Santa Maria, CA Area Guide

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Family friendly Public transit is accessible Walkable to grocery stores Yards are well-kept Lots of parks Walkable to restaurants Friendly neighbors Safe at night Pet friendly Streets have sidewalks A quiet area Sense of community

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Santa Maria, CA

Santa Maria is a city that is surprisingly known for BBQ, and this local favorite's fame has spread far beyond the Central California Coast. In addition to offering delicious smoked meats, the city provides its residents with affordable housing and good schools. Santa Maria has a population of over 100,000 making it one of the largest cities in the area. Its population is larger than neighboring San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara. Santa Maria is a great place to raise a family thanks to the many outdoor activities that the area has to offer. There are parks and playgrounds where your kids will be able to run wild and free.

Allan Hancock College and Laurus College are two institutions of higher learning that also provide a large number of employment opportunities to teachers and administrative staff. The local area high schools also provide a lot of job opportunities to people in the local community. Speaking of schools, parents speak highly about Juan Pacifico Ontiveros Elementary School, Santa Maria High School, and Joe Nightingale Elementary. Each of these schools are located in nice areas in the city where families should consider renting or buying a home.

In general, Santa Maria is a safe place to live. The area does not have nearly as many problems with traffic as some of the other cities in California. The city also offers public transit services for those who want to leave their car at home. Busses and shuttles serve a number of fixed routes throughout the city and beyond. Bicycle is also a popular means of travel in and around the city thanks to the beautiful weather that blesses the city throughout the majority of the year.

Guadaloupe-Nipomo Dunes is one of the area's leading attractions. Locals love to escape to this sand-filled area of the city to go for hikes along the miles of coastal trails. Presqui'ile Winery is one of the best in the area, and wine lovers from near and far come to sample the vintage offerings that are sold in their store. The Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum gives kids hands-on opportunities to learn about science and nature in a setting that is designed specifically for them.

The area has a number of restaurants and shops that are quite popular. The Swiss Restaurant is a long-time favorite of Santa Maria that offers a delicious taste of the Old World with a couple of modern additions. North China Restaurant is a good option for those who have a craving for some General Tso's Chicken. Jaffa Cafe on Broadway offers diners classic comfort dishes that are perfect after a late night in the office or a long night out on the town.