The SB Post
Looking for Endless Summer this Spring Break? Head to Santa Barbara
Posted On: Friday, Feb 24, 2012 10:51 AMIt's easy to fall into that endless summer groove in Santa Barbara, and I'm not just talking about the consistent 70-degree late winter temps and sunny skies--although the mild climes certainly don't hurt. More than the weather, I'm referring to those classic feelings of summer; action-packed days spent in the ocean or nearby mountains followed by lingering evenings downtown where patio seating and good service are par for the course. Those five-star memories you simply don't want to end, so you stretch them out as long as possible. Maybe you follow up your Santa Ynez wine tour with some live music at the Granada Theatre or perhaps you complement a day exploring the Channel Islands with an evening of fresh farm-to-table coastal cuisine while you take in views of a harbor sunset. Whatever your mid-summer night's dream, Santa Barbara most likely has it, ready and waiting for you, this spring. Here are some ideas and imagery to get you inspired for this year's spring break, Santa Barbara-style.
Photo: J. Sinclair
1. Pick the perfect place to stay: Whether it's road tripping with your tent in tow, cozying up at a local B&B or retreating to a full-service luxury resort, you and your budget will be comfortable at one of Santa Barbara's many hotel and hideaway options.
2. Line up the activities: They say it takes a lifetime to experience all of Santa Barbara and maybe they're right, but be it spontaneous decision making or diligent pre-planning, you'll want to pack in as much as possible during your time here. Choose from a wide variety of outdoor recreation, family-friendly activity, arts and cultural events, guided tours or visit one of the area's many pristine beaches and parks.
Photo: J. Sinclair
3. Enjoy a festival or event: Spring means celebration in Santa Barbara. From celebrating Earth Day in its home town to tasting the best of the area's viticulture during the Vintners Festival, it's a prime time to coincide your travel with a local fête.
Photo: J. Sinclair
4. Wine and Dine: And we don't mean in the traditional grab-a-bite-and-a-brew sort of way. There's a reason the most famous movie about wine ever made was made here. Just as Miles and Jack showed us in Sideways, Santa Barbara wineries are as inviting in flavor and quality as they are in vintner personality. Couple your favorite chardonnay or pinot with a plate of locavore gastronomy. With the access to locally-sourced, fresh produce, seafood and quality meats year-round, Santa Barbara's culinary scene is not to miss.
5. Get the insider scoop: In addition to free travel guides to both help you plan your trip as well as make the most of it while you're here, there are many other resources you can access that will provide you with the local insight, news, events and information to ensure your Santa Barbara getaway is all-time. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Google+ or view the new Santa Barbara video short series, sure to put you in that mid-summer mindset.
Only-in-SB Father’s Day Fun
Posted On: Friday, Jun 3, 2011 11:15 AM
Father’s Day is coming up on June 19. Instead of the usual necktie, treat dad to a memorable only-in-Santa-Barbara experience. We have plenty of father-friendly outdoor adventure, food-and-wine (and beer) fun and unique ways to impress dear ol’ dad! Here are just a few ideas for Father’s Day experiences and gifts:
- Tough Guy Wine Tasting – For an ideal day out with dad, Cloud Climbers' "Back-Country Wine Tour" combines off-roading in a classic, custom CJ8 Scrambler with stops at four wineries and a no-frills picnic lunch. Or skip the wine and stick to the dirt on the “It’s a Blast Mountain Tour,” a four-hour mountain adventure including trap shooting, a short hike and a stop at Cold Springs Tavern to toast the day with a brew.
- Brew Cruise – Check out Santa Barbara’s microbrew scene with Santa Barbara Beer Tours and learn something along the way. Cruise to three breweries (Figueroa Mountain Brewing Company, Hollister Brewing Company and Island Brewing Company) for tastings and behind-the-scenes production tours. Full lunch and a souvenir glass is included in the $80/person pricetag. Want to celebrate dad early? Grab a pair of tickets to the 2nd Annual Zoo Brew on June 11 when the Santa Barbara Zoo hosts 20+ local and regional breweries for an afternoon of tastings and animal encounters.
- Book Him at Bootcamp - Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort presents their first annual "BBQ Bootcamp" Oct. 27-30, 2011, with special guest Grillmaster and Hitching Post II owner Frank Ostini. During this three-night, four-day program, guests will hone their grilling skills, gain grilling confidence and learn the ins-and-outs of Santa Maria-style BBQ. There’s also horseback riding, golf and visits to the spa. In the evenings, local guest chefs and winemakers will man the grills, and guests can sit back and taste some of the rich varietals for which the Santa Ynez wine region is known. The package includes studio accommodation with wood burning fireplace for three nights, welcome basket with Western-style weekend amenities, all meals and special dinners with local celebrity chefs, winemakers and brew masters and more.
- Dine with Diversions – Santa Barbara has tons of restaurants with great food and fun games. Take dad to locals’ favorite Arnoldi’s Café for Italian eats and bocce ball on their full court. Or belly up to Dargan’s Irish Pub & Restaurant for delicious traditional fare, live music and an entire room of darts, pool and more! Just thirsty? Head to the Carr Winery tasting room (on the Urban Wine Trail), and sip local vintages while playing shuffle board.
- Paddle Battle - Get stoked on Stand-Up Paddle Surfing with one of our many outfitters. Or take the adventure up a notch (or two!), and book a guided Channel Islands kayak excursion with Adventure Company of Santa Barbara or Channel Islands Outfitters, whose knowledgeable guides will fill you in on the island habitat and marine life while you paddle. Channel Islands National Park & Marine Sanctuary, is considered the "Galapagos of North America" because of its pristine, isolated setting, which is home to over 150 unique species.
