With its rolling hills, Mediterranean weather and picturesque estate wineries, the Santa Barbara County wine trails are excellent places for oenophiles to enjoy superlative wine in an idyllic setting. Unfortunately, this relatively remote location tends to lull unsuspecting tourists into a false sense of security. Thousands of visitors will travel to the Santa Barbara County each week this summer. The sheer volume of visitors mixed with dozens of unlocked cars creates an atmosphere that is perfect for enterprising thieves.

No trip to the Central Coast is complete without sampling Santa Maria barbecue. This unique style of barbecuing is the locals' claim to fame and the source of great pride within the community. While each family has its own well-guarded specific marinade and method of preparation, there are a few standard prerequisites. The cut of meat must be tri tip--some families also barbecue chicken, but this is considered an auxiliary meat to the tri tip--and it must be cooked over a fire that is comprised of red oak wood. Not white oak, mesquite or charcoal--only red oak will do.

If you're in the mood for seafood, the Cracked Crab in Pismo Beach is sure to satisfy any craving. Located just off of the 101 on Price Street, the Cracked Crab features the freshest seafood the Pacific Ocean has to offer and a bevy of savory house-made sauces. For oyster fans, these raw oysters are the best you'll find in all of Pismo Beach; they pair perfectly with just a dab of cocktail sauce and a quick squeeze of lemon. The Crab Bisque is another menu item not to be missed, with abundant chunks of crabmeat and a sweet, savory flavor. It's hard to go wrong on the Cracked Crab menu.

As a native Angelena, I'm accustomed to being prohibited from bringing my dog on most public beaches in Los Angeles. I know that there are a few--namely, the Dog Zone in Long Beach and Thornhill Broome Beach up near Point Mugu, and of course Leo Carrillo--but a handful of dog beaches don't go far in the second most populous city in the United States. Along the Central Coast, however, dog owners are taken a bit more seriously by city governments.

The Central Coast of California is known for its agricultural prowess; it provides much of the fresh, organic produce sold in supermarkets throughout the United States. Each week, there are dozens of farmer's markets from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara that showcase the latest, freshest yields straight from the farm. Of these, one of the most renowned is the Saturday Santa Barbara Farmer's Market. The best Saturday value of all, however, lies just down the street from the regular farmer's market.