Hi Nancy! Welcome! According to USDA website (if you live in the 86409 zip code) you are a zone 8b, but yes there are lots of variance within a zone!
http://planthardiness.ars.usda...
I began going overboard on succulents about 2 years ago! I've always liked them, but really began "collecting" !!
If there are any "big box" stores near you, they very often have plants which don't look so well, on sale for cheap, and really often they just need some TLC and repotting and they bounce back!
