Los Angelization of Central Coast

Having grown up in Los Angeles during the 1950s, having lived in Santa Maria attending Cal Poly at San Luis Obispo during the 1960s, and having resided in San Diego County for the last 18 years, I am wondering if that makes one a quasi-expert on the “Los Angelization” of the entire California coast?

There certainly has been a massive movement out of Los Angeles, both north and south. Nowhere more than San Diego County can this mass migration of Angelenos be found. San Diego, formerly a sleepy little Navy town, having more in common with Tijuana than Los Angeles, has dedicated itself to imitating its neighbor to the north with accelerated yuppie fervor. Within a decade there should be no more open land in San Diego. Within three decades decay should be setting in as is happening in beautiful Los Angeles.

Now we read in your paper that Los Angelization is moving north into San Luis Obispo County--it certainly was inevitable (Part A, Jan. 7). Where else could it go? It’s too wet to the west, too dry to the east, and San Diego County has already prostituted itself to the south. But still untouched is beautiful, pastoral, quaint San Luis Obispo. Remember the old ad “Come North for the Slo”? Times aren’t changing “slo,” they’re changing rapidly.

Since I have also lived and traveled extensively in Northern California (I mean the real north), I think I will just keep my memories and experiences to myself. God forbid the “sophisticated” hordes from Los Angeles venture farther than 200-300 miles from home.

PHILLIP A. HONISCH

San Diego