If a feller was to be travelling through CA and only had a few days to spend there, what are the things that he shouldn't miss?
Million dollar question. Pick one thing you have to see and I can give advice from there. SF bridge, Yosemite, coastal beaches, gold rush country, vinyards. Need more information.
Maybe a tour of young and vibrant college campuses...
Last time I was in Compton you could hear gun fire a few blocks away and there were cops standing in the doorway of businesses like it was nothing. You didn't go wondering off to see the sights.