<p>I wish I could give you good advice. I can only tell you where not to go.</p>
<p>La Jolla is the worst choice. It is beautiful but very urbanized and expensive. The several tons of beached squid that greeted me there didn't benefit my opinion of the place. Also watch out for "red tides" of algae. They shoot underwater visibility in the head and leave a crimson residue to match. Oh, and the guy flying the model helicopter? He is watching your balcony. Just letting you know. . .</p>
<p>Second up is Bodega Bay. The best thing this NoCal pit serves up is rotten seal. In its "temperate" climate, you'll have to don a dry suit before taking a few laps in the pool. Shark sightings are rare, mountain lion citations less so. From what I've heard, more than half of the town's population has been eaten by the cats. That is, Bob had his legs bitten off. If you're a film buff, you can visit the set of The Birds. Substitute gulls for pigeons and the movie wasn't too far off.</p>
<p>The third place on the west coast not to visit is Redmond, Washington. This one doesn't merit an [url=<a href="http://www.microsoft.com%5Dexplanation%5B/url">www.microsoft.com]explanation[/url</a>].</p>
<p>Best of luck, citygirlsmom. I hope you don't need it.</p>