The Central Coast has dining experiences that are far more laid back than the rest of the Coast. Veggie burgers and fries are served without frills but that doesn't make them any less delicious. I can still make it to a health food store to get chia seeds, and everyone there is far less pretentious than Whole Foods or even Trader Joe's. I think the attitude here is truly Californian-- actually laid back and oddly welcoming despite my outsider status. 

A friend (I have one!) here got me hooked on chia seeds, the quintessential Aztec superfood (or so it says on the label). When put in a liquid, the seeds turn gelatinous and are easy to consume. The benefits? Tons of Omega-3 fatty acids as well as fiber and protein, and hey who doesn't need that? My suggestion is to mix 1.5 Tbs of chia seeds with coconut water. The seeds really have absolutely no flavor so mixing them with a juice allows for a better consumption experience. I have yet to try the chia seeds in recipes as many websites urge me to do-- for now I'll stick to butter in my brownies, thanks.