Our California Adventure

Our vacation is over and done. While we aimed to have fun, the main purpose of this trip was to scout out Northern Californian places to move. Where we went --
San Francisco - Stimulating, chaotic, dense, expensive. The only way we could safely live here is if one of us had some cushy job at a major corporation. Once I arrived, however, it was easy to see its charms. Our gracious hosts were Beth and Eric, who showed us their lovely house, then took us out for a late lunch of French crepes. Then we went to Amoeba records and the SF Giant Robot store for some cool shopping. As we drove over the Golden Gate that night, I saw the most beautiful sight of the trip: a full moon over the bay, glittering city to the right, our destination to the left.
Santa Rosa - I re-saw the underrated Smile recently, a film that makes kitschy mid-70s Santa Rosa look like The Dorkiest Place on Earth. Luckily, it's not that dismal. We visited the Charles M. Schulz Museum and checked out the funky storefronts in the railroad district. There was also a hulking old mall that looked interesting. The soulless car dealers and chain stores along the highway didn't get as much scrutiny. A livable, if indistinct, place.
Eureka (link) - I was looking forward to Eureka, but once I arrived it seemed a little blah, not quite clean enough, down on its luck. You don't get any sense that it's near an ocean. BUT the people were great, the Old Town district was gorgeous, and some of the circa-1930s homes were the most affordable ones we found. A tossup.
Arcata (link) - Fantastic. As soon as we saw the funky little shops, the cute central park, and the exceedingly courteous drivers we wanted to live here. Arcata is a progressive college town (the only U.S. community to openly defy the Patriot Act) with a casual atmosphere. Housing was a little pricey, however.
Trinidad (link) - This was our number one pick. Tiny, gorgeous cliffside village with beaches to walk to. I would dearly love to live here. Probably too expensive, though. The population is only 311 - does that look like a town that has any need to grow?
Ferndale (link)/Fortuna - Two different towns right next to each other. Ferndale is all pretty Victorian houses, spic-and-span like out of a storybook. Lovely, if somewhat rural. Fortuna was the polar opposite of Arcata - dingy and dull, with a dispiriting air of oppressiveness.
South San Francisco - Loved it! While there, we visited Christopher's friend Joe. Joe owns a fantastic '50s home with vaulted ceilings and gobs of modern collectibles. Nice guy. This area seemed suburban, but fresh and clean and near enough to the city. I would love to live there. Actually, I want Joe's house. And I want to work at Pixar.
Posted by mhinrichs at February 14, 2004 05:03 PM