Places in California that meet my criteria? (San Diego, Sacramento: neighborhoods, living in)

[Wile E. Coyote]

Originally Posted by sav858

Those places don't really meet your criteria for fall weather or politics.

Maybe Julian in San Diego County?

Yeah, what makes you think Wine Country is conservative OP?

Carmel maybe leaning a bit right since it is so monied.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by songbirdsmile

Thanks for the replies so far, everyone!

I've mainly been looking into places in Sonoma and Napa, but was curious if they really fit the bill and if there is anywhere else I should consider. I quite liked Sacramento when I visited, but I think the city itself is too woke for me. I also wonder if Sac and its surrounding towns/suburbs are too hot in autumn?

Also, if it helps, I love the architecture of Carmel but I think the weather would be too dreary year-round for me. I like a lot of sunshine.

Finally, if it helps even further, the main place I would be traveling to during the holidays and such is San Diego, where the rest of my family lives.

I don't understand this comment about Carmel. How is it dreary and lacking in sunshine, other than morning fog, maybe? But coastal towns aren't going to have the seasonality you want. That doesn't seem to be a high priority to you, since you're considering locations that don't have it. (Sonoma) Or maybe NorCal's seasonality is enough for you, compared to SoCal. It's all relative.

[Cloudy Dayz]

Originally Posted by songbirdsmile

Hi, all. Curious if there are places in California that meet the following criteria:

1.) Experiences a true autumn - cool temps in October and November (even better if it starts in September), low humidity, abundant fall foliage

2.) Historic, beautiful architecture

3.) Politically conservative or moderate, OR at least not in-your-face woke liberal

4.) No more than an hour from a major airport

Thanks for any suggestions!

#1 is difficult. Even in Northern California hot Summer temperatures last well into October.

Your best bet would probably be South Lake Tahoe. It gets four seasons and the temperatures start dropping at the end of August, and it doesn't warm up again until June.

[Wile E. Coyote]

I lived on the Monterey Peninsula from approximately 1981 to 1984. OMG you do not know what fog is until you live there. I'm not sure if it is the same now as it was then.

[sav858]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

I don't understand this comment about Carmel. How is it dreary and lacking in sunshine, other than morning fog, maybe? But coastal towns aren't going to have the seasonality you want. That doesn't seem to be a high priority to you, since you're considering locations that don't have it. (Sonoma) Or maybe NorCal's seasonality is enough for you, compared to SoCal. It's all relative.

It's more than just the morning and can be all day many times. The Northern CA coast is pretty dreary overall.

[sav858]

Originally Posted by Cloudy Dayz

#1 is difficult. Even in Northern California hot Summer temperatures last well into October.

Your best bet would probably be South Lake Tahoe. It gets four seasons and the temperatures start dropping at the end of August, and it doesn't warm up again until June.

There's nothing historic or beautiful about South Lake's architecture lol.

[songbirdsmile]

Hi, again.

I'm looking into Wine Country (Napa and Sonoma) and am wondering what places might best meet my criteria:

1.) Beautiful autumn season; abundant fall foliage; fairly cool temps in October and November (it looks like pretty much everywhere in Napa and Sonoma fit this, but any places that are better than others?)

2.) Dense, walkable downtown

3.) Beautiful architecture (historic or unique are a big plus)

4.) Lively community / a lot of things to get involved in (for reference, I'm a 28-year-old single male, would like to meet other young people, eventually get married/settle down)

5.) Conservative, moderate, or at least not in-your-face woke/liberal

Thanks for any suggestions!

[MechAndy]

About 30-35 years ago the wife and I had an inside line on a sweet deal for a 5 acre parcel that had a major fixer upper/tear down bordering a large vineyard.
I did some digging and was turned off by the neighbors using crop dusters.
You might see how much of an issue that is where you look.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by MechAndy

About 30-35 years ago the wife and I had an inside line on a sweet deal for a 5 acre parcel that had a major fixer upper/tear down bordering a large vineyard.
I did some digging and was turned off by the neighbors using crop dusters.
You might see how much of an issue that is where you look.

That was a long time ago. Times may have changed. There's been a somewhat more recent movement (20-ish yrs?) in Wine Country toward environmentalist wine-growing. I don't know how many growers are on board with that.


OP, you might extend your search southwards a little toward Vallejo (just a little!), and include American Canyon and north Vallejo (bordering AC). Nice developments, mediterranean architecture, residents trending toward conservative and/or moderate, but you can check it out for yourself.

[Cloudy Dayz]

Originally Posted by sav858

There's nothing historic or beautiful about South Lake's architecture lol.

I was referring to climate only. I don't believe there is any other city in California that will meet the OPs requirements for climate.

As for historical architecture, there are some historical buildings around Lake Tahoe. How beautiful they are or are not is subjective.