A young man from Chicago (Dennis Christopher) relocates to Southern California and finds himself living with a local business owner (Seymour Cassel) after befriending him, though this arrangement bothers the man’s college-aged daughter (Glynnis O’Connor). Simultaneously, he attempts to become accepted by some of the local surfers (John Calvin, John Fain and Jimmy Van Patten). "California Dreaming," filmed in October 1977 but not released until early 1979, is a coming-of-age dramedy that builds on Sam Elliott’s “Lifeguard” from a few years prior while incorporating humor. I wouldn't compare it to those silly beach movies of the sixties because this one feels more authentic. It’s easy to overlook the fact that the first movie in the "beach party" genre was 1959’s “Gidget,” starring Sandra Dee, which was a serious drama and not comical at all. There are some funny moments here, but it's primarily a story that feels genuine. Dorothy Tristan appears in a notable role as Duke’s former wife, Fay. She was married to director John Hancock from 1975 until her death in 2023. Speaking of John, he also directed the artistic “Let’s Scare Jessica to Death” in the early seventies, so he's certainly not an unknown filmmaker. This film clearly had an impact on one of the best coming-of-age movies, "Fast Times at Ridgemont High," which came out a few years later. While it isn’t quite as strong, it is close. It’s better than the overhyped “Back to the Beach” (1987). Despite having a kind and funny spirit, the movie includes some full nudity and frank discussions/situations about sex, reflecting the setting of the story. If that bothers you, this isn't for you. The film’s length is 1 hour, 32 minutes, and it was shot at Avila Beach, California, which is 195 miles northwest of Los Angeles. Other nearby locations include Morro Bay to the north and the theater in San Luis Obispo, just southeast of Morro Bay; studio filming took place in Los Angeles. GRADE: B-/B

Source on TMDB