So Close But SoCal. Actually, Southern Cali isn't close to Chicago at all. There isn't a spot in the country that's more distant - roughly 2000 miles to be inexact. Add an 87 degree differential (-2 degrees [Chicago] + 85 degrees [San Diego] = 87 degrees for you math freaks) and it didn't take much convincin' for me to make the trip (OK, I had to go for work anyway). Various images from January.