Are there any cities in other states similar to Marin County, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, etc.?

[BOORGONG]

Stinson Beach is such a nice destination from San Francisco, great transition past the bustle of GG bridge.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by BOORGONG

Funny, but I just came back from a trip to Dublin, Ireland and there are definite similarities to Marin landscapewise. I'm talking about the seaside suburbs Northbof Dublin like Howthband thebSouthside ones from Bray to Greystones, Wicklow. Lots of rolling hills, scenic bluffs, beaches, and quaint architecture. The difference is that it is very green, but there is a similar feel.

Very interesting. Though the OP was asking about Marin-type places elsewhere in the US. But this is still interesting.

Probably some of the quaint New England coastal towns might have some aspects of the Marin feel, except for the winters.

[golgi1]

There is no Marin type place elsewhere in the US that isn't equivalently expensive, or nearly-so, and in California. Something will need to be sacrificed.

If I am reading the OP correctly, his foremost criteria are weather, high area average income, but lower costs for him (the last two are more or less self-contradicting).

If the OP can give up six months of Mediterranean weather for tropical weather, and give up hilly terrain, then Florida would be my suggestion.

Specifically, I would suggest St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Naples / Bonita Springs, Palm Beach, Boca Raton, or Port St. Lucie.

If he's of a liberal bent and has some passion about it (is easily annoyed by politics) then I'd stick to the East Coast: Palm Beach and below. If he's more live and let live then check out the West Coast as well.

If Florida isn't to his liking, then Phoenix seems to be the de facto hideout for California refugees who need year round warm weather. Specifically Scottsdale, Chandler, or Gilbert.

Options within California that are within an hour or two of the water: Sacramento, Palm Springs Area, the Far Eastern and Northern Inland regions of San Diego, Temecula, and the Inland Empire.