Strawberries?

Though strawberries may not be what most of you think of as perennials,
here in Southern California, they are.  I'm wondering if anyone can tell me
why strawberry beds seem to produce best the second year and decline after
that.  I understand why they might not produce well until that second year,
but why decline?  After all, they send off runners and make new plants each
year, so wouldn't those new plants be as vigorous as their parent plants?
Should I completely replace my bed every two years and if so, what
advantage is there to purchasing new plants rather than collecting new
offshoots and keeping them until it is time to re-plant?

Thanks for your input

Nan
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Nan Sterman
San Diego County California
Sunset zone 24, USDA hardiness zone 10b or 11

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