WHY Cheap and tasty moles, goat tacos, and chicken soup with rice and avocado.

WHAT To understand why Southern California is such a great place to live, head to El Texate in Santa Monica. Here you are, just a few blocks from the Pacific, eating a Oaxacan meal for less than $12, and it tastes equally good whether you live in a $5 million north-of-Montana chateau or a rent-controlled south-of-Pico shack. The soccer-watching bar makes a decent margarita on the rocks.

WHO Ocean Park locals, and not too many of them—the shabby-but-shady patio and intensely colorful dining room are typically empty.