Replying to Where to live in California?

so after college in a couple years i want to move, it's far away but i want to get some ideas flowing through my head.

i wanna start by saying this won't be based on jobs or work at all. that being said:

i've considered living in a few places after college. the usual for a skier. boulder CO, montana, salt lake city, tahoe, etc. however, as much as i love skiing, i would also just love to have some beach living for a few years before getting started with a career and such.

so this brings the main question. is there such a place in california where the weather is always nice, so that i could ski when i feel like it, and go to the beach when i feel like it? essentially what i've heard people talk about before -- the ability to ski and surf in the same day. i would prefer the mountain choices are somewhat good and not 500 foot hills, but if that doesn't exist i'm gonna have to re-think the whole idea.

i would really like it if the beach was close and the mountains were the further drive, rather than the other way around. i'm already used to driving hours to go skiing.

thanks and plus karma