Santa Barbara

Going away for the weekend is a nice way to escape the exhausting parts of daily life. For Angelenos there are only a few places close enough to town that can provide respite. Unless you want to "relax" in San Bernardino or Anaheim, the best option for a nearby weekend jaunt is Santa Barbara. 

My parents visited me this past week and wanted to spend part of the week in the seaside town. Lodging options are plentiful in Santa Barbara, but my mother wanted somewhere that felt distinctly Californian. Luckily for us she found exactly what she wanted at the Spanish Garden Inn. As we checked in, I immediately noticed the stuccoed walls and terra cotta tile floors. The building seemed steeped in history, but its actually a high quality replication built in 2001. A pool, breakfast room, and wine bar round out the amenities that make this hotel a competitor with other high-end Santa Barbara hotels. Its location in the middle of downtown was convenient and allowed us to walk to everything, including the abundant selection of wine tasting rooms...

Front facade of the Inn, courtesy of the Spanish Garden Inn

Front Entrance, courtesy of the Spanish Garden Inn

Interior Courtyard, courtesy of the Spanish Garden Inn

While I was aware Santa Barbara had a wine scene; I did not realize to what extent. Most of the wineries in Santa Barbara are located in the Santa Ynez Valley. The Valley's proximity to the town spawned a section of downtown committed to wine tasting rooms. Yanonali Street between State and Santa Barbara is home to a dozen tasting rooms that serve local wine. I am usually skeptical of California wine, especially Southern California, but was pleasantly surprised by the Pinots and Merlots that I sampled. Riverbench Winery's tasting room was one of my favorites with a jovial atmosphere and excellent booze to match. I recommend starting at Riverbench and working your way down the street, slowly tasting your way through Santa Barbara and gaining a gleeful buzz as you go. 

Wine About It

If you want to do more than just drink and relax in Santa Barbara, make your way to Casa Del Herrero (say that name three times fast) in Montecito. Montecito is a small enclave just east of Downtown that is known for big houses owned by people with even bigger bank accounts. Casa Del Herrero epitomizes the Montecito lifestyle: a large Spanish Colonial style home surrounded by seven acres of lush gardens. Built in 1925, the Casa was designed by George Washington Smith with Andalusian and Moorish influences. The owner, George Fox Steedman, filled the home with Spanish antiques and Catholic relics handpicked by famous Antiquarian, Arthur Byne. The gardens are organized using classical European planning techniques mixed with native Californian flora. I took a private tour of the home and could have spent the entire day wandering around the place. Dont worry, I'll have more to share about Casa Del Herrero in the coming weeks. 

Front Facade

East Facade 

Rear Facade

To finish off the day I wanted to eat my weight in carbohydrates, so we went to Los Agaves Restaurant and inhaled as many tortilla products as possible. I love Mexican food and Santa Barbara did not disappoint. The only downside to the restaurant is that it only serves beer and wine, but the Mole Enchiladas sufficed and I still enjoyed it. If you're ever in the area make sure to go!

Heaven on a Plate, courtesy of Los Agaves Restaurant 

Hope you can make it up to this beautiful town sometime soon for some Southern California history, booze, and local cuisine. 

Cheers,

Hugh