Notice that almost everyone that commented (Including me) lives here.
The only thing that I don't agree with is that gas is over $4 dollar a gallon, for most places its actually about $3.55 right now in Redding (not like that's much better....)
I live in Redding, unless your a student, highly skilled or a Govt. worker, I wouldn't both coming here to live. Redding does offer great gold, a central location that rarely gets snow but is only minutes from snow in the winter, only minutes away from the first open area's that you can find gold, half a days drive to the ocean and great gold, fishing and camping all the way there.
I have lived in Citrus Heights (Sacramento Area) and Fontana (SoCal) and have worked in SanFran and Napa making daily commutes.
If I had to choose, I would choose Citrus Heights and surrounding East/South East area's around Sacramento like Roseville, Rocklin, Folsom, Orangevale, Rancho Cordova and so on.
If you live there then you are VERY close to the Motherlode.
Right now, unless you have solid work lined up already, I would no recommend moving to California.