Best 1/2 Iron Distance race for a first Timer??

For a first HIM I'd try to figure about when you can be ready and look for a race that's held that month. If you have more than one choice during that time-frame then any number of other factors come into play, especially personal preference. The closest one, the one folks you know have done/are doing, or that's held at a smaller lake, or heck, with a cool T-Shirt.
You can use http://www.trifind.com/
to look for races either by State, or by Half-Iron Distance.
Happy Hunting

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If you don't mind coming south a few hours, the Big Kahuna in Santa Cruz is a good first-timer race (it was my first). The weather would be different from what you train in up in Sacramento, since Santa Cruz mornings tend to be cool and cloudy, but probably not so different that it would throw you way off your game. In 2007 it was cloudy for the swim and bike, but cleared up and was actually rather warm for the run. Get used to swimming with a wetsuit, though, 'cause that water's cold (59-60F).

If you're looking for weather similar to Sacramento's, Vineman 70.3 is supposed to be a great race. I've never done it, so I can't vouch for its being a good first, but I hear nothing but good things about it.

Head West and North for the Vineman 70.3.

I did it as my first ever tri, had a blast. The swim was wetsuit legal, which is usually the case, the bike course was nice and the people and atmosphere was top notch.

The swim is in the Russian River, and if you need to you can move over to the left and stand up. I originally picked this one because my uber-runner mother in-law isn't big on swimming so thought it was the best option for that, but she was not able to run it.

I will do the Vineman again this coming year, it was a total blast.

Superfrog in San Diego. Better be prepared though.

I'd second the recommendation for Vineman 70.3...relatively close to you and the course is generally forgiving (though the run was hillier than I expected). Very well run event.

I'm planning on doing Vineman 70.3 in 2009 as my first half ironman.  Maybe my second... we'll see about Wildflower Long Course... haha... but otherwise, I also hear good things about Big Kahuna, so that would be another one to look into up in Northern CA.