the desert (vegas, palm springs, etc). I'm not a fisher, mostly into beach, dining, & shopping, or if you like nightlife - being in proximity to a big city, rather than a remote secluded area.
You could rent a house on the beach or condos/timeshares. Off season is reasonable for anything - just about anywhere you go. Check out prices and time of the year. Take a drive up the 101, from the beaches in so ca to Montery or Carmel or just keep gong to San Fran. Check out all the Piers- santa Monica, Malibu, Oxnard is nice. Catalina is a good day trip.
If you like touristy things - check out the Hearst Castle or Solvang. San Francisco is awesome - but too cold for me in the winter. Visit the Napa Valley and go wine tasting. If you're in No ca, Kings Canyon is breathtaking -- as well as Yosemite. So much to do here and nearby.