Either close to water/beach, or in scenic/mountain area.

Natural elements...beaches, mountains, national/state parks, etc.... have always had a tourist drive to them for many many years.

I'm in Dickinson county (Iron Mountain)  I'm a Resort owner and multifamily investor.

Appreciation does also exist in Oakland, it just doesn't rise as fast as properties in hot markets like Mountain View or Palo Alto. 

Lurker here for years, 24 doors across 8 properties all LTR in Colorado mountains.    

Imagine acquiring over 800,000 square miles of land, stretching from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains and from the Gulf of Mexico to the Canadian border, for a mere $15 million — a touch below $440.3 million in today’s dollars.Basically 1/500th of a penny per square foot.This strategic acquisition not only expanded the United States’ territorial footprint but also unlocked immense potential for economic development and westward expansion.For savvy investors of the era, the Louisiana Purchase represented an unparalleled opportunity to capitalize on vast tracts of fertile land, abundant natural resources, and access to key waterways like the Mississippi River.

This one in the NC mountains, and we are renting it out as a STR.

No matter where you are in this area, you will get some type of view of the mountains, the sunrise, and the sunset.

Secondly, technically, to qualify for a second home loan, it must be located a specific distance from your primary residence or in a vacation or resort area such as near the ocean or by mountains.

Some food for Thought.Hardie board Mountain Sage........