Yes, we're among the most socially and culturally liberal states in the nation, but in the contrary: parts of CA are more conservative like the Central Valleys, Inland Empire of so CA and Sierras/Cascades north of Sacramento are "red" counties. Southern CA is comparably more to the right than Northern CA, esp around the SF bay area and beach towns. To describe "conservatism" in CA would be viewed as more "liberal" in red states like Texas, despite the state capital Austin is a liberal bastion.
Be in mind, Richard Nixon (a Capricorn) another Cal. conservative/ Republican came from Yorba Linda in Orange County, and he was our governor and president (resigned in 1974 after 5 years over the Watergate scandal). I noticed there's no public school in my area named for him, though some of the schools are named for presidents, even one named for Ronald Reagan. What a way to not honor the first (and only) native-born Californian to served in the white house.
And CA is the hotbed of activism: anti-racism or tolerance, gay rights, environmentalism, public social welfare and our strong anti-smoking campaign. L.A. and even more in SF are quite liberal, but the suburbs around L.A., southern O.C., northern S.D. and the farther away from the coast are more conservative or Republican. Areas where lower-income residents and minorities are larger percentages are mostly Democratic. Aquarian states like CA are more diverse in social/cultural demography.