The only thing I really know about gearing is bigger in the front makes it harder, smaller in the rear makes it harder and vice versa.

I've been riding the stock 48/16 rings on my Bianchi Pista for about a year. It was OK if a bit high in New York, but I just moved out to Southern California and it feels like too much.

Would something like 48/18 be more appropriate for the rolling hill type of stuff of SoCal? Or something more radical with a change of front ring too?

The gear inches thing I understand but I don't know what like 72" feels like. Suggestions?