What are the orange-red spiders?

I live in San Diego and they are all over the place, in people's yards. They are not as prevalent this year as last year, maybe because we had so little rainfall this winter. They are mostly a rust color, but have white rings around all of their legs. No black on it anywhere. They weave enormous webs, usually from the roofline to the nearest tree or object, but sometimes down low, unfortunately attached to our gate at the front walkway. Every morning of the summer I have to go around with a broom to clear out any of them that are in the areas we walk through. A friend of mine told me they are harmless. However I did know one man who was bitten by one, and it caused him pain - and sent him on a downward spiral of health, and he eventually died. He did not die from the spider bite, but it was the moment when his overall health took a downturn. I have not been able to find a picture of any spider that looks like it.

like Flickr, where you post photographs of insects, arachnids, flowers, etc. and people with experience in that particular area try to identify them for you - so if you can get a digital photo, you might try that route.

Here are some that might help:

http://flickr.com/search/groups/?q=identify%20spider&m=all

I will try to take a photo the next time I see one. I appreciate the information.

them, since the spider you're interested in might already be in there.

There're lots of different types - here's one example:

http://www.biology-blog.com.nyud.net:8090/images/blogs/orb-weaver-spider-123101.jpg

but I don't recall any black on the one I saw. I'll try to get a picture of it.
Thanks!

I love "What's That Bug" for "bug" identification!

http://www.whatsthatbug.com/

http://www.spiderzrule.com/venusta.htm

I'll get a picture of one and check it out.