Just a note, FAR/AIM 2011 is now current so if you're going to pick up a copy, it may as well be the 2011 version! Here's a summary of the changes:
http://www.jeppesen.com/documents/av...10_to_2011.pdf
Also, I was born and started to fly in Florida. I moved to California and flew there for a bit (before moving to NY where I am now). Personally, I prefer to fly in California. The scenery is much more diverse, as is the selection of places you can fly to in a few hours. As SoCal mentioned, you're not contending with daily thunderstorms... just springtime low level fog.
JGoodbody - the FSDO is not a "secure" federal building, so there aren't x-ray machines and bag checks to contend with. It's just an office. So, the type or size of bag you have with you isn't an issue.