Yes. Other factors as well. I just said a large part... not the only or the largest. Another one is that you are not more than a couple hours from snow (assuming we're not having a drought like right now), the beach and the forest. I'm sure other places enjoy this diversity of nature as well... but we do have it pretty good here.

Of course, there is no denying that the area is great, I lived in the Valley for a few months and loved it.