Lived in the bay area, LA and San Diego for extended periods. If I were remote, focused on family, and somewhat price conscious, first choice would be San Loui

Lived in the bay area, LA and San Diego for extended periods. If I were remote, focused on family, and somewhat price conscious, first choice would be San Louis Obispo: beaches, nice downtown, college town. My next choices would be San Diego (north of La Jolla) or Santa Barbara. If you are less price conscious and want to move north, then Half Moon Bay or Santa Cruz. Can find more remote places too that are amazing if you want that, like the Big Sur area or north of the Bay Area. Tend to like the places mentioned more than Carlsbad or Ventura, but those places aren’t bad by any stretch. Been to Costa Rica, it’s nice, but more expensive than people think and issues with crime, like don’t ever leave your house unattended. Brother goes to Nicaragua to surf a lot, sounds like Costa Rica but cheaper and less stable. Mexico still feels too dangerous to me. About three months ago our nanny was scared to go home because of the crime. When I was in the military not too long ago, you needed a General’s approval to go. Some areas are probably good but doesn’t strike me as family friendly, more like retirement and vacation compounds. No idea about Panama, but all sound like an adventure. Good luck and have fun. Remote sounds better by the day.