If you only look at San Franfreeco and Lost Angeles, they are correct. Those two cities, because of their population numbers control the state. If you took out those two cities, California would be overwhelmingly Republican.
I'm afraid you overstate the redness of the golden state. I live on the coast south of SF. There is a slightly red tinge around Monterey because of all the retired and active military. Other than that the coast is rat heaven from Big Sur to the Oregon border. Look at the makeup of the congressional reps in the greater bay area. On second thought, don't. It would make you sick.
Maybe if you took out L.A. and S.F. the state would be slightly republican, but to be sure you would also have to remove some or all of the following: Oakland, Berkeley, Sacramento, San Jose.
The two cities and their largely immigrant, displaced east coast populace.