Living in SoCal- How Does it compare to SF?
 

I'm trying to be more specific in my titles!
My dh and I both work from home and after 20+ years in Oakland I'm ready for a change of scene. I always enjoy my visits to LA but I know that's quite different from living somewhere.
The thing that I dislike the most about N Cal is the weather (the cool foggy summers make me crazy!).
There are other issues as well... maybe it's just time for a change now my kids are grown.
If I were to consider a move, what areas would you suggest, given that there is no commute to consider? Cost is an object!
I prefer somewhat of a "small town" vibe and don't want to be too far from the ocean.
Thanks!

I love the feel of Carlsbad - feels like a small town to me - and its right on the ocean
however it cost is a concern- I think real estate is expensive .

I moved from Northern CA to Southern CA a few years ago. Traffic is actually less than the Bay Area since there are no bridges to traverse and there are multiple freeways that parallel each other.

You can't get much smaller town than Avalon on Catalina Island. There's only golf cart traffic.
If you want to be close to historic architecture and culture check into Orange, CA (small historic downtown) and Pasadena, CA (historic downtown but larger).

If price is a really major consideration the mountain communities of Lake Arrowhead, Big Bear and Idyllwild are still reasonable.

Also, if you go inland just a bit from Oakland you don't get the summer fog. One of my favorite towns in the Bay Area is Sunol just east of Fremont. Another cool small town in the Bay Area is La Honda but it is very foggy (and cold).

Well welch, not all of N CA has the weather that you have in Oakland, trust me! I live in Vacaville and some summers going outside it like walking into an oven.

If you don't have to commute a lot of people like Ojai (south of Santa Barbara and inland via Hwy33 for about 20 minutes). I don't know how the prices would be for you however. A small "artsy" town.

Thanks, everyone!
I am aware of the temperature difference on the other side of the hills. I think I'm just looking for a real change.... And I do love California.
I live in Rockridge so my home, though tiny, is worth more than it might be. I don't want to go inland as far as Big Bear.
Keep the great ideas coming!

Depending on what you can afford, and these suggestions are really a shot in the dark w/o knowing that, I would say that Pacific Pallisades---which is surprisingly actually part of LA---has a small town vibe and is right on the ocean. Also has the advantage of all of LA (relatively) being on your doorstep, especially since you can avoid commuter hours.

Brentwood--also an LA neighborhood--has some of that small town feel and may be a tad less costly than PP.

How about Poway in San Diego County? Definitely a small town feel and there's a wide range of prices for real estate.

Also, in addition to Pasadena, there's Claremont which is a very nice little college town a bit further east.