From a nobel prize winning economist about investing in homes:
http://www.theatlanticcities.com/housing/2013/10/economist-who-just-won-nobel-prize-thinks-housing-terrible-investment/7240/

One point to also factor in though is CA has prop 13…and real estate is always local.

Just know what you’re doing and do your homework. I’m not advocating one way or the other.