Go Back in Time at One of California’s Last Great Beach Towns

Carpinteria is a charming town where you can see ocean wildlife, dine on a budget and just relax!

Linden Avenue, Carpinteria, California. Christopher Reynolds/Los Angeles Times/TNS

By Christopher Reynolds From Los Angeles Times

CARPINTERIA, Calif.—We’re going to talk about Carpinteria’s beach, its tar, its weed, its avocados, its tallest pine tree and the herd of alpacas in its hills. But first I should admit that I’m biased.