Crime rates don't warrant that everyone carry guns around like the old west. People don't get raped on their way home (as you stated) any more than any other state. I disagree with California's gun laws, but they're no more draconian than half the states in the country. I can still buy and own a gun. There is no reason to carry it around, even in Oakland.
Illegal immigrants flooding over our borders? They're flooding over everyone's borders at this point. The nice thing about our high cost of living is that illegal immigrants are finding it harder to afford to live here and moving on.