Do you have to go to Carpinteria? I'd say you give West or East Beach a shot (near Stearn's Wharf). Use 3 inch Big Hammers on 1/8, 3/16, or 1/4 oz. Jig Heads on medium to light tackle (6-8 lb. test). Just walk up and down the beach and cast and reel (vary up the retrieve speed until you get bit). These beaches usually have a very small surf making it ideal for the first timer. And you can usually get a few halibut and quite possibly some legals.