The Santa Barbara, CA coast

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A travel journal to Santa Barbara by onequest

Kayakers Photo - Santa Barbara Biltmore Hotel, Santa Barbara, California

Quote: Santa Barbara is 90 miles north of Los Angeles, located on the Pacific coast where the mountains meet the sea. I've lived in this paradise that seems like a world away from the noise and pollution of Los Angeles.

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The Santa Barbara, CA coast

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Overview

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When in Santa Barbara, be sure to take a champagne sunset cruise or whalewatching cruise. Don't miss the beautiful Santa Barbara Mission and Presidio for historical insights. For nature lovers, swing by the Museum of Natural history and the nearby botanical gardens. Finally, get some great shopping in at the United States' most beautiful downtown mainstreet - State Street. There are many more things to see and do. I'll try to cover them all in this journal.Quick Tips: Santa Barbara is a town of fashion and fashionably late people. First the fashion - you will see glitterati in the grocery stores, department stores, and coffee shops. If you think you've seen somebody famous, you probably have....Read More

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Santa Barbara Biltmore Hotel

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Hotel

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The Four Seasons Biltmore Hotel is located on Butterfly Beach in Montecito. This property consistently receives 4 star ratings and 4 diamond ratings. The rooms are pleasant, but they really earn their stars in service and the resort activities. There is a tea room and bar, 2 restaurants, swimming pool, shuffleboard, putting course, tennis courts, a day spa, and several exclusive shops. Don''t miss their afternoon tea. Be sure to sit outside while having tea and keep your eyes open for a breaching whale in the Santa Barbara Channel. The rates are upward of $350 per night.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on February 6, 2001

Santa Barbara Biltmore Hotel
1260 Channel Drive
Santa Barbara, California 93108
(805) 969-2261

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San Ysidro Ranch

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Hotel

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San Ysidro Ranch is the most exclusive hotel on the Santa Barbara coast, where Jackie O. and John F. Kennedy spent their honeymoon. The ranch has horseback riding on their private trails and a swimming pool where you never need to worry about having a wet towel. There are two restaurants - Stonehouse and the Plow and Angel. The hotel offers mostly private bungalows that run upwards of $400 per night during the winter. The ranch is not on the beach, but rather in the Montecito foothills. The property covers 500 acres of trails, but the bungalos and restaurants are all centrally located. Don''t expect to meet the rich and famous here. People visit the ranch to get away from the Pa...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on February 7, 2001

San Ysidro Ranch
900 San Ysidro Lane
Santa Barbara, California 93108
(805) 969-4100

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San Ysidro Ranch Stonehouse

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Restaurant

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San Ysidro Ranch's Stonehouse is located in Montecito, just south of Santa Barbara. To celebrate milestones in our lives, we go there. I've never had better service than at the Stonehouse. To celebrate my first bonus, we started the meal with Beluga caviar and lemon blinis that were flown in from San Francisco that day. Complimentary Russian vodka complimented the caviar. For dinner, my husband had a succulent lamb shank served with seasonal vegetables. I had a vertical dish, where the entire entree is shaped like a mountain. We drank Veuve Cliquot Ponsardin champagne to compliment our meal. We spent over $400 for 2 people including champagne. Can I say that it was worth ...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on February 8, 2001

San Ysidro Ranch Stonehouse
900 San Ysidro Lane
Santa Barbara, California 93108
(805) 969-4100

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Santa Barbara Zoo

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Attraction

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Santa Barbara offers a small zoo that has all of the animals that you would expect in a bigger zoo such as lions, leopards, gorillas, lemurs, sea lions, and giraffes. The animal cages are generally placed in natural settings. Most of the animals are caged in breeding pairs, so the visitors enjoy seeing the interaction between the male and female. In addition, every few months, the zoo welcomes the new arrivals, preserving the species for everyone to enjoy. Every year, my husband and I purchase a family membership, so that we can visit the zoo on our days off. There is a beautiful hilltop park where families gather for picnic lunches. The food at the zoo is healthy and fl...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on February 7, 2001

Santa Barbara Zoo
500 Ninos Drvie
Santa Barbara, California 93103
(805) 962-6310

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Santa Barbara Beaches

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Attraction

Santa Barbara from the Wharf Photo - Santa Barbara Beaches, Santa Barbara, California

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The beaches in and around Santa Barbara are incredible. If you are willing to walk, it is possible to have an entire beach cove to yourself. During whale watching season, you can see California gray whales and humpback whales from the cliffs of Ledbetter and Butterfly beach. If you would rather see them up close, you can take a whale watching or sunset cruise on the Double Dolphin, a catamaran. In addition to whales, you may see blue sharks, dolphins, seals and sea lions. East Beach offers beach volleyball nets that are always being used by beautiful tanned California coeds. If you would prefer to surf, go West - to Ledbetter beach, where you will find a great point break. It is mostly...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on February 7, 2001

Santa Barbara Beaches
Along Cabrillo Boulevard
Santa Barbara, California 93101