A flash flood watch is in place for Death Valley, and a winter storm at Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks after Christmas could bring as much as 5 feet of snow.

California is heading into a stormy period, with two systems set to bring destructive rains and possible flooding. S.F. is under a wind warning, while mountain travel is expected to be hazardous.

Even waterfront properties, which in southern California would require lottery-winner finances, can be attainable for retirees with typical retirement savings and Social Security income. The trade-off ...