East Coast Feel (San Francisco, Oakland, Santa Rosa: hotel, homes, construction)

[Gidget]

Hiya!

What areas in northern California, meaning Monterey on up, have more of an "east Coast" feel? By "East Coast" I am thinking about the types of trees and other vegetation, areas that might get a little snow, not desert or chaparral, perhaps housing styles. I actually live in southern CA, but I realize there are lots of places I am unaware of because this state is so darn big, and I know there is quite a bit of variety in CA.

Thanks for any ideas!

[kettlepot]

If you are talking East Coast urban, the cities of San Francisco, and the northern peninsula, such as Daly City and the cities along the east bay shoreline, Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda, Piedmont, and probably Richmond, San Leandro, etc. are your best bets. By East Coast Urban, I'm talking pre WWII housing on small lots in walkable communities. If you go further down the peninsula or further inland from the East Bay shoreline, the housing becomes post WWII tract housing on larger lots, and particularly east of the Oakland Hills the climate becomes much drier with the commensurate change in vegetation.

If you are looking for something that resembles East Coast rural, I'm not familiar enough with the non-urban parts of the Bay Area to help you.

[skytrekker]

The area north of the Golden Gate bridge into Marin and Sonoma will be more 'green' then south of San Francisco.

There is more rain in the winter, and temps will drop to freezing or below on a fair number of nights from December to March (north of San Francisco) Trees grown however will be much different then the northeast. Lots of Sitka Spruce, and other types of conifers, Redwoods of course, and also a fair variety of cold tolerant palms. Also Maples (not usually sugar) American Tulep trees, Gums and some oaks, which will turn color and shed leaves in the autumn (though the autumn color is much more muted then the north east) You will not however see a canopy of trees covering the hills till you go further north, and again conifers will be dominate.

The climate in Marin and Sonoma is still dry subtropical- but has fairly defined seasons, compared to areas further south.
There are many 'rural type' areas in Marin, and especially Sonoma county.

[Sassberto]

Personally I don't think there's really anywhere in CA that has that "East Coast" feel. Sure there are places with green trees and rain, but aside from a few suburbs and maybe SF proper, CA housing tends to be dominated by postwar construction in it's cities.

CA's rural, coastal areas don't really compare to the northeastern coast either. Whereas the eastern rural cities are often quite charming and well-kept, with a quaint, tourist-friendly downtown, much of rural coastal CA ranges from shabby to crumbling.

[Gidget]

Thank you Kettlepot, Skytrakker and Sassberto for your thoughtful insights about areas with an east coast feel.

I guess I should have said "Back East" rather than "East Coast." In the back of my mind there resides a romanticized vision of an area that has more trees than So Cal, maybe evergreens, maybe decidious, maybe both. Could even get a little snow. But not like Truckee or Mammoth. Yikes! Well, while I am at it, having a lake or river fairly close would be perfect. In my dreams probably.

Thanks again!

[jessemh431]

so you want back east style, rural type with trees, and not too much snow?

redding is nice. it's in the central valley. there are small amounts of snow only in winter. there is a lake nearby to go all types of activities except jet ski. mammoth and tahoe aren't too far away for winter fun.

eureka is right on the coast. no snow. lots of rain.

both have an eastern feel because there's not many people and there are huge redwood forest surrounding both

MENDOCINO IS VERY NEW ENGLAND-ISH/SMALL TOWNI-ISH!!!!! that should be your number one choice. it is on the coast though so it doesnt snow

[UrbanQuest]

City of San Francisco
suburbs would include
Mill Valley
San Anselmo
Ross
Santa Rosa
Danville
Burlingame
Los Altos
Palo Alto
Los Gatos
Sebastopol
These are the closest places I experienced in Nor Cal in comparison to the Northeast although not that close.

[Kingsnkali]

Sonora, Jackson, Placerville, Auburn, Georgetown, Grass Valley and Nevada City. Other towns as well. Beautiful fall colors. 1800's downtowns. Old homes.

[sliverbox]

In my opinion, one of the reasons people move to CA is because it is California. If you want New England, then move to New England. Some of those cities mentioned above very vaguely resemble New England at least architecturally, but the surrounding geography looks nothing like the Northeast. I lived in MA for a few years and nothing here reminds me of it.

Auburn and Grass Valley in my opinion are GREAT little towns. Me and my wife go there all the time. They have a real authentic feel to them, but the feel is distinctively old west gold mining town. The area is steeped in early California history and people seem to take pride in it. Lots of old festivals. That and the cost of living is less and getting more affordable since housing prices are falling. If I had my choice, I'd live in Auburn.

[Gidget]

Thanks, all, for your replies. Those pictures are awesome! I have been to Mendicino and agree that it is charming.

No, I never said I "want New England", and yes I am aware that I could move there. Back East is simply a point of reference mostly as in "more trees and less desert", something for a comparison, looking for what right now exists only in my mind. Hard to describe. I have lived in CA all my life and doubt I could ever move away. California is so diverse, and I am interested in exploring areas beyond southern CA.

Thank you all for your opinions and suggestions!