I was born on LI, lived there until I went to college, still have family living there that I visit often and vacation on the east end every summer - as well as now building a house there. I have more than 50 years of experience with LI.

And travel without a car is close to impossible. If you are willing to waste enough time and spend enough money you can get from one place to another - but it is time-consuming, irritating, almost impossible at off hours and not something anyone would want to do on their vacation.

It's nota small town, but a smaller city: Portland, Oregon. They pride themselves on their efforts to avoid car-centric development, and there are lots of parks, etc.

Also, Berkeley, California, across the bay from San Francisco, has good bus service and also BART rapid transit which can get you to SF easily. The University of California is there. Lots of walkable shopping areas. Very cosmopolitan, with many cultures and nationalities mixed in.

Thank You every body for your suggestions , I will write back after I ve finalized my plans. Happy Holidays!