Yeah, the commute isn't bad unless some idiot wipes out at the summit on 17 :)
I would have to second your recommendation of Santa Cruz if surfing is a priority. Unlike Pacifica or Half Moon Bay there is actually a "there" there when you compare SC to the other two locations. There is even a bit of local tech so the possibility of not needing to commute exists. In my previous startup I had three employees who commuted from SC to Mountain View and all of us were pleased with the arrangement. One other advantage of SC is that if your wife does not work she is less likely to go insane from boredom in SC.
I would have to second your recommendation of Santa Cruz if surfing is a priority. Unlike Pacifica or Half Moon Bay there is actually a "there" there when you compare SC to the other two locations. There is even a bit of local tech so the possibility of not needing to commute exists. In my previous startup I had three employees who commuted from SC to Mountain View and all of us were pleased with the arrangement. One other advantage of SC is that if your wife does not work she is less likely to go insane from boredom in SC.