CENTRAL COAST | CA
International Travel Tips Good Eats Event Calendar Retirement Savings Blogging for Profit Community Resources Service Directory 4 6 10 12 14 18 20
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TOP 5 Mistakes to Avoid on Your Next International Trip
OVERPACKING OVERSPENDING
NOT ENOUGH RESEARCH CARRYING VALUABLES
NOT NOTIFYING THE BANK
Whether it’s your first international trip or your fifth, traveling is all about discovering the unknown. It’s no surprise that there can be problems along the way. Extra planning and learning from these common travel mistakes can help you focus on enjoying your trip without worrying.
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Mistake #1 is overpacking - too many packed items can be hard to organize and be uncomfortable to travel with. Mistake #2 is overspending - sticking to a realistic budget and leaving room for unexpected expenses is always best.
Mistake #3 is not doing enough research - it’s always safe to do extra research when traveling abroad including weather, laws, and international costs. Mistake #4 is carrying valuables with you while exploring - pick pocketers are notorious for targeting tourists, so keep your valuables locked away safe in your hotel if possible. Most importantly, mistake #5 is not notifying your bank of your international travel plans - otherwise, your debit or credit card may be blocked due to “unusual activity” unfortunately if you don’t do this ahead of time.
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Restaurants
Toma Restaurant & Bar
Sunny eatery featuring Italian cuisine & a sizable wine list in a compact space with harbor vistas.
324 W Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone: (805) 962-0777 | Web: tomarestaurant.com
Laili Restaurant
Lamb, seafood & veggie dishes get a contemporary twist at this elegant Mediterranean & Afghan spot.
101 Cooper St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Phone: (831) 423-4545 | Web: lailirestaurant.com
Zookers Restaurant
Californian fare includes seafood, steak & locally sourced produce in a warm, casual space.
5404 Carpinteria Ave, Carpinteria, CA 93013
Phone: (805) 684-8893 | www.zookersrestaurant.com
Have a restaurant you’d like us to feature?
Send in a recommendation for your favorite restaurant to be added to our list.
Be sure to mention why you think they are worthy of being featured and include a link to their website.
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COAST
Oyster Loft
Refined seafood, raw-bar fare, steaks & drinks served in beachfront digs with a patio & ocean views.
101 Pomeroy Avenue, Pismo Beach, CA
Celias Garden
Quaint cafe serving breakfast & lunch fare in a relaxed space with a garden patio.
1188 Los Osos Valley Rd # C, Los Osos, CA
Sushi Teri
Local outpost of a small casual chain serving Japanese cuisine & a wide variety of signature rolls.
970 Linden Ave, Carpinteria, CA
Oswald Restaurant
Happening spot for creative
American entrees in a modern setting with optional fixed-price menus.
121 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA
The Spot
Venerable counter serve with outdoor seating dishing up burgers, shakes & fast-food staples.
389 Linden Ave, Carpinteria, CA
The Lark Santa Barbara
Urbane eatery in a former fish market offers New American fare in wood-lined quarters & patio.
131 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA
La Casita Restaurant
Long-running Mexican eatery serving breakfast & classic entrees in a relaxed, traditional space.
2008 9th St, Los Osos, CA
Giuseppe’s Cucina
Quaint Italian restaurant serving familiar fare, including pizza from a wood-burning oven.
891 Price St, Pismo Beach, CA
Sylvester’s Burgers
Outpost of a small chain known for its distinctive burgers, including elk & buffalo varieties.
1099 Santa Ynez Avenue, Los Osos, CA
Delgado’s
Old-school, family-run fixture with a patio serving Mexican plates & creative cocktails.
4401 Carpinteria Avenue, Carpinteria, CA
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FEB 5
Baroque Festival
Baroque music opens the world of historic sound, and can lead both musician and audience on countless voyages of musical discovery. Learn more at scbaroque.org.
MAR 25
BlendFest On The Coast
BlendFest is all about rule-breaking, unconventional wines and creating unique, delicious flavors. Indulge in special blend pairings and savory bites crafted by passionate Paso Robles winemakers while taking in the iconic views along the California coastline. Learn more at visitcambriaca.com.
MAY 20
SLO PRIDEfest 2022
The weekend starts Friday night with an all ages Drag show (Hosts of the Coast) and rolls right into Saturday and Sunday with a full music line up on the main stage and a DJ Sound stage. Along with interactive art, selfie stations, photo booths and so much more. There will be Food trucks, Central Coast Brewery, wine, vendors, community resource outreach and an art show will take place. Learn more at slopride.com.
JUN 4
SLO Greek Festival
Be transported to Greece, authentic Greek food and pastry. Beer and local wine. Greek music and dancing. Performances by traditional Greek dance groups. Free admission and parking. Learn more at greekfestivalslo.com.
JUL 4
Annual Atascadero 4th of July Music Festival
This year, attend the Atascadero 4th of July Music Festival. General admission is free to the music festival, however, if you want to be closer to the music there is a reserved VIP area and VIP Plus to get to the front row. Don’t forget to bring your low back chair or blanket! Visit slocal.com.
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continued on page 16
FOUR TIPS to help you boost your retirement savings
1. CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR 401(K)
If you happen to have the benefit of a traditional 401(k) plan through your employer, you may be able to contribute pretax money. This can be a huge advantage to your retirement savings plan.
2. OPEN AN IRA
It is a good idea to establish an individual retirement account (IRA) to help invest in your future. You can do either a traditional IRA or a Roth IRA. Take some time to research both options and see what’s best for you.
