I too live in CA and agree about the whole services v taxes argument. CA has a screwed up budget process where the minority can block the budget because it requires a 2/3 vote to pass.

With Prop 13, taxes are kept artificially low given the demand for services. I haven't tried the reservation system, so no ideas on that. I don't get out that much, but at Yosemite in winter in the high country (Badger Pass area), no reservations needed at all. Just show up. The Valley sites use a reservation system, but not sure if that is all year round. The info is on the Yosemite vendor's website.
_________________________
Don't get me started, you know how I get.