San fran is probably the best city in the US for me. Carmel and montorey both gorgeous too. LA is an awesome city the mistake people make is going to the likes of Hollywood boulevard as it attracts all the beggers etc as tourists are easy targets. I'm a big fan of hermosa beach and seal beach as quiter spots. Further south in orange County and the likes of Huntington beach are probably the area I'd stay if I went again.