Welcome from Northern California, about 30 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean. I think you are off to a wonderful start in your quilting life! That is going to be awesome. I made my first quilt MANY years ago, it was Aqua and White, and was lined with a wool blanket and tied.
Tying versus machine all depends on you and what you use as a batting! I know several people who piece their quilt tops and then tie or pay someone to machine quilt. I'm working on my free-motion machine quilting skills, but I'm pretty sure that however you choose to "finish" this quilt, it will be loved by the person lucky enough to have it!