CARB and 91 octane (and psycho cops)? If I wanted to live/visit somewhere based on how bad ass the local roads were, I'd go to Tennessee near the Appalachian Trail. Any place near mountains will have awesome roads, no matter what state it's called. I touge'd the crap out of a chalet road in Gatlinburg 4 years ago.

Never been to NorCal, though. I take it you you were impressed?