SEDUCTION BY THE SEA:
Santa Barbara’s Top 10 Spots to Make Your Sweetheart Swoon  

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — It's a potent cocktail: 100 miles of stunning surf, Mediterranean architecture, 300+ days of sunshine annually and enough world-class wine to keep the kingdom of Bhutan buzzed. Santa Barbara's lure as a romantic haunt is well documented, from the weddings of Clark Gable, Rock Hudson and Sir Laurence Olivier to the honeymoons of JFK, Julia Roberts and J-Lo.  Add the region's unique line-up of wedding venues to the mix — from ranches to mansions, missions to resorts — and it's romance as usual along the American Riviera®.

TOP TEN SPOTS TO SWOON OVER

1. Clairmont Farms:  If the scent doesn't get you, the scene definitely will. A sea of purple, this six-acre lavender farm off a quaint road in Los Olivos puts a new spin on swooning, Santa Barbara-style.  Graceful 150-year-old olive trees dot the entrance drive; after a walk among the fields, pick up some massage oil and sachets for an apres adventure. (Roblar Road, Los Olivos; free)
2. Francheschi Park:  With panoramic views of the Pacific, red tile roofs cascading into the sea and a fragrant array of exotic plants, this park, created by Santa Barbara's famed grandfather of horticulture Francesco Francheschi, is an offbeat and isolated find ideal for a romantic picnic.  (Mission Ridge, Santa Barbara; free)
3. Knapp's Castle:  High above the cloudline sits a stone ruin reminiscent of a Grecian temple.  Built in 1916, this once elaborate sandstone mansion commands a rocky point with stunning vistas in all directions.  The remains — rock arches, fireplaces, rock stairways and chimneys — provide a powerful backdrop for budding love.  (East Camino Cielo Road, Santa Barbara; free)
4. Swing at the Lily Pond, El Encanto Hotel and Garden Villas:  Where else can you delve into another space in time when Great Gatsby era couples sipped champagne around the wisteria-ringed lily pond?  This private oasis sets the ideal prelude to an intimate dinner-for-two overlooking the city and Pacific on the restaurant terrace.  (Lasuen Road, Santa Barbara) Note: reopening in 2008 after a major renovation..
5. Thousand Step Beach (a.k.a. Mesa Lane Beach):  Thousand Step is an insider haunt for romantic romps along the beach without crowds. Walk down the 241 wooden steps to the beach; as you descend, the dramatic path is festooned with fuchsia bougainvillea and a lone cypress tree. The pristine beach goes for miles in low tide. (Mesa Lane, Santa Barbara; free)
6. Pritchett Bench, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden:  Get up close and personal with Mother Nature at this 65-acre garden featuring more than 1,000 species of native California plants. Wander through the redwood forest and manzanita grove, and then cut onto the Pritchett Trail, which ascends along a small dirt path. The stone "Pritchett" bench is tucked high among the canopy of live oaks with whispers from a babbling stream below. (Mission Canyon, Santa Barbara; $7)
7. Santa Barbara County Courthouse Clock Tower:  This stately gem, built in 1929, is the essence of Spanish-Moorish architecture and one of the most beautiful public buildings in the nation. Take the elevator to the top and climb a few steps to the Clock Tower for a stunning 360-degree view of vibrant red tile roofs, the Santa Ynez Mountains, palm-studded shoreline and Channel Islands. This is the place to steal a kiss and quick photo op. (Santa Barbara Street, Santa Barbara; free)
8. Vendanta Temple:  Step out of Santa Barbara and into southern India at this tranquil architectural masterpiece with a quiet perch overlooking the Pacific. Enjoy a hand-in-hand stroll among the tranquil grounds tucked deep within a residential area in Montecito. The adjoining Sarada Convent Bookstore offers local artisan works should baubles be needed. (Ladera Lane, Montecito; free)
9. A.C. Postel Memorial Rose Gardens:  Created as a fragrance garden for the blind, this stunning park with Mission Santa Barbara as its backdrop is drop-dead gorgeous. More than 1,000 varieties of roses stretch up to the sky in a heady salute certain to rev up even the most jaded cupid. (Los Olivos Street, Santa Barbara; free)
10. Kayak the Pacific:  Santa Barbara Harbor offers a variety of tandem kayak rentals for couples seeking love at sea. An easy launch at the harbor enables beginners to float among the world-class crafts before venturing out to sea for a sizzling sunset. (Santa Barbara; $35)

WEDDING & HONEYMOON RESOURCES    

Contact the Santa Barbara Conference & Visitors Bureau for a wedding planners kit, including a Meeting & Event Planners Guide to Santa Barbara County with wedding planning resources; free for the asking. Contact the Santa Barbara Conference & Visitors Bureau and Film Commission at 800/676-1266, 805/966-9222, or sales@santabarbaraCA.com. Or, visit www.santabarbaraCA.com.

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4/2007