I also live in San Diego and I bought a Pelican water conditioner in March of 2008. I love it! I really notice the difference when I wash my hair, and especially around the house - like in the guest toilet which doesn't get used so often. There is no hard water residue in the toilet and around the faucets and that was a problem with my old salt conditioner. Everything feels cleaner. I only wish that I had also bought the charcoal filter as well.