Local People seem to be more friendly when im on vacation.

Yes they can tell you are on vacation. A person on vacation doesn't have 12 things on their mind so it's not all over the face.

Starting on my first trip to California in 1983 I've noticed, people are different in California. And most of the time they are not as friendly or easy going as in other western states. But the last few years it is spreading, especially in large cities.