Carpinteria, CA - Overlooked?

I am summering with my wife Jeannie in Carpinteria, CA, just south on 'the 101' from Santa Barbara. Confusing to most, including me from time-to-time is while the main direction of US-101 is north-south, here in this part of Santa Barbara County it runs east-west. This section of coastline oddly runs east-west on an overall greatly north-south Pacific Coast of California (and Oregon and Washington). So the main street in Carpinteria, Linden Avenue (above) runs north-south and wonderfully ends at the beach in the Pacific Ocean!

Linden is a very pleasant tree-shaded and pedestrian-friendly street, with all sorts of shopping and eating readily available. It is much less than a mile walk from the center of the shopping areas to the beach!

In summer the beach is well-used yet not overly crowded, although I tend to stay away on weekends. Also very popular is Carpinteria State Beach, also at the ocean-end of Linden Avenue.

We've camped there with our fun 1967 Aristocrat Travel Trailer and had a grand time and close access to great views from INSIDE the camper! As you might suspect, reservations are a must.

And along the short walk on the way to the beach is the spot for lunch. Actually, it is The Spot - long known for great burgers and shakes. In the summer I try to arrive by 11:30 am on The Spot, or lines can be long! The Spot is also popular with campers, as it is a close walk for them as well.

Interested in Southern California and can't afford the virtually $1,000,000 minimum housing costs in Santa Barbara? Try another community close by - that might save money, right? Guess again. This is a very close-to-downtown neighborhood in Carpinteria.

And at the corner there are two houses for sale - one a rather ordinary-appearing duplex; one unit a 3/2 the other a 2/1.

The second home is much more charming, a craftsman-style bunglow, also a 2/1. The combined lot size is 10,000 square feet - less than a quarter acre for three living units.

And while my photo of the handout might not be easily read, trust me. It's a good deal. Live in one and rent out two. $1,630,000 - Heck, that's less than $550,000 per dwelling! Where else could you share a house with another family for only a half a million dollars - each.

I like Carpinteria - it has nourished my life this summer as we search for a next adventure. There is always something interesting on the beach, and being in town just feels "right". Folks are folksy and tourists are well, tourists. If I could find employment sufficient to match my housing needs (actually very modest), Carpinteria could well be my next adventure. Alas... our budget for housing is somewhat south of $550,000 - even in a town where north-south and east-west get so confusing.