Weather will get a little colder than Florida, but you also have ski mountains within 2 hours. My daughter lives next door in Santa Clara, Very nice area. Some parts of San Jose are not as fancy as the rest of silicon valley but your will see that in any large town. Yes, the cost of housing is HIGH, sales tax just goes up 0.5% to about 8% (depends on your county). Income tax is progressive, 0-11% although they could have go an increase in for the rich folk on the last ballot.
People live in CA for the weather, same as in Florida. The traffic in the bay area is major, just like any very large spread out city.
The good news, you can come to our car show in May!!! Lots of active car clubs in the area.
Jerry