What parts of California are close to the beach and real green and tropical?

This is a tough one! Obviously, southern California is going to have the most tropical weather. And granted, in LA and San Diego, yes, there are lots of palm trees. However, these are two of the most built up metropolitan areas in California. I have a very hard time calling any areas along the southern California coast "real green and tropical." On the other hand, if you go up to northern California, the areas around the coast are green, pristine, and gorgeous. My favorite area up there is around Arcata. But then you're not in a tropical zone. It's a more forest-type environment, with cold, wet winters. Is it green, though? Absolutely. So it looks like you may need to rethink which sounds better: tropical, but kind of built up coast; or green coast with colder weather. --->Good Luck!

The parts that have the 5 million dollar houses sitting on them....

Southern California is a desert. Any place that looks green and tropical is that way because someone is paying to make it that way. If you want to live near a beach, the area will be dry and expensive or green and even more expensive. In northern California the beaches are too cold for half the year. Bear in mind I live aabout 2 miles from Newport Beach, one of the best beaches in the world and I never go there as on the best days it is too crowded. And besides, life just gets in the way of going to the beach a lot.

I think you should consider Florida. California is not tropical.

If you go more than 5 miles from the beach, it's just overcrowded and congested, like anywhere else - but there ARE palm trees lining the streets:) ..... You should try the La Jolla area, just north of San Diego. You need to remember that Southern California has been reclaimed from desert, and it takes alot of watering to keep everything green & blooming. So, although there will be flowers blooming, it's not going to be a lush, tropical feel anywhere.....

Well, as others have already said, we're not really very green and tropical around here - Southern California is a desert except where it's irrigated. And in addition, our housing is pretty dense (due to land cost). That said, I've always been impressed by the amount of greenery along Crown Valley Parkway in Laguna Niguel as you travel toward Monarch/Dana Point beaches. And you can certainly get to the beach in 20 minutes from there.