Santa Maria

Santa Maria

Santa Maria has its own style of barbecue (tri-tip cooked over red oak with pinquito beans and salsa), which is a legitimate regional tradition that locals will fight you about. The surrounding Santa Maria Valley is becoming serious wine country (especially Pinot Noir and Chardonnay). It's quieter and more affordable than its central coast neighbors. The Pacific is right there.

Omaha

Omaha is the steakhouse capital of the prairie, home to Berkshire Hathaway (Warren Buffett still eats at the same Dundee diner), and the Henry Doorly Zoo, which is consistently ranked among the best in the world. The Old Market downtown is brick-and-cobblestone charm. The Reuben sandwich claims to have been invented here, and the locals will fight you on it. Friendly to a fault.