It takes a certain kind of bold "extreme sport" mentality to drive some of those freeways; and a vast, vast store of patience for some of them as well.
That's just par for the course; it takes a bit of that "extreme" mentality to live on top of multiple faults that are always moving whether you can feel it or not.
In much of the state, not all, public transportation is non-existent or just totally inadequate. It's a state about driving.
In addition to the redwood forests, there are also beautiful mountain ranges and incredible deserts. To stand at the lowest, hottest, driest place in North America is an experience. Joshua trees, Mojave Green Rattlesnakes, cholla, creosote...they are also CA.
As are mountain peaks, waterfalls, and the rare and incredible Sequoia, the largest living non-communal organism growing naturally only in one place in the world, and living long enough to have been mature before the birth of Christ.
California is truly a celebration of diversity. I spent 38 of my 53 years there.
My current state:
TREES. Oregon is a state of trees. Forests cover almost half of the entire land mass. Water, too, at least in the west. Rivers and lakes abound. Volanoes and volcanic monuments, and one of our nation's natural wonders: Crater Lake.
West of the Cascades, Oregon is a liberal bastion. That's fine, because that's where the bulk of the population resides.
The best city in the nation, Portland. 
And much more. Maybe someone else in this thread can finish Oregon.
Edit history
= new reply since forum marked as read
