From my experience, Seattle tends to seem fairly gloomy and gray to someone who thrives in or is coming from a much warmer environment (like your character from California

iawtc!

My friend, who has actually lived in Seattle her whole life (until now) loooves the sun and the weather here tends to be a depressant to her. She's actually taking vitamin D now, in order to boost her state-of-mind/happiness, and such...