I went to UW, and lived in Seattle for 6 years. It was miserable. The city's natural surroundings are gorgeous, but it's always cold and damp so you can't really enjoy it (unless you particularly like that kind of weather).
For about a year there was a fantastic hiking trail that started about 50 feet off my front yard. I think I walked it once...
Like you, I moved to California. Night and day difference.