Sunniest cooler town/city in California (San Diego, San Jose: 2015, crime, to live in)

[worg]

Hi, looking for lots of sun but moderate temps - 55 to no higher than 80 at the hottest. I REALLY want to stay in SOCAL, but haven't fallen in love with San Diego..Any suggestions? If Bay area, what towns? Cannot afford to live in SF proper. Thanks!

[MtnSurfer]

What is it you like/dislike about SD? That might help determine what places you would like more.

You didn't say if you want to stay on the coast or not. That will be a consideration. The coast is the most moderate due to the ocean keeping temps in check. If you stayed in SoCal there are many options. I grew up there along the SoCal coast and those are the average temps from pretty much Santa Barbara down to San Diego. The further inland you go, the hotter it gets during heat waves and Summer months, like inland OC, Pasadena, Riverside, the SFV, etc... Therefore many places have or need A/C.

The further north you go the cooler it gets, however it is still within that range the majority of the time. I'd also suggest places along the Central Coast like San Luis Obispo, Carmel, Monterey and Santa Cruz. San Jose would be another option depending on what you are really looking for. Even the East Bay is pretty moderate.

Derek

[ohblahblahblah]

You know, if there are premium vineyards planted in an area, it's a pretty good bet that it's temperate. Warm days, cool nights and rarely over the 80s. people relocating to agricultural regions is not such a good thing. Remember, tractors are loudest at 4 am. Very, very loud. With very bright spotlights. From Camarillo in the south up to Santa Cruz (north kind of foggy) should work for you - as Derek suggested. The central coast really does have everything you require and more. Enjoy the beach.

[sourdough]

Carpinteria. Look at the averages, temp. and sunshine,crime …
//www.city-data.com/city/Carpin...ifornia.html#b
and Carp is right in the middle of #1 and 3 rated counties in the U.S. ….
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/...atural-beauty/
And the worlds safest beach!

[BeauCharles]

Santa Barbara area or Santa Cruz. The south facing beach towns are your best bet for dependable sun and mild temps.

[sourdough]

Carpinteria doesn't get has hot or cold as S.B. Always a couple degrees to the good.

[Ruth4Truth]

Traditionally, there have been lots of sunny-but-cool areas on the coast. The problem is, that's changing. Even Santa Cruz has been having more 90-degree days/weeks in the summers. OP, what's "cool" today will likely not remain so much longer. Just saying.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Originally Posted by MtnSurfer

What is it you like/dislike about SD? That might help determine what places you would like more.

You didn't say if you want to stay on the coast or not. That will be a consideration. The coast is the most moderate due to the ocean keeping temps in check. If you stayed in SoCal there are many options. I grew up there along the SoCal coast and those are the average temps from pretty much Santa Barbara down to San Diego. The further inland you go, the hotter it gets during heat waves and Summer months, like inland OC, Pasadena, Riverside, the SFV, etc... Therefore many places have or need A/C.

The further north you go the cooler it gets, however it is still within that range the majority of the time. I'd also suggest places along the Central Coast like San Luis Obispo, Carmel, Monterey and Santa Cruz. San Jose would be another option depending on what you are really looking for. Even the East Bay is pretty moderate.

Derek

The no lower than 55 pretty much limits the OP to the coast.

Even near the border, The Imperial Valley, which I consider the warmest inland place in the Winter, goes lower than that in the Winter. To be that mild the OP needs Sunset Western Garden Guide Zone 24 and even that is stretching it. When I lived in Zone 24 we'd get down into the 40s the coldest winter nights but I was near a canyon mouth.

[nightlysparrow]

Ventura, Port Hueneme and the beach section of Oxnard.

[jade408]

Originally Posted by MtnSurfer

What is it you like/dislike about SD? That might help determine what places you would like more.

You didn't say if you want to stay on the coast or not. That will be a consideration. The coast is the most moderate due to the ocean keeping temps in check. If you stayed in SoCal there are many options. I grew up there along the SoCal coast and those are the average temps from pretty much Santa Barbara down to San Diego. The further inland you go, the hotter it gets during heat waves and Summer months, like inland OC, Pasadena, Riverside, the SFV, etc... Therefore many places have or need A/C.

The further north you go the cooler it gets, however it is still within that range the majority of the time. I'd also suggest places along the Central Coast like San Luis Obispo, Carmel, Monterey and Santa Cruz. San Jose would be another option depending on what you are really looking for. Even the East Bay is pretty moderate.

Derek

San Jose would be too hot. Summer is definitely 80+

Really only the inner east bay qualifies: Oakland, Alameda, San Leandro, and San Lorenzo. Berkeley and north (Albany, El Cerrito, Richmond) are quite a bit foggier than Oakland and south. But, not fog city like SF. Unless you are in the hills of El Cerritto.

The Central Coast would work well, though on the ocean it can get a bit foggy.