LOMPOC, Calif.- Hundreds of tourists from France are making their way to the Central Coast and it's all thanks to an online community of critics.
"Everything is different here, life is different, the way you are speaking is different as well, your accent, your life way, the food as well so I'm excited to eat and try everything." says Arinud Mellel, a French tourist.
So, why Lompoc? It all started on the website Yelp. Comments like, "this is the best Filipino food that can be purchased in southern California," attracted the tourist group to travel from Paris to Lompoc and try the restaurant, Samantha's Filipino and American Diner.
"We're getting a tour bus every other night and there's going to be anywhere from 45 to 50 people per bus," says Warren Steele, Co-owner, Samantha's Filipino and American Diner.
Warren Steele says when he and his wife opened the restaurant 2-years-ago the economy was rough, which didn't help their business.
"We've made it through most of the rough times and we're hoping that things just keep getting better," says Steele.
"We've been trying to promote our city for a number of years now and just recently people are starting to discover it," says Bob Lingl, Lompoc City Council Member.
"We're accepted, we're recognized, we're already on the map and that's a huge accomplishment for us," says Lida Steele, Co-owner, Samantha's Filipino and American Diner.
For many of the tourists, it's their first time they've been to America, let alone the Central Coast.
