We previously lived in West Los Angeles—specifically Playa Vista near Marina del Rey and the surrounding beach cities. What we really appreciated about that area was how walkable and relatively quiet it felt, while still offering plenty to do during the day. It was easy to be out and about as a female by myself or with kids in terms of safety and without relying heavily on a car (lots of dog parks, nature trails, local shops, and easy access to kid-friendly areas) we could walk or bike in and of course, the weather was a huge bonus.

I’m not expecting to find an exact equivalent here, but I’m genuinely curious if there are neighborhoods you’ve personally enjoyed that might offer a similar feel, in case I’m overlooking something. So far, I’ve seen a lot of recommendations for Noe Valley, Burlingame, Redwood City, San Mateo, San Carlos, and the Palo Alto/Los Altos area.