Stopping in California on my way back to my home state when I could avoid it, a bad idea?

I’ll be driving back to my home state soon (WA) and wanted to stop in California to visit a friend. From what I’ve read about California law transporting an unloaded gun in a locked case is ok, but I’ve also heard a lot of bad things about California and guns. Would it be best to just avoid it? via /r/CCW http://ift.tt/2BHqem8