I lived in San Francisco for 8 years prior to moving back East to MA in 2008. IM me if you have specific questions. As for gun laws, I haven't cared in 6 years what Kalifornistan guns laws are nor was I that into them when I was there so I likely can't help you much in that regard.
It is an amazing state, except for the people the laws and the costs. Its crowded, expensive and hard to live but it can be lots of fun as well. The outdoor opportunities are amazing, skiing is pretty good and easy access to amazing skiing (Utah etc) etc. The down site is traffic sucks, the people suck, the laws suck, and the cost of living sucks most of all. Oh and the politics suck, at least in the population centers (LA, SF areas). I guess that about covers it.
IF you have a chance to live in a place like the Sierra foothills, well then forget much of what I just said. CCW easy to get, lots of places to shoot, decent hunting, traffic isn't horrible, most people like (or at least tolerate) guns, it isn't liberal and a 1000sq/ft house won't cost you over a million.
Lots of good and bad about the state. Its easy to bash it at a high level as is done non stop on this site (and by me to my wife who wants to move back) but in the end there are ways to make it a great place to be. Even in the best situation though, gun laws will still suck!