3. AUTOMATE YOUR SAVINGS
A good idea to help you increase your savings even more is to set automatic payments each month. This will help you grow your money without even having to think about it.
4. SET A GOAL
Understanding and planning ahead of time how much you may need in the future not only can help you better understand why you’re saving, but it also can make the process more rewarding.
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SAVING 101
6 Most Profitable Blog Niches
Making money online with a blog has never been easier.
There are so many areas you can explore when developing content for a blog. Making a profit from doing this is definitely possible, but it is essential to make sure you are creating high-quality content to help you monetize. Here are some quick tips and ideas to help you get started.
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1
Don’t overestimate the value of digital marketing in today’s businesses.
SEO, email campaigns, social media, and influencer marketing are just some of the broad range of strategies used in digital marketing.
2
Digital Marketing Blogging for Profit
There are many valuable ways to write and help people make money online.
Some of these blog topics include freelance writing, working as a virtual assistant, and even starting your own online business.
continued on page 19
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AUG 2
Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music
The Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, even at a seasoned 48 years old itself, is all about the new—the here and now of contemporary works for orchestra. Learn more at cabrillomusic.org.
SEP 23
Monterey Bay Greek Festival
Join us this weekend for our 36th annual Greek Festival. The event is open to the public and admission is FREE. In addition to traditional Greek foods, the festival includes live music, dance, and Greek arts and crafts. Learn more at seemonterey.com.
OCT 8
Surf ‘n’ Suds Beer Festival
Sip beers from 70 breweries at Ventura’s San Buenaventura State Beach. There will be live music, food, merchant vendors, mega sized beer pong and more! Learn more at surfbeerfest.com.
NOV 4 Arroyo Grande
Surrounded by some of the greatest vineyards, beaches and cities in the world, the village of Arroyo Grande makes this an ideal location on the Central Coast to gather and share the love of entertainment creation. Learn more at slocal.com.
DEC 9
Winter Wonderland
Atascadero’s Sunken Gardens and the entire downtown will be transformed into a magical snowy paradise. There will be a massive snow slide made up of 75 tons of snow! There will be shopping and entertainment and even an appearance from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Invite your friends for some holiday fun! Learn more at visitatascadero.com.
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TRANZ CENTRAL COAST
Tranz Central Coast (TCC) uses outreach and advocacy to help transgender and other gender-diverse people live authentic, productive and happy lives in a safe and affirming community. Web: www.tranzcentralcoast.org
EQUALITY CALIFORNIA
Equality California brings the voices of LGBTQ+ people and allies to institutions of power in California and across the United States, striving to create a world that is healthy, just, and fully equal for all LGBTQ+ people. Web: eqca.org
GALA PRIDE AND DIVERSITY CENTER
The Gala Pride & Diversity Center advocates for the Central Coast’s LGBTQ+ community and prioritizes the individuals of the Central Coast in their everyday lives from helping someone new to the area to find connections to helping a person find support services. Web: galacc.org
PACIFIC PRIDE FOUNDATION
Pacific Pride Foundation proudly provides services to the HIV/AIDS and LGBTQ+ communities of Santa Barbara County. All of our programs are free or low-cost. Web: pacificpridefoundation.org
SANTA BARBARA GAY MEN’S CHORUS
We are a non-auditioned ensemble so anyone and everyone is welcome to join! Our rehearsals will be Monday evenings from 7:00pm to 9:30pm at the First United Methodist Church located at the corner of Garden and Anapamu. Web: www. sbgmc.org
THE DIVERSITY CENTER OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
Each year, The Diversity Center reaches approximately 10,000 individuals through our onsite programs, outreach and education events, our work with school-based Gay/Straight Alliances, and our Triangle Speakers program. We fulfill our mission to inspire and support every member of the LGBTQ+ community with a culture of wellbeing. Web: www.diversitycenter.org
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3
Health
& Fitness
Online fitness classes have become more and more popular over time.
There are many areas of fitness content to include such as workout videos, fitness courses, and one-on-one training sessions.
4
Finance & Investing
People are constantly seeking ways to manage their money better.
You can help people manage their money wisely in ways like saving for retirement or making the right investments.
5
Food Recipes
People love to learn about quick and easy meals and diets.
Getting creative with this is the fun part as you can put own twist on popular dishes or share innovative recipes.
6
Self Care
There are so many beneficial topics to create content on including routines, stress management, mindfulness, and journaling.
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Now more than ever, people are tapped in to their mental wellness.
20 | CENTRAL COAST | CA | ACCOUNTING Accounting A La Carte 13 ANIMAL CARE Capitola Veterinary Hospital 17 APARTMENT LIVING Tropic Shores Apartments back outside cover BAKERY Renauds 3 BEAUTY SALON Joanna’s Beauty Salon 2 DENTIST Central Coast Smiles 3 EDUCATION Monterey College of Law back inside cover FITNESS Fit4Mom 3 HEALTH Arroyo Medical Group 13 HOME BUYING Sea Haven 2 INTERIOR DESIGN RRM Design Group 8-9 LANDSCAPING Shoreline Landscape Design 17 LAW Harris Personal Injury Lawyers, Inc. front cover PUBLIC MARKET Santa Barbara Public Market 11 RESTAURANT Marisol 17 SENIOR LIVING Avila Senior Living 1 WEDDING BEAUTY SERVICES Salon Privado 11