What's the best place in California to move and live on a small farm?

My family is looking to relocate back to CA in 3 years and I’m wondering where we might find a small town that’s within a 30 minute drive of larger town (at least 35,000 people). Other attributes we’re looking for are:

- affordable land
– scenic
– not extremely hot Summers

Yes we know CA real estate is still costly. Yes we know CA is in financial trouble as a state.

We might consider OR, WA, AZ too.

Thanks!