This is a photo of the main street in a beach town called Carpinteria from a couple years ago. It’s 10 miles from Santa Barbara. It’s where our friends live who my husband met when in training a million years ago at Merrill Lynch’s corporate headquarters. He told me he met a nice guy and they invited us to go sailing with them in Santa Barbara. Since then, way before kids, we’ve been fast long-time friends.
The past few years, we’ve noticed changes to their quaint, quiet little town. It was a sleeper and the buildings and mom and pop businesses seemed to be living straight out of the 1950s. But nothing ever stays the same.
Welcome to major freeway and infrastructure changes. A few large tech companies moved in, and our favorite businesses and entire blocks were torn down.
This was a hotel in 1912. We knew it as a family friendly restaurant that was affordable. It featured grills in the middle of the restaurant where you cooked your own steak, halibut or chicken. Dinner came with sides of rolls, salad or soup, baked beans and a few other things. When my son and his girlfriend (now DIL) were at UCSB, we took them to dinner there and they could eat their fill. No limit to the amount of food served.
It’s now closed and it sold. No telling what the next owner will do to it.
Our favorite restaurant in the world closed. Called Sly’s after the chef James Sly, it was our go to special occasion restaurant. Sly was friends with our Carpinteria friends, and he’d often comp us a seafood tower or his famous sundae. Unfortunately, he died a few years ago and his wife did not want to keep the restaurant going. We miss James but have great memories of him and his delicious food.
Rincon Surf Shop was one of our favorites. They had everything from surfboards, boogie boards, really cute beach wear, bathing suits, flip flops and custom designed t-shirts. I learned this trip that the owner said adios and retired. It was a one of a kind shopping experience. My daughter and I made lots of trips to that store to get unique clothes for her high school days and flip flops for me.
This was our alltime favorite spot for Mexican food. In the back was a kitchen with the best breakfast burritos with egg, cheese, sausage and potato. We’d buy them to go (since there’s no tables) and take them to picnic tables to devour at the beach.
Last year, we were shocked to see the building torn down and the entire block under construction. Like I said. Nothing stays the same. However, I was not prepared for what replaced the fun shops on that block:
Linden Square
It’s a food court called the Public Market and has a few other shops like expensive home goods and a yoga studio. The developer has one in downtown Santa Barbara, too. The upscale food court includes a gourmet pizza place offering $25 small pizzas. There’s a $16 a burger restaurant and Mexican stand with $20.50 burritos. All made fresh with the finest ingredients, of course.
I showed my son and daughter the photo of Linden Square and they were not happy. They said it was a glorified food court that could be found in any upscale suburbia. It doesn’t fit the funky but hip vibe of the Carpinteria of old of which they have so many fond memories.
We used to go camping every spring break at Carpinteria State Park in our tent. Sitting around the campfire at night was so much fun. Easter egg hunts in our campsite was a tradition. So many great memories. Of course, those days are gone as well.
What have you noticed lately has changed and will never be the same?
It’s a shame isn’t it? They say you can’t go home again and sadly I’ve found that to be true…
So true. I think of my small home town in Washington state is unrecognizable, too.
People wanting to work and contribute to society in a meaningful way. I don’t know if that’s what you were going for …
That’s a good point, but not what I was thinking of. It’s more to contemplate.
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Yeah, that answer works for me, too! A society where paying a debt is optional, bosses who demand results are just bullies, and expecting promotions every 30 days.
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I’ve seen significant changes in Phoenix metro over my lifetime, many mirroring what you’ve describe. However, albeit heavy, LA makes a great point about people (seemingly) no longer wanting to contribute to society in a meaningful way. That topic could warrant an entire series of posts…
Absolutely. Also, you’ve written about how much the Phoenix area has changed since you grew up there. For me it’s sad to such a throw back to the past like Carp change so much. I wonder what the people approving projects are thinking. They don’t realize the town is losing it’s charm and may no longer attract the tourists or businesses.
Yes, that is so true. We’ve lost a lot of gems here in recent years. Now, when we travel, all the cities look the same–same building style, stores, etc. I think everywhere is losing it’s charm, all for an improved bottom line. It’s really quite tragic, in ways we can’t even quantify.
Exactly! Why would they want to change Carpinteria into San Jose or anywhere else?
Because it is a new generation of techies moving in. If it not a “Starbuck’s” cup, then you will lose brownie points on your next job quarterly slap-down.
Exactly. They like architecture that belongs in San Jose or any expensive suburb across the country. They don’t mind paying more than $20 for a $4 burrito.
They are EXPECTED to pay $20 for a burrito. Just ask Bill Gates.
You made me laugh!
I agree so much with this statement. My kids live in the Bay Area and they can’t believe my photos of the food court in Carp. They said it’s like any city in their area. They are beyond disappointed and sad.
I love Angus in that last shot. So perfectly posed! Your kids are adorable too, of course! Those are some big changes. Love hearing all your memories!
Thanks! We loved our annual camping trips to Carpinteria State Beach. At least I have great memories with all the changes going on in this once quaint town.
It has destroyed the charm of a small town and turned into a copy of any big city.
Exactly. Why ruin a unique town and turn it into any suburbia?
Money is behind every so called development.
Absolutely. But my friends who live in Carpinteria say the shops and restaurants are busy now, but wonder when the summer tourists leave if they will be out of business? Time will tell.
Yes, that’s true.
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I grew up close to a small, funky, beach community that didn’t have any chain stores. When a Target Express and Starbucks first tried to move in, there was a huge outcry. I visited that community not long ago and saw that both chains had finally wormed their way in. It is sad but I’m afraid, Mom & Pops are a thing of the past.
Times have definitely changed. There are still a few unique shops and restaurants in Carpinteria, but the tech companies moving in have changed a lot of the atmosphere.
The only thing that remains the same is change, sadly. Thanks for sharing your photos and related memories 😊
That’s so true. We always have change and it may not be the change we want. I’m glad you enjoyed my photos and stories.
Ummmm..you damn well know my answer will be out of the norm, so here goes: Integrity. It has changed to “it is not a lie if you do not catch it”. I miss the old integrity.
So do I!
So many changes in the 40 years I’ve lived in Durango. Some good. Many just growth adding too much traffic. Just got an REI store to compete with the local outdoor gear stores. Not really pleased about that.
I can only imagine how many changes in 40 years where you live. Yes, I prefer the local stores, too, rather than big chains.
The biggest change I noticed is in me. I’ve gotten old, and I’ll never get younger. The good thing is that my good memories have stayed fresh.
This year between ankle surgery and Covid, I’ve really slowed down. I understand because I feel really old. Yes, I like all my memories too.
The changes in our immediate area are not as great as the changes in areas of Florida that were still open to development (about 15 miles away). Driving is more crowded and more developments. Harder to get around. So you choose your day carefully including working location, shopping, meeting friends, etc.
I understand that. The traffic in this little beach town is so much heavier. We stay away on the weekend.
Sadly, in places where things never change, they often go downhill, by people move away, less jobs offered, etc…Seems it’s a losing battle either way.
Nice that you and your kiddos have so many memories of this ‘once’ quaint little place.
I never looked at it that way, but I think you’re right. Things can’t stay the same. Yes, my kids have great memories. Then my son went to UC Santa Barbara and met his wife here, too.