2nd Annual CycleMAYnia in Santa Barbara
Posted On: Monday, May 16, 2011 2:00 PM - 2 Comments
Santa Barbara has amazing cycling. Don’t believe us? Just ask the international professional cyclists who train here every winter. But you don’t have to be of the “Tour” caliber to enjoy our rides - two-wheeled fun comes in all speeds and slopes from leg-burning climbs and adrenaline-pumping descents to easy-cruising bike paths and traffic-free, scenic routes.
With longer days and warm weather, May is the perfect time to get on a bike and peddle around SB. And every May since 1994, the Bicycle Coalition, the City of Santa Barbara and Traffic Solutions have put together events to celebrate cycling in our coastal community. Now in its second year, CycleMAYnia is a 30-day fest bringing everyone from seasoned cyclists to first-time peddlers together for fun events like tomorrow’s Bike to School Day and Green Drinks at Carr Winery. A centerpiece event of the month, the Amgen Tour of California comes to Santa Barbara County on May 20 for the “Race of Truth,” a high-speed time trial in downtown Solvang where more than 120 top cyclists race against the clock on the closed course.
So if you haven’t gotten in on the CycleMAYnia action this May, catch one of the remaining events, many which extend into June. Become a fan of CycleMAYnia on Facebook to keep up with the pack, and follow their chatter on Twitter.
See you on the road!
Experience "Ecotopia" in Santa Barbara Beyond April
Posted On: Monday, May 2, 2011 9:10 AM - 1 Comment
Our month celebrating Ecotopia has come to a close, but Santa Barbara remains an earth-lover’s paradise year-round with our everyday culture of sustainability, eco-friendly attractions and nearly limitless opportunities for fresh-air fun. If you’re planning a trip to our slice of paradise, test out the trip ideas below to experience Ecotopia in Santa Barbara!
- Discover car-free Santa Barbara! Not only do you save money on gas, but Santa Barbara Car Free offers “Cool Car Free Discounts” that range from 20% off hotel rates to big savings on outdoor activities and even wine tours. Once you’re here, it’s easy to get around town without a gas guzzler! Catch a ride on the Waterfront-Downtown Electric Shuttle, or flag down a Pedicab for some open-air cruising. Rent bikes (or stay at one of many hotels that offer complimentary cruisers), and take a spin on the Cabrillo Boulevard bike path.
- Sip sustainably along the Urban Wine Trail, a collection of tasting rooms in the “Funk Zone” that pour locally produced wines from renowned Santa Barbara Wine Country.
- Shop local at the Fisherman’s Market (Saturday mornings at the Santa Barbara Harbor) or Farmers’ Markets that happen nearly every day of the week. For the inside track, tag along with a local chef on Wine Cask’s Tuesday Market Tours or Chef Laurence Hauben’s Market Forays.
- Get inspired by Santa Barbara’s natural beauty, and visit some of our nature-centric attractions. Spring is prime whale-watching season with Santa Barbara Channel teeming with Minke, Humpack and Blue Whales. Fawn over the flora at Santa Barbara Botanic Garden and Lotusland, grand gardens (in very different ways) that showcase local and exotic plants. Touch and feel the interactive exhibits at Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and Ty Warner Sea Center that engage naturalists of all ages. Visit the exotic (and some local) residents at the sustainably minded Santa Barbara Zoo. Say hello to baby Daniel, a Masai giraffe calf born at the Zoo in January, and don’t miss the California Condor exhibit, a shining example of a local wildlife recovery program.
For more ideas, check out our Eco-Friendly Itinerary.
Stoked on Stand Up Paddle Surfing
Posted On: Friday, Apr 1, 2011 6:07 PM - 1 Comment
Gotta love a spring heat wave! When it's 80 degrees outside, the beach is definitely the place to be. As fate would have it, I had a date with Blueline Stand Up Paddle Surf this Thursday morning as the sun was shining and temperatures were climbing. A group of travel journalists from France was in town and learning to SUP (stand up paddle surf) was on their agenda. I had never tried the sport myself and decided it was high time I take the plunge along with them.
What's SUP? The ancient form of surfing became popular in Hawaii in the 1960's as a way for surf instructors to navigate around their students with greater agility. SUP boards resemble longboards, but are custom made with attention to the stability and buoyancy needed to accommodate an upright stance. The paddling technique requires balance and gives a great core work out -- it's often referred to as yoga on the water. Adventurous and athletic SUP-ers ride waves surf-style, and others just cruise along glassy waters, beyond the swells, as we did.
Blueline team members Chris and Genelle were waiting for us at Leadbetter Beach with the boards and paddles ready to go. They gave us a quick lesson on the sand -- how to position our legs and feet on the board, how to stand up once we got out to sea, how to stand (keep knees locked!) and maintain balance and how to paddle.
One by one, they helped us get past the breaking waves and onto our boards with the water at thigh level. Kneeling, we were told to paddle out to a buoy where we waited for Chris and Genelle to walk us through the standing up step. I will admit I was totally terrified because I really, really, really didn't want to fall in. (I'm a big chicken when it comes to being in water that's not clear...I prefer to see what's lurking beneath! Plus, I had to go into the office after our adventure!) Chris was a great coach and told me not to over think it. After a slight panic I was standing up, wobbling