[annyokie]

When I lived in Santa Barbara in the late 70's, we had many homeless as well. And, yes the weather was a big draw. There were always slews of guys from Boston or Philadelphia who had decided to "go West, young man!" working as bartenders and busboys or waiters, as well.

I think the myth-making machine of Hollywood creates a reality to the weak-minded. I grew up in the Central Valley and always knew the "make it in Hollywood" scenario was nonsense. Unfortunately, when I lived on the East coast I can't tell you how many people, young and old, got starry-eyed when I told them I was from California.

They were under the impression that it was wall-to-wall movies stars and we all palled together.

[Mase]

"When I lived in Santa Barbara in the late 70's,we had many homeless as well."
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Santa Barbara was just about as perfect a place anyone could live during the late 70's when I attended school there. The huge homeless problem was the only major (along with home prices/rents) drawback to what was otherwise a wonderful city.

Living in Isla Vista was an eye opener for someone who had never heard of SSI and had never imagined so many people could be content sleeping in a field at night and drinking beer in a park all day.

Last visited there in 1997 and the problem had only become worse. The number of homeless had grown exponentially and their aggressiveness was scary. How a moderately conservative city, so reliant on tourism, could continue to treat this problems with kid gloves for so long amazed me.