The best fruit market on the coast? (San Diego, Santa Barbara: renting, buying)

[TreeTomato]

I'm a huge fanatic of all things fruit - especially the more exotic and tropical varieties. I really need to know which city along any part of the California coastline, whether it be in Sonoma, Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara or whichever county... has *the* biggest selection of fruit in its local farmers market?

This is important to me, as I'm basing my move on the best availability of fruit since it's important to my health. I imagine the answer would be some place in So. Cal, but which coastal city is the champ of selection and variety? Thank you!

[CA central coast]

My guess is San Diego.

[TreeTomato]

Hey CA central coast, you live is Los Osos, CA. I'm really interested in that city because I like San Luis Obispo, but didn't want to move to a college city. I like how it's near hiking trails, and closer to Monterey than other cities. Does it have a decent fruit selection, and are there any "long-hair", "hippie", or basically naturalist types (vegans etc.)?

Any other suggestions between cities with decent access to hiking trails, but within bike-riding distance from the coast (say up to 10 miles)?

[CA central coast]

Originally Posted by TreeTomato

Hey CA central coast, you live is Los Osos, CA. I'm really interested in that city because I like San Luis Obispo, but didn't want to move to a college city. I like how it's near hiking trails, and closer to Monterey than other cities. Does it have a decent fruit selection, and are there any "long-hair", "hippie", or basically naturalist types (vegans etc.)?

Any other suggestions between cities with decent access to hiking trails, but within bike-riding distance from the coast (say up to 10 miles)?

Los Osos is only a 10-12 minute drive to San Luis Obispo. If you've been here, then you know Morro Bay and Los Osos are just across the bay from each other. In so many ways, they are polar opposites. Los Osos is quirky. There are SO many ex-hippie, naturalist types here. It's a little too cool for the super exotic. But we have a lot of citrus and avocado grown in the area. Have you ever been to SLO's Farmer's Market? It's kind of the gold standard. I admit, I'm not familiar with the markets all over the state. SLO's is recognized nationally. But, there is a lot more going on there than just produce sales. Entertainment, music, protestors...all kinds of stuff. Can't beat the hiking in Los Osos. We have Montana de Oro State Park, you can hike out there forever. Morro Bay State Park and Morro Bay's beaches are minutes away. Not to mention how close we are to the HWY 1 coastline, Big Sur and Monterey. It's hard to beat that beauty anywhere in the world, and it's right here.

Cambria is VERY nice. The pines meet the ocean. But it's a bit of a distance to SLO. There is also Cayucos, right next to Morro Bay. There is a small off leash dog area on the beach there. Between Morro Bay and Cayucos. If that's any interest, Cayucos is very close to Los Osos as well.

Your other considerations would be what we call South County of the Five Cities area. Arroyo Grande, Pismo Beach, Grover Beach, Oceano, Shell Beach, Avila Beach. A lot of the hiking down there would be confined to beach and dunes. But,there is plenty of it there.

Los Osos sounds like your place though. Hippies and hiking. Los Osos is also a great place to kayak in the back bay.

[TreeTomato]

That's a really great response, CA central. You've provided me with lots of valuable insight.

I know San Luis Obispo is a college city, but does it have many hippie-types who aren't in college there? I'm reluctant to move to cities like Arcata and Chico, because I fear every 9/10 people I meet would be in college which sparks different conversations than what I'm after...

[CA central coast]

I believe SLO's population is around 45-50K, Cal Poly has about 18K? students and Cuesta College around 10K? They obviously don't all live in SLO, but a lot do. Go to SLO's Farmer's Market, you'll see some hippies. Do they all live in SLO? I don't know, but they're there. SLO has a lot of yuppies as well. It's very expensive, both buying and renting. I'd say SLO has it's mix of hippie-type, yuppie and college student. People from SLO are different than people from Morro Bay/Los Osos. They always have been. I've never lived in SLO, and don't go there except for doctor's visits and dinner/movie. I really only notice the college kids on the weekends downtown. But maybe that's normal for any college town. I personally prefer not to live in SLO. Having said that, I can't imagine a better place to live in the U.S.