You guys have neglected to mention the throngs of homeless people asking for money on every corner or the sweet smell of urine that blankets the city. If it's bad now, what will happen if Tommy Ammiano is elected mayor? Still, you could find a decent neighborhood without these problems. Either live on a hill which the homeless people don't like to climb or the Marina, where I never noticed these problems quite as much. West coast hours are the best to trade, you only get up an hour or two earlier and yet have the entire afternoon free. It doesn't feel like a real job.
If your thinking of San Francisco because it provides a city lifestyle, it also exists in SoCal just not as big. Parts of Santa Monica, Venice, West LA, Koreatown and San Diego's Gas Lamp distict has that to an extent although not as intense. LA is, despite being the home to Hollywood lifestyle, kind of an early town. I have found difficult to find a decent restaurant open after 10:00 without having to travel. The cost of living is generally cheaper in the South.