First Regionals - NorCal or SoCal?

Hi All,

So I was looking at my vacation schedule for 2009 and I realized that
there's a chance I can make TWO Regionals next year. I'll be
competing in Sports Class with my DG-300. One of the contests will
definitely be the Region 8 contest in Ephrata, WA (since I live in
Seattle and have flown EPH several times this summer).

But I'm trying to decide what the other contest location should be...
I can't spend the time to drive all the way across the country
(otherwise I'd make a bee-line for Mifflin, I LOVE ridge flying and
don't get to do it much up here). So I'm thinking it'll have to be a
contest somewhere in the western US, within a 2-day drive of Seattle.

I grew up in the San Diego area, and I've done some local flying out
of Warner Springs (not much, but enough to finish my Glider
endorsement and try out a couple of gliders for sale there). My
parents still live there and its within a 2-day drive of Seattle...
But I don't know much about the contest environment or how the XC
conditions are.

On the other hand, I also have family property outside of Truckee, and
I flew for a few days at Minden this spring. I've never flown out of
Williams or any of the other Nor-Cal locations - but I'm familiar with
the general topology of middle and northern California.

My question to all of your is: Which Regional contest do you think is
more appropriate for a first-time competitor (both are likely to be
held prior to Region 8) and WHY? Is one area better for landout
options, or have trickier soaring conditions, or have better
attendance, or have better "mentors" available, or have more potential
for practice days before the event, or exhibit other key factors?

Any tips or info would be much appreciated!

Thanks, take care,

--Noel
P.S. I'm not locked into R11 or R12... I just don't know much about
other contests within a 2-day drive (1000 miles) of Seattle. Other
suggestions are welcome.