Somewhere in Northern California??? (San Diego, San Francisco: homes, neighborhoods, good schools)

[jencelo]

My husband and I are thinking to move to Northern California. However,
we are not sure what fits the best for our needs. We have no kids for
now. I am 30 years old and he is 35.

-Not cold (preferably warmer than San Francisco)
-Active town with local shops and restaurants
-Close to San Francisco (within an hour)
-Bike-friendly
-Close to the beach (within 45 minutes)
-Organic produce/farmers markets

BTW, are we going to have foggy mornings/nights no matter where we go in that area?

Thanks!

[mburns]

Hi,
You've basically described the California life-style and there are many places for you to choose from. Marin county would be a good fit and also the East Bay. Since I'm from the East Bay, I can attest to the wonderful regional parks that we have and also there are some wonderful neighborhoods that have beautiful homes, plus are close to everything, such as, restaurants, shops, transportation, etc... For Oakland, I would recomend the following districts: Rockridge, Montclair, and Grand Lake area. Berkeley has a some active neighborhoods, such as, Elmwood, Gourmet Ghetto, and 4th St. Also, the city of Alameda may appeal to you. It has it's own beach, lots of bide riding trails, farmers markets, and a historical happening downtown area.

Also, once out of SF, the fog is not as strong and you will only have to experience it occasionally.

Good Luck with your move!
Mary

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by jencelo

My husband and I are thinking to move to Northern California. However,
we are not sure what fits the best for our needs. We have no kids for
now. I am 30 years old and he is 35.

-Not cold (preferably warmer than San Francisco)
-Active town with local shops and restaurants
-Close to San Francisco (within an hour)
-Bike-friendly
-Close to the beach (within 45 minutes)
-Organic produce/farmers markets

BTW, are we going to have foggy mornings/nights no matter where we go in that area?

Thanks!

Probably almost anywhere in Marin County would fit you to a tee..One thing to remember if you don't already know this, most of the beaches in No California are not a swimmer friendly as So California. No, you will not have a lot of fog if you go toward Marin county or even closer to the eastbay.

Nita

[thrillobyte]

I'd like a real foggy area, but one that is not really cold, just moderate. Can I find that in the SF bay basin or do I have to be on SF peninsula to find that? Also, are the earthquakes across the bay less severe than the ones right in SF?

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Originally Posted by jencelo

My husband and I are thinking to move to Northern California. However,
we are not sure what fits the best for our needs. We have no kids for
now. I am 30 years old and he is 35.

-Not cold (preferably warmer than San Francisco)
-Active town with local shops and restaurants
-Close to San Francisco (within an hour)
-Bike-friendly
-Close to the beach (within 45 minutes)
-Organic produce/farmers markets

BTW, are we going to have foggy mornings/nights no matter where we go in that area?

Thanks!

San Carlos, Belmont, San Mateo, Burlingame (not even 45 minutes to the beach, less than 30). 20 - 30 minutes from the City without traffic. Cal Train. Farmers' Markets and organic produce. Less fog and wind than SF (but enough wind and fog to not be an inland type of area). Wonderful native coast live oak studded hills, with non tract homes in most portions ranging from ones built early 20th century to recent. Bike friendly. Hiking trails. Greenbelt. Local shops and restos. Good schools. Etc.

[jencelo]

Thank you for all your replies. I should say (I should have in the first place) that I lived in San Diego for a year and my husband for three years. I was not too crazy about San Diego and my husband agrees with me too now. Everything is spread out and I could never find the coziness I look there.

We were in Provence, France for our honeymoon and we loved it there! We also love New York State (the changing color of the leaves is just amazing) but NY is too cold! I am not sure which of the places you recommend close to Provence and NY but I guess we are looking something between these two places.

[humboldtrat]

Originally Posted by jencelo

We were in Provence, France for our honeymoon and we loved it there! We also love New York State (the changing color of the leaves is just amazing) but NY is too cold! I am not sure which of the places you recommend close to Provence and NY but I guess we are looking something between these two places.

So you're looking for a place in California that is a cross between Provence, France and upstate New York? . Get real!!

[jencelo]

Originally Posted by humboldtrat

So you're looking for a place in California that is a cross between Provence, France and upstate New York? . Get real!!

Well, of course you have to live in Provence or NY to have that but at least something little close would be good enough

[humboldtrat]

Originally Posted by jencelo

Well, of course you have to live in Provence or NY to have that but at least something little close would be good enough

Having thought about it, check out San Luis Obispo on the central coast. Lots of vineyards/wineries in the area and a short drive to the coast (Pismo Beach and Morro Bay). The city has Cal Poly University and is bike friendly. Downside: More than an hour from San Francisco and very little fall foliage.

Also check out the Monterey/Pacific Grove/Carmel area on the coast. A little more than an hour to San Francisco, but again very little fall foliage.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Originally Posted by BayAreaHillbilly

San Carlos, Belmont, San Mateo, Burlingame (not even 45 minutes to the beach, less than 30). 20 - 30 minutes from the City without traffic. Cal Train. Farmers' Markets and organic produce. Less fog and wind than SF (but enough wind and fog to not be an inland type of area). Wonderful native coast live oak studded hills, with non tract homes in most portions ranging from ones built early 20th century to recent. Bike friendly. Hiking trails. Greenbelt. Local shops and restos. Good schools. Etc.

Again.

Also, RE: Provence. I've seen many places less like Provence. We even have lavender in bloom presently - LOL!

For vines, you'd need to get well into the hills - there are smaller places with them, in Woodside, et al.

Folliage - natives include Big Leaf Maples, Sycamores, Buckeyes (really Summer folliage), California Walnut and the odd Black Oak. Of course there are non natives as well, Liquid Amber, English Walnut, Elm, Birch, and so on.