How is Orcutt? (Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Stanford: houses, theatre, private schools)

[phree_spirit]

I've been observing many of these posts for a few weeks now, and everyone has been very imformative and friendly. I have to ask, however, is the SLO coastal area really that chilly? Deeptrance, you mentioned that sunbathing is not really an option in this area (Cambria to Santa Maria), does this hold true in the summer months? I come from Connecticut, and I've come to despise the snow. I understand I would not have to deal with it in this region of California, but I do like the heat in the summer!
Basically, hailing from Connecticut as, I can handle not going to the beach for much of the year. But in the summer, I want it HOT! Is there a tradeoff: cooler summers that don't get too hot, but mild winters that don't get too cool? Should I consider inland where it gets hotter, maybe SLO itself, or Paso Robles, perhaps Santa Maria? Also, I like to spend time outdoors, and GreatBasinGuide, you mentioned in another post some of the hiking destinations around SLO. This may be a silly question, but are there any trees to hike about in? I understand that my standards are perhaps too high...
I've also looked into the surrounding Santa Cruz communities, like Felton, Boulder Creek, Ben Lamond, etc. This area does seem to have everything I'm looking for: mountains, beaches, trees. As far as the beaches, does this region support swimming without donning a wetsuit? I know that there is great surf, but this is also relative...
Anyhow, you folks have been very imformative with some of my previous questions, and I'm just looking for a "silver bullet" which I hope still exists in your grand state.

Thanks,
Rob

[greatbasinguide]

Hot,,, SLO gets warm,, Paso and Atascadero get plain hot.

Consider trees,, much of the hilly country is chapparal, impenetrable brush 5 to 20 feet tall,, but consider that like the ocean,, out in the ocean there are islands,, in the Chapparral are islands of trees, typically oaks,, but also pines of various types,, and up by Big Sur you can hike in redwood forests,, the oak studded grass lands of the Central Coast are the most beautiful landscapes in the world,, to my eye. and I live in the tall timber of the Sierra Nevada

[Marty McG]

I've just relocated my 'home' from San Leandro, CA (too congested) to Santa Maria (SMX)/Orcutt - actually my property rights moved. Have a rental prop now in Orcutt...long story short, long retired, need to plan a home base, and an Orcutt native invited me to 'jes come home w'me, you'll love the place, it's paradise...', and that was about 18 months ago. I was going to spend the summer between San Luis Obispo and Lompoc looking, had generallly decided on the area. TAxes and living expenses are moderate to high, but I'm willing to pay for the lifestyle.

Researched weather and hazards to living. SMX/Orcutt passed those tests, and I looked for a nice big house with enough land for an RV pad, some space...had dreams of acreage, strawbale house, several hookups; but finances prevailed...finally found a quarter acre JUST outside SMX city limits in SBA county, 50-year-0ld neighborhood with a few plankowners still living there, EVEN! I'm at approximately 300' ASL.

Now, I've owned 14 residences over my working life, so I'm fussy. MY first item was climate; don't ever want to be cold again! So, SMX's average year round temp is 68 degrees, and the locals start fainting from the heat when it gets close to 80 summers! (This is a river valley, given to overnight clouds, clearing mid-morning, and a lovely stiff coastal breeze by mid-afternoon to keep temps moderate. The only DOWN side I'VE found is an inversion in cold weather that tends to keep wood smoke from chimneys AND BBQs (big deal in SMX!) down where you breathe it...so don't have wood smoke allergies!) And summer, if you need more heat, just cross Hwy 101 eastbound and go til you get warm enough, won't be long!

Local gardeners tell me there's a HARD freeze every 20 or so years. There's a 50-year-old king palm in my front yard...so...and a somewhat younger queen in the back, ancient roses...everything grows in the valley, great farmers' markets, great fresh meet, a couple of great local supermarkets with local foods...at least three crops of strawberries are produced locally each year!

Still a friendly small town to me after residing in large metro areas most of my life; about 90,000, the size of the city I grew up in in NH, and folks are still very friendly. Like much of CA, there's a substantial Hispanic population, many 4th and 5th generation like the French-Americans I grew up with in NH...just spanish instead of french, so I'm learning spanish.

Orcutt IS going to get a LOT larger; some 6500 residences scheduled to be built in the area over the next few years, shall be interesting. Vandenberg AFB is about 20 south of Orcutt, and should remain the west coast spaceport ad rocket base for many more years...

If you wanted reasonably priced housing, you shoulda been here 5-10 years ago, but the SBA prices are spreading northward as folks commute down there to work.

The Elks' Lodge of SMX is 3rd largest in the US, very active in community affairs, hosts big public rodeo in early June; lots of veterans' groups and a new veterans' clinic supposed to open this fall ('06); a fun aeromuseum sponsors a very good airshow end of August. Lots of community organizations to volunteer with, lots of churches, too. There are at least two community theaters, a large community college with free classes for seniors, many of the 'big box' stores along 101. Several movie theaters.

Several nice parks, bike and walking trails all over, classic cars abound, several senior centers, and several good private grade/high schools; public schools seem well managed; crime is everywhere but local police work hard! Not any worse here than any other small city...

Of course, the beach is out at Guadalupe, but it's only a 40-minute drive? up to Pismo and some of the greatest clam chowder in the YOU-nited States!! And I've had a lot of clam chowder over the years.

