Your guide to the Golden State
AuthorsPosts by Alex Schult
Alex Schult
Alex Schult is the founder of Living in California and a licensed real estate professional based in Southern California. A U.S. Army veteran, Alex has spent over 27 years building, scaling, and managing online media companies, including PhotographyTalk.com and 4wdTalk.com. His focus at Living in California is delivering honest, data-backed city guides, housing market analysis, and cost of living insights drawn from real resident experience. He hosts weekly California market updates on the Living in California YouTube channel covering home sales trends, mortgage rates, and policy changes that affect homeowners and buyers across the state.
California Property Tax Deadline April 10, 2026: Penalties, Payment Options, and Exemptions
Quick Verdict: The second installment of California property taxes is due by 5 p.m. on April 10, 2026. If you miss this deadline, a...
California Gas Prices 2026: Why They’re So High
Quick Verdict: California gas prices have surged to a statewide average of $5.82 per gallon as of March 2026, nearly $2 above the national...
Prop 13 California Explained: Property Tax Rules for 2026
Quick Verdict: Prop 13 California caps your property tax rate at 1% of the purchase price and limits annual assessment increases to 2%, regardless...
California Housing Affordability Hits 18%: What the Latest CAR Data Means for Buyers
Quick Facts
•18% of California households could afford a median-priced home in Q4 2025, up from 16% a year earlier (C.A.R.)
•The statewide median...
Best Beaches in Southern California: 10 Spots Worth Your Weekend
Quick Facts:Southern California stretches over 200 miles of coastline from Malibu to the Mexican border. Water temperatures range from 60 to 72 degrees between...
The Ultimate PCH Road Trip: San Diego to San Francisco (2026) — A Local’s Guide
I’ve driven the Pacific Coast Highway eight times since I moved to California in 1997. I still roll the windows down through Big Sur...
What It’s Actually Like Living in California: An Honest Take
I’ve lived in California since 1997. I’ve lived in Orange County, San Diego, Sacramento, and Benicia in the East Bay. I’ve paid California taxes,...
The 15 Best Beaches in California, Ranked by a Local
I've lived in California since 1997. Nearly three decades of weekends spent chasing coastline, and I still stumble onto beaches I didn't know existed....
