I grew up "south of Salem and north of Eugene," and still have family in the area. After living in the SF bay area for the last twenty years I could never go back to the cold and wet.
In the last few years I have spent time in the Carson City- Minden area. Close to Tahoe, four hour drive to the ocean, Reno airport is close. The winters can get cold, but usually not for long, and the white stuff does not stick around. If the summer temps get too hot, Tahoe is a half hour drive.