Same thing WE did, long ago. You'vee gotten some good ideas from the folks here, but it depends on TWO things, if you have kids and if you have a fat wallet. If you have both.....IRVINE, NEWPORT BEACH.
If you have NEITHER, check out northern CA where the forests meet the Pacific. It's not cheap, but you can pull it off.
If you have limited funds, check out some of the places mentioned above, Corona, Fullerton, etc.
Arcadia is a well kept secret if you fall right in the middle.
San Francisco is crowded and THE most expensive. Just north is Mill Valley, B E A U T I F U L.
It's so different out here, like a dozen states in one...if I knew more about yous guys I'd be able to dial ya in. Contact me if ya want.