There's a Children's Museum, a nice new Y with pool (winter swimming out doors!), kids' sports leagues, board and bike paths, at least ONE disk golf course, and of course, regular golf courses. "Sideways" was filmed about 25 miles south, wineries abound.

And the famous SMX Tri-Tip BBQ Roast Beef and ribs - well, I've never eaten so much beef in my life as I have this past summer...it's UBIQUITOUS! City had to pass an ordinance to limit the number of charities barbecuing up and down Broadway (main drag) on weekends to SIX! Big plates of very good beef, salad, salsa and pinquito beans and garlic toast for $6-7, YUM! And the 'cook your own' steak, rib, fish and chicken BBQ at the Elks on Friday nights - WELL!

NO tsunamis, hurricanes, snow, tornadoes, floods (above the river bottom) and as far as I can determine, no significant earthquake faults NEARby.

boohoohoo! I miss Santa Maria! I'm spending winter on the Colorado river near Parker, AZ - jest aint the same! I know I'll think of a dozen more things to mention, but...I gotta go!

Marty

[winesister]

One thing that I thought was odd in all the discussions about Orcutt and Santa Maria is the Wine Country. Santa Maria Valley Wine Country is one of the best in the world producing world class and noteable Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The Coastal breeze, cool evenings and generally awesome weather makes it an ideal place for vineyards to flourish. The east/west mountain ranges extending over to the coast is unique. It allows for the mild weather that we have here.

The area around Cottonwood Canyon is beautiful. Just wait until spring when the vinew are popping out, the hills are alive with green growth and the tourist haven't started coming over yet. There is no place around that can compete with that.

You mentioned that you are an outdoors person who likes to hike. If you go to a private beach called Point Sal you can hike all the way out to the point, have the place to yourself, fish, camp and enjoy nature. You have to plan on a hike of about 3 miles.

I have lived here in the SMV for over 25 years and I love it when I hear people (snobs) from SB or SLO knock Santa Maria. It keeps our population in check and doesn't allow anyone here that doesn't fit in to the laid back, hospitable people that are proud to call the Santa Maria VAlley HOME.

[greatbasinguide]

ssshhh don't tell anyone about Point Sal... Incidentally, my father and a friend were swept out to sea at Point Sal in canvas kayaks about 1938,, Rip tide. The eventually paddled back in, but were sorely frightened.

[ghost123]

What about good schools in the area? I have a six-year-old daughter and my family is considering to buying a house in Orcutt. Are there good public and private elementary schools in the area? What about public and private high schools in the area as well?

Thanks,

[Dean Trails]

Originally Posted by winesister

One thing that I thought was odd in all the discussions about Orcutt and Santa Maria is the Wine Country. Santa Maria Valley Wine Country is one of the best in the world producing world class and noteable Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The Coastal breeze, cool evenings and generally awesome weather makes it an ideal place for vineyards to flourish. The east/west mountain ranges extending over to the coast is unique. It allows for the mild weather that we have here.

The area around Cottonwood Canyon is beautiful. Just wait until spring when the vinew are popping out, the hills are alive with green growth and the tourist haven't started coming over yet. There is no place around that can compete with that.

You mentioned that you are an outdoors person who likes to hike. If you go to a private beach called Point Sal you can hike all the way out to the point, have the place to yourself, fish, camp and enjoy nature. You have to plan on a hike of about 3 miles.

I have lived here in the SMV for over 25 years and I love it when I hear people (snobs) from SB or SLO knock Santa Maria. It keeps our population in check and doesn't allow anyone here that doesn't fit in to the laid back, hospitable people that are proud to call the Santa Maria VAlley HOME.

How is the health care in the area? The whole Central Coast sounds wonderful but if I have to drive to Santa Barabara to see a good doctor then that won't make my paradise well.....paradise.

[CA central coast]

Originally Posted by Dean Trails

How is the health care in the area? The whole Central Coast sounds wonderful but if I have to drive to Santa Barabara to see a good doctor then that won't make my paradise well.....paradise.

I've read some your other posts concerning health care. What's concerning you?

[CA central coast]

Santa Maria does get knocked around a bit. But that's not only from snobbiness. Santa Maria has issues that the other communities around here don't have. Crime and gangs. Now, is Santa Maria dangerous? No, I don't think so. I have been to parts of town that I wouldn't walk around in at night and separtates SM from some of our other communities in my book. I would certainly live in Santa Maria. But I would never raise a family there, no way. The truth is, whenever you hear of someone being killed around here, well it's usually in Santa Maria. Santa Maria is probably 1000% better than L.A., but for "our" area, it has it's issues. Don't get me wrong, I like Santa Maria. I'd live in Orcutt most likely, but it's just a "better" Santa Maria. I wouldn't live in Santa Maria unless retired though, and that's srticly because of my kids.

[Dean Trails]

Originally Posted by CA central coast

I've read some your other posts concerning health care. What's concerning you?

I have had many relatives and friends move to an area without fully researching health care situation and then regretting their actions. Three of them died tragically due to lack of sufficent/ adequate care. Two friends have spent their lives comuting from their dream areas to health centers that can manage their chronic diseases. For some reason nerve disorders seem to be on the rise. I don't know if it is the water, our food or global warming.
Anyway, if I seem to be and endless loop I just want to make sure I pick the right area as I hate moving!
And, it appears the opinions on this forum vary so much it is great to get as many as I can.
Sorry to cause you any grief!