In Santa Maria, diamonds truly are a girl's best friend – but we don't mean the sparkling kind. Instead, softball players here have been falling in love with the 22-acre Hagerman Sports Complex.
Midway between Los Angeles and Monterey, Santa Maria's drawing newcomers with affordable housing, good schools and expanding businesses in diverse arenas like technology, alternative fuels and agriculture. Wineries continue to bring manufacturing and tourism, and the food is also worth mentioning – Santa Maria is known for authentic Mexican fare and the region's trademark brand of barbecue.