I think things like starting families also tends to make people think more conservatively because then you have more than yourself to worry about...I see it all the time with idealistic young folks out here that then settle down; their focus on the city/state/country/world's problems mostly shifts to their own households...it's the natural way of things.
I love California, best state in the Union IMO. Geographically we have mountains, forests, coastline, farmland (ag is the biggest industry in the state) and deserts. The population is a mix of so many types of people. It creates craziness for sure which can be good and bad. The state is nearly bankrupt but at the same time the state's economy has at times been the 5th or 6th largest in the world...but also it's one of the worst states to start and run a business because of taxes (way too many inefficient state run programs)...there's so much chaos and creativity here. and all that is even more so in the crazy cosmopolitan city of SF. 