Cruiser tires. Still loads of 26" cruiser (and BMX type) tires being made. Definitely heavier and slower than 700x38s, but semi-slick cruiser tires have a lot of beginner inspiring grip and do well on off road trails without having to get off road or gravel tires.
For me, it would depend on the bike type whether I'd want 700x38 or 26x2.3.
An urban/town/commuting/hybrid type bike? Give me the 38s or bump it up to as wide as 44s.
A cruiser or old school MTB? Give me some semi-slick 26x2.0 to 2.3 tires.