The California coast is gorgeous but my wife and I are looking at Hawaii.  Don't wish to deal with mud slides.

Hawaii is indeed a beautiful place. I lived there for many years on and off, and still go for annual visits to see family. But could I live there again? That's a hard question. I love California now because I can jump in my car and go to Palm Springs  especially during the winter, or to Carmel for its great restaurants and art. And something special happens when I come back up here along California's northern coast. I drive through miles of prestine forest, not miles of housing developments; you slow down for elk herds, not endless stoplights in heavy traffic. And I love the seasons here, the miles of beaches to walk my dogs, and just generally a slower pace of life, until I am ready for another jaunt in my car. Maybe next time north to Vancouver Island? The possibilities are endless from here. And, yes, if I want to go to Hawaii, there's an airport right here and,  with a connection in San Francisco, I will be there later that afternoon. I guess I just want it all!

Discover the most sought after kind of property, Ocean Front Real Estate, here on the Northern California coast. Just a few miles south of another beautiful area, the Oregon Coast, our rugged beauty extends throughout Del Norte County with its Redwood National Park, Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park, Smith River National Recreation Area, Lake Earl State Park and Wildlife Area, plus miles of coastal beaches, rivers, trails, and harbors that offer an infinite variety of outdoor activities. The county seat, Crescent City, offers a vibrant community whose lifestyle is in tune with the dramatic scenery that surrounds it.