Carpinteria

On Carpinteria's abundant sunny afternoons, locals stroll Linden Avenue, usually in flip-flops, and stop for a burger at The Spot. Guarded by palm trees and lined with galleries, cafes, and clothing stores, the avenue is the heartbeat of "Carp," as residents refer to Santa Barbara County's southernmost town.(Spanish explorers named the area La Carpinteria―the carpenter's shop―when, in 1769, they saw Chumash Indians splitting redwood logs for seagoing canoes.)

Proud of its safe shores and year-round mild weather,Carpinteria is known for being family friendly, says Tami Robitaille, co-owner of acclaimed Robitaille's Fine Candies. After 12 years in another location, in 1989 she moved her shop to Linden,where, Tami says, "We've experienced the avenue's renaissance.Stores moved in, cafes opened, and people started spending time―and money―here. Kids ride their bikes up and down the street, people leave their cars unlocked, parents stop for coffee-talk while their children play together."

At Zookers Cafe, farmers sit alongside real estate agents,gardeners next to artists. "There is no 'other side of the tracks'here," says Mary Nabi, of Coastal Properties. "Wealthy retirees may[buy] a cottage next door to an avocado farm worker [whose family has lived there 20 years]."

"Our town is eclectic and artsy, one of the surviving California beach communities," says Fran Puccinelli, owner of a collectible sand gifts store, SOAP. "I came here 26 years ago, because I saw its potential for revitalization. I practically grew up on Linden. I had The Coffee Grinder, then a deli, and now this store. As I've evolved with my business, Carp has grown up, but it hasn't lost its original flavor."