FFF,
Which bit of California were you flying in? I have flown in the same conditions over there as you get over here so which to say that you wont get same weather over there is a pretty general statement to make and one I do not agree with.
You get rain, fog, mist, marine layers, etc, anything you want (or dont want as the case may be!) and I even flown into a fully blown ski resort in CA where we had to play spot the runway!!!
Flyrr - Dont let them wind you up! Its like comparing apples and pears when comparing JAA and FAA. Some claim FAA is inferior as they have had bad experiences of schools in the US, but there again there are bad schools over here as well. I fly in both countries and my only gripe is the cost of training in the UK!
Julian.