I've seen brick Tudor style houses in Hillsborough, Menlo, and Monte Sereno. They aren't common and are usually older from either the 1930w-1950s or if more recents back from the 80s-90s.

You will occasionally see a one off basic Colonial style house in a neighborhood full of re-modeled ranch houses.

On the peninsula, the old old wealthy neighborhoods like in San Mateo Park or Baywood neighborhoods: https://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sale/San-Mateo-CA/pmf,pf_pt/15521194_zpid/13699_rid/globalrelevanceex_sort/37.569817,-122.338369,37.560708,-122.352789_rect/16_zm/?

Burlingame has older neighborhoods too - this house has a basement! Super rare https://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sale/San-Mateo-CA/pmf,pf_pt/15512891_zpid/13699_rid/globalrelevanceex_sort/37.598023,-122.364982,37.579812,-122.393821_rect/15_zm/

RWC between el camino and alameda de las pulgas. There are some there that are practically mansions.

Then of course Atherton, Menlo Park, Palo Alto but if you are priced out of SF then you would be way priced out of those towns.

Piedmont

Alameda, Berkeley, and Oakland all have Colonial and Victorian homes (in addition to many traditional California styles). There was a strong East Coast influence on most of the older cities.

There are a couple brick colonials in Atherton if you want to drop serious $$$. As a California native, though, I would encourage you to embrace the West Coast architecture. It really does make more sense for the climate and geography and a lot of it is quite stunning and very livable.

Architecture develops in a region for practical reasons. Even if you could find a brick colonial in CA, you wouldn't want it. Not just earthquake safety but air circulation and controlling temperatures, and fitting into steep hilly lots.

Bungalows, southwestern / mission, and contemporaries are popular there because they suit the climate and landscape.

As people note, you have to look at the older cities. Other places not mentioned yet are Alameda and Vallejo, which both have some old victorians: https://www.redfin.com/CA/Alameda/1726-Central-Ave-94501/home/1201340 There are also a few developments that built newer, victorian-style homes: https://www.redfin.com/CA/Hercules/2021-De-Anza-Ln-94547/home/2108106

There are lots of gorgeous craftsmen homes in parts of the bay area, although they are usually quite expensive: https://www.redfin.com/CA/Berkeley/1124-The-Alameda-94707/home/1245774

https://www.redfin.com/CA/Oakland/3834-Beaumont-Ave-94602/home/1654409

Very little brick for the earthquake reasons mentioned.

I would figure out commute from where you are working first, then see if there are any local styles of housing stock that will work for you. There aren't too many of the housing styles you've described, and many of those are either quite expensive and/or a long commute from many jobs.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:VIctorians? Have you been to San Francisco?

OP here- sorry, I meant to say not right in San Francisco city itself, but in the greater Bay Area. Sadly, I cannot afford anything in SF city!

Brick construction = seismically unsafe, unless you want to splash out lots of money on cross-bracing.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:VIctorians? Have you been to San Francisco?

OP here- sorry, I meant to say not right in San Francisco city itself, but in the greater Bay Area. Sadly, I cannot afford anything in SF city!

There are a few outside of SF. You have to go to the older cities. There are some in San Jose, Oakland, Berkley, and then further out near Sacramento. Other than Sacramento, everywhere else near SV is going to be *SUPER* expensive.

Anonymous wrote:VIctorians? Have you been to San Francisco?

OP here- sorry, I meant to say not right in San Francisco city itself, but in the greater Bay Area. Sadly, I cannot afford anything in SF city!

Anonymous wrote:Roos in Marin county has an east coast vibe. Right down to the beautiful trees that turn colors in the fall. but it is $$$

sorry that should say ROSS

Roos in Marin county has an east coast vibe. Right down to the beautiful trees that turn colors in the fall. but it is $$$

Look at the Montclair neighborhood in Oakland. Maybe not exactly what you want, but some houses could be close.

VIctorians? Have you been to San Francisco?

Are there any areas of the Bay Area that have more traditional East Coast home styles? Like Victorians, brick, Colonials?