Becoming a Digital Nomad, Santa Paula Style
What Happens When the Power Goes Out. Also, Community Happenings
Today, Ruby and I are digital nomads, bounced out of the home office by a scheduled power outage. SoCal Edison had planned the outage a few weeks ago but didn’t bother to publicly announce it until, oh, sometime this morning. (We were notified in advance by phone, but because Edison’s communications are so slipshod and inconsistent, and the outage wasn’t included in its list of scheduled outages, we had no idea if it was really happening or not.) Too, the public alert didn’t hit the Nextdoor app until 15 minutes after the outage had already begun. “Oh, by the way, your power’s out!”
Thanks?
That’s SoCal Edison for you: keeping customers in the dark since 1909.
Anyhoo…
Yours truly remembered to keep the laptop on hand for out-of-office work. But did she remember to get the car out of the garage before it was locked in by a non-functioning electric garage door opener?
Suffice it to say, Ruby and I are getting our steps in.
The day is allowing us to reconnect with some of our favorite places in town and enjoy the warm smiles of familiar faces.
It’s also giving us a chance to check out which Santa Paula locales make the best work from home (WFH) alternatives. (Hat tip to Dale for the idea.) If you’re among the dwindling ranks of those who are allowed to work from home at least a few days a week, you know that finding alternative spaces to your home office is a delicate dance between being able to enjoy real human interaction and being able to actually work. This list will undoubtedly be updated in the future, but here’s an initial rundown of “The Best Places for Remote Work in Santa Paula.”
Flight 126 / The Hangar Bar and Grille
While I checked email, I enjoyed the tri-tip and egg special for a whopping $15, and watched takeoffs and landings, pilots fueling up and doing pre-flight checks. And then gave my well wishes to restaurant staff. As it turns out, based on news and social media accounts, the closing of these favorite restaurants may be due to more than a “technical glitch,” but the details remain unclear. According to their manager, Luis, yesterday was their busiest day yet, as Santa Paulans turned up in droves to show their support and bid farewell. It was so packed they ran out of seating!
Also on hand were staff from the Santa Paula Times, so look for their coverage in coming editions. Both Flight 126 and The Hangar are set to shut down for good on July 27. Be sure to stop by before then if you can.
From there, Ruby and I hoofed it up 8th Street to…
Rabalais’ Bistro
What pairs well with work email? An Arnold Palmer. And once you’ve signed off for the day? A Bloody Mary.
Ruby and I sat out on their patio and fielded updates from our client, despite the lack of public WiFi. At Rabalais’, you’ll have to rely on a cellular connection / personal hotspot for internet service. I was able to review some smaller assignments but couldn’t complete a click-through (of internet links) because of the slow connection.
Rabalais’ Bistro is ideal for those with solid cell service — or those who are reviewing hard copies or going full analogue with a notebook and pen. It’s also a great place to swap stories and local gossip with staff and fellow patrons.
BEST FOR: Social butterflies and raconteurs, but it can also work for introverts who are able to focus despite ambient noise. If you’re an early bird, their pastry counter and coffee bar open at 7:00 AM. (I believe full kitchen service starts at 8:00.) Their indoor seating area provides air-conditioned respite from hot summer days and cozy warmth during the winter.
Parque 1055
This is where you can pair delicious food and drink with reliable public WiFi. Ask the staff for the WiFi password, and enjoy a low-key atmosphere in which to work or just take a break. The WiFi even works out in the courtyard.
BEST FOR: Anybody, really. During the day, it’s usually quiet, and the courtyard feels like an oasis. As a bonus for anyone who works odd hours, they’re open 7 days a week. Because they also serve as an event space, keep an ear out for planned events, which may cut into the peace and quiet.
Extra Bonus! Luis from Flight 126/The Hangar is completing the hiring process and will soon be a manager at Parque!
The Glen Tavern Inn/Enzo’s Italian Restaurant
Whether you’re a hotel guest or a patron of Enzo’s Italian Restaurant, the Glen Tavern provides a cavelike retreat from the world — and an opportunity to commune with the hotel’s legendary ghosts. The lobby is a comfy place to work and people watch. It’s also dog-friendly, while the restaurant is not. The public WiFi password is available from hotel staff.
BEST FOR: Anyone working after the traditional close of business. Right now, Enzo’s opens at 5:00 PM, and this is when you’ll notice a shift in the first-floor vibe. There’s heavier foot traffic going in and out of the restaurant, sure, but it’s also when the shadows deepen and the place feels smaller, cozier, and more intimate. (The bar does have two big screen TVs, but they’re usually not blaring and are easy to tune out.)
Note that Enzo’s will open at 4:00 once happy hour makes its heralded return. (I was not given a precise date.) In the meantime, enjoy the return of beloved bartender and raconteur, James! He is by far one of the best parts of sitting at the bar. It’s great to have him back after an extended absence!
