I don't disagree, but the traffic and constant development in SOCAL has killed it for me. Just driving through the Temecula-Murrieta corridor is now almost an hour at any time of day. 215-60-91 merge out in Riverside is a constant traffic jam. I used to like taking day trips up to San Bernardino mountains to explore and ski but just going from Temecula resulted in 4-5 hours of car time. So while you could technically ski and surf in the same day, you'll probably spend more time in traffic than doing either activity.
And yet developments keep getting built. The stretch of I-15 between Murrieta and Corona is now development after development being built.
Sorry you live in that Mordorian corridor between Corona and Fallbrook. That is pretty hellacious, especially during that super bloom this last summer.
Technically? Pish posh. Paddle out at NB/HB from 6 to 9 AM, change, and be up at Baldy by 10:30 AM. Or Big Bear by 11:30ish. Ride until closing or until it starts getting slick as the sun goes down. I grew up in LA so driving a few hours each way for a day trip somewhere is inconsequential.
Counting that on one hand, afoaf? Done it several dozens (if not more) of times, especially in spring when you don't even want to get to the mountain until near noon anyways. A little harder with wife and kids these days but that's not because of traffic - wife-inflicted guilt comes into play then. But then it just becomes surf in the morning for a few hours, then go for a hike with wife and kids or similar outdoor activity. You're not doing any of that when you're in some place that's either pissing down rain and windy 350 days of the year (Pacific NW) or -20 and below in the winter and lightning in the summer (Montana, Dakotas, etc).
Traffic into Yosemite is what really ground my gears. But so much better to take the longer way up 395 and around through Tioga. Exponentially nicer drive. You do miss the majesty of Bakersfield and Fresno but those are the sacrifices you make. There is a little bit of vehicular sacklessness that you have to negotiate through Cajon Pass and Adelanto-Inyokern corridor but golden after that.