Joelexander
For many residents, building more housing and letting more people in would irreparably change the “character” of the neighborhood. This can mean more crime, traffic, and pollution.
Past a certain density automotive transportation becomes unfeasable and people will be forced to rely on public or other alternative forms of transportation like walking or riding a bike.
Reducing housing costs would mean changing the way we build cities,shifting to a European or Asian model. Whereas most Californians are very attached to their way of living.
The tallest tree would be Hyperion, a coastal redwood, which is in an undisclosed location in one of the Redwood National or State parks.
Coincidentally the oldest tree in the world is also in California, Methuselah in Eastern California is 4,851 years old.
It can be assumed that any well-trafficked road during or before this period has substantial lead contamination.
You'll also have a lot of luck with clothes meant for serious outdoors use. The prices can be seriously inflated but are often found 30-60% off on season end clearance. There are too many brands to list but I'm very happy with my Salomon, La Sportiva, and Inov-8 shoes.
Inov-8 has recently pioneered the use of graphene rubber in the outsoles of their running shoes doubling or even tripling their longevity.
Also keep an eye out for Vibram rubber outsoles. They're an Italian rubber brand known for being more durable. They're a bit more common to find.
For men's dress shoes brands like Meermin and Grant Stone (China) are competing with Carmina (Spain) and Alden (USA).
I'm sure there's others for every type of leather good imaginable.
Unfortunately they're a victim of their own success. They've done such a phenomenal job people scarcely remember why we use them at all.