On Wed, 22 Oct 2003 05:49:44 GMT, jeff higgins
wrote:

where I live (LA basin.)

I read that a home baker could make sourdough starter anywhere along
the California coast except the LA basin. He said he never could get a
starter going there.

For people like that the solution is simple - buy a sourdough starter,
e.g., the "LA-4 French sourdough starter" from King Arthur Flour for
$6.95 postpaid - which they claim has the San Francisco sourdough
organism present.

www.kingarthurflour.com
800-827-6836

I chose KA because they have true experts on their staff, so if I get
into any trouble they can help me by email. Also I use KA bread flour,
so I am familiar with the company.

You will have a known product that will work and you can spend your
time and energy on baking bread. If you still want to experiment with
homegrown starters you still can in background - while you enjoy
eating homemade sourdough bread.