which city is better - Salinas or Santa Maria?

[JetJockey]

Originally Posted by the city

I guess I see more in my age group.
Boomers amusement park that also has a arcade and batting cages, the mall, the edwards cinema, the beach and dunes in guadalupe, the fairgrounds, the bowling alley, the skating rink, the crossroads at santa maria strip mall, a couple good night clubs, and then then the santa maria raceway.

Like Monterey, Santa Barbara, Berkeley, and San Francisco. San Luis Obispo is a hippy city. The most hippy-ish I think. Since SLO lacks some big-box stores, but it won't be long until SLO gets Target, Lowe's, Kohl's, and Macy's. The SLO Promenade 2 plans to get Lowe's and Larkspur Hotel, Prefumo Creek Commons will get Target, and the other shopping center next to Costco will be Kohl's. I'm hoping soon that Macy's will replace Gottschalks because Macy's is better and more urbanish.

SLO is beautiful just the way it is. Big Box stores and giant hotels are just going to make the area into Orange County which is rarely good. If you're looking for strictly entertainment, Santa Maria is your best bet... San Luis is for people who enjoy the outdoors, like small family owned businesses (and a few 'larger' businesses) but mostly just want to be happy (for the most part..ha).



You seem to like starting threads and then proceed to relate them to SLOs 'need' for more giant stores, and to do away with nature and the environment around this gorgeous area. Why?

[the city]

I dont expect for much development. Just the SLO Promenade 2 and Prefumo Creek Commons be built. And then I hope for Madonna Plaza to have Mervyn's be replaced by a two story Macy's. And then I hope for Atascadero they get Super Wal-Mart for tax revenue to build the new movie theater.

[Franklyn]

Originally Posted by the city

Monterey is a 30 minute drive to Salinas. And yes, Salinas can be cool depending on the area you live in............

I often leave my South Salinas home and arrive near the Pebble Beach lodge area in about 22 minutes, after passing through Monterey on Hwy 1, so don't know where you get the "30 minute" time figure unless you're considering daily commute time traffic - which in any area can be a bummer. If you can plan your travel times things can go quite quickly.

And we consider the climate to be "room temperature year round", but some of the locals do think it "too cool" during the summer. After living in the San Joaquin valley for so many years I just chortle over that.

One nice thing about living here is the convenience to Silicon Valley and the bay area, with its extensive shopping and air travel options. Not saying Santa Barbara isn't nice, just that there's a world of difference. But your choice is your choice. Best of luck.

[hunbar]

Salinas or Paso Robles??? which is better? Thoughts? Looking to move. Must drive to King City for work but do not want to live there.

[Snort]

Salinas or Paso Robles???

Paso. Now, come on. Give us harder questions.

[Dean Trails]

Originally Posted by Winston Smith

Santa Maria to Santa Barbara = 75 miles.

Yep.......about an hours drive in my Aston Martin! And, my passenger gets there stirred not shaken!

[Dean Trails]

Originally Posted by the city

I dont expect for much development. Just the SLO Promenade 2 and Prefumo Creek Commons be built. And then I hope for Madonna Plaza to have Mervyn's be replaced by a two story Macy's. And then I hope for Atascadero they get Super Wal-Mart for tax revenue to build the new movie theater.

Forget the Central Coast!!!!!!

With your need for shopping and night life go to Newport Beach! Revel in the shopping extravagance of Fashion Island!!!!!!!!! The clubs and the nightlife abound!!!!!!

Go for it!!!!!

[Franklyn]

Originally Posted by hunbar

Salinas or Paso Robles??? which is better? Thoughts? Looking to move. Must drive to King City for work but do not want to live there.

Check out the River Road area south of Salinas between Hwy 68 and Gonzales, particularly closer to the northern end. Good housing, great schools and a safe area, and you're not limited to only Hwy 101 in the case of traffic tie-ups. Plus you can week-end anywhere you wish around Monterey Bay.