Thank you all for the replies. Very helpful. We will also look at those areas in La Jolla and Solana Beach.

Shadowfax it does depend on where you are working ( if you’ll have a commute). Traffic patterns the gg bridge and the bay bridge all present challenges in trying to drive around the bay area. Mill Valley is nice, lots of families but expensive. Marin (where Mill Valley) has lots of outdoor activities and people that enjoy them. Many nice people there but also a large contingent who thinks they are smarter than the rest. Walnut Creek is pretty far east of SF….not really a suburb of SF (I’ve been here 11 years and never been to Walnut Creek). Lafayette and Orinda in the east bay have great schools, nice, slightly more affordable homes, lots of families and good weather. Other areas on the peninsula that have lots of families but are expensive are Burlingame, Palo Alto and Los Altos.