Neighborhood Recs please! moving from CT

Hi Reddit - long term browser, first time poster. I am heading to CA in September with my 2 dogs, and planning on staying \~6-8 weeks. The goal is to find what area we want to live in permanently (aiming to move around January / February from CT). Ive narrowed down our search to Santa Barbara and San Diego and would love to rent a couple spots in SD while I’m out there to get a feel for the “day to day” in each spot.

So I would love some neighborhood recs in SD! For the most part I’m really looking to walk to as much as possible, and dog friendly is a must (the more dog friendly coffee shops the better). I’m 33, single, WFH. I’m an early riser who loves to hike/run, explore new little spots/coffee shops etc with the dogs, and sit on the beach with them and read. I don’t want to be too far in “the burbs” but would also like to stay away from a late night/more party leaning area.

I have family in Ventura and that’s too quiet/spaced out for me, if that helps provide any context. My dogs are incredibly well socialized, and love being out and about - they’re 60-70 lbs, and honestly they’re a massive driver in finding our final spot. But am also looking to be around a lot of people my age/ with similar interests. Picture of them here to gain some traction ☺️

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u/Curious_Friend_4014 — 9 hours ago
▲ 10 r/ImMovingToCalifornia+1 crossposts

1 month rental with 2 dogs 🆘

Hi Reddit - long term browser, first time poster. I am heading to SB arriving 9/11 with my 2 dogs, and planning on staying at least 4 weeks. The goal is to find what area we want to live in permanently (aiming to move around January / February from CT). I’d love to stay around the downtown area to walk to everything, and the parks, and be able to take a short drive to the beaches.

For some reason I am having the hardest time finding a 1 month rental that 1) isn’t a single room (I’d go crazy in a single room for 30 days), and/or 2) isn’t 15K for a month. Any suggestions on where to look outside of Airbnb and VRBO?

I do think the 2 dogs (both about 50 lbs) is what’s making it harder, which is fair. I have family in Ventura, but would really prefer to spend this month in a central area to really be able to see what our day to day could look like. Picture of them here to gain some traction 🙃

Side note: I’m also considering moving to San Diego, so hopefully can use any rental guidance down there too!

u/Curious_Friend_4014 — 10 hours ago