What is life in California really like? ?

It's a huge state.  Think the Carolina's to the tip of Florida or to Boston.  So to group the entire state together just isn't reasonable.  

It does have snow.  In fact, it hosted the winter olympics in 1960.  Asking if a place is strange to not have snow is odd.  Most of the world would ask what it's like to live in a place that does have snow.  

Most areas, especially larger cities and surrounding places, are expensive compared to other parts of the country.  Wages are higher in general, but that doesn't offset the high taxes and housing.  If you have good skills, you can do alright.  2 incomes in the house is often what helps.  If you don't have desired skills, then you're competing at the bottom of the pay scales.  Those lower pay scales is what really is difficult compared to other cheaper areas.

What is best is a matter of opinion.  For me, the cultural diversity (including people and food) is huge.  The diversity of climate is wonderful as well.  From the beach to skiing can be just a couple hours plus you have great deserts, national parks, rafting, etc.  Some would say the weather, but it's everything else that makes the weather enjoyable for me; not the other way around.

It's a nice place to visit but a terrible place to live.

Moved to the Bay Area in 2003 moved out in 2018. People are nice. (I particularly like the folks who run the libraries and used book stores.)  

It is expensive to live there. Cost of housing is at an all time high plus the 10% sales tax doesn't help. (Before I left, my rent went up 21% every year for 3 years before moving. Cheaper to own a place in Hawaii.)

Best thing about California is the places and restaurants to visit. (Pier Market Seafood and Restaurant.. excellent crab cakes; Delancy St. Restaruant... that place is special and with excellent foods. Monterey Bay... have dinner at Bubba Gump's or Tarpy's after visiting.)  Also the ease of access to technology products is the best here.

Some are nice and some aren't; same as everywhere else.

It's expensive due to high demand for housing and high taxes.  Food isn't particularly expensive.

The more north and further inland, it gets less expensive.

Earn good money by getting a good job. You figure the rest out.

You've never heard of Truckee or mountains I take it.  

It's a great state if you are into outdoor activities.

as of here in los angeles area the people are ok but it's too expensive. the weather here is great and the best thing is the beach 

California is a huge state that encompasses everything from snowy mountains to scorching deserts to fertile farmland to coastal basins. No, this state routinely ranks near the bottom in tourist surveys for "nice people". So apparently we're not very nice. Yes, it's expensive here. You earn good money by having jobs skills. The hottest jobs in California currently would be those in high tech and the medical field. I live in L.A and on a clear day I can see snow on Mt. Wilson in the distance. We're not as snowless as you imagine. The best thing about California is the weather...but our leaders have relied on that alone for far too long as a pull factor so now we're hemorrhaging industry and innovators and losing most of them to neighboring states or Texas. 

I live in California. The best thing is that it has something for everyone. 

It depends on where you are. Life is completely different along the coast than it is inland. Life is completely different in SoCal than it is in NoCal. Urban life is completely different than rural life in California and everywhere else, too. Also, it does snow in California. Below is a picture of California's Squaw Valley, which offers one of the best ski resorts in the entire US.