It's still a working man's town, not artsy-fartsy like a lot of beach cities. It doesn't feel small town, what with LA surrounding it, but you can feel safe walking the streets at night. A lot of restaurants that sling hash and bars that are established neighborhood dives. Most of the people I know who live there rent or have inherited their homes since real estate prices have gone through the roof. My friend from Idaho was amazed at how many white people live there, although classifying them as "Surf Nazis" is unfair. It has a "locals only" feel, for sure, but the locals are friendly if you get to know them. - Sat Feb 28 2009, 22:10