[Finny]

Idyllic ... visually, yes, very much. I grew up in that area. A house my grandfather built is about two miles from that Denny's; the house where my grandmother was born still stands, about 4 miles from that Denny's. My folks and a TON of relatives are still in the area. I've eaten at that Denny's many times.

People will be surprised to know that drug abuse among teens and young folks in "idyllic" towns like Cambria, Pismo, SLO, Morro Bay, etc., is extremely high. There are many factors:

1. In small towns, kids are much more subject to peer pressure because in a small community, there is NO chance for anonymity.

2. There's not NEARLY as much to do in a small town, even with involved parents who care. Kids get bored and do drugs.

3. Parents who've immigrated from the city and who have such a rose-colored-glasses view of their new "idyllic home -- such an ideal place to raise kids!" let their guards down more than they would in a city, and they let their own prejudices blind them as to what's really going on.

4. We think spoiled kids in "wealthy" towns like Newport Beach are elitist? WAIT until you get a load of the kids (remember, I used to be one) who have the most elitist, snobbiest attitude of any group alive with regard to where they live and how verily superior they are to people from L.A. or any other "city folks." It is disgusting and very, very deeply entrenched. Believe me, I know. That superior attitude breeds ugly behaviour.

In short, places that look "idyllic" often have beauty that is only skin-deep.

[Bernard Marx]

In short, places that look "idyllic" often have beauty that is only skin-deep.

You are so right! The place is beautiful but...I lived there 12 years and ran into more blatant political corruption, police abuses and outright thuggish behavior than I ever have in the 'big city.' The residents include some of the meanest, most elitist, narrowest-minded people I've ever encountered. Suing neighbors seems to be the sport of choice unless someone can figure out a way to build right smack in front of someone else's ocean view. You get extra points for that. My 'friendly' neighbor poisoned my 30-year-old avocado tree because it interfered with his new home's view.

Meanwhile the grungy little town of Pismo proper boasts some of the worst dregs of society. Never get arrested there! Going to jail in that town with its gung-ho undertrained cops can be life-threatening! Some of the worst years of my life were spent in that nasty little place.