Silicon Valley ( metro San Jose, CA ) is still the best area though there are many other high tech areas around the country. Salaries are higher in Silicon Valley but the cost of living is also higher. If I were you, I would search for places that I want to live and then look for the jobs. I was a Software design consultant until I retired. I have also been a hardware engineer. I have worked in Silicon Valley, San Diego, Phoenix Arizona, SE Florida, and a few other places. Silicon Valley was my favorite place by far.

There are not a lot of jobs right now but there are still some. I still receive offers now even though I am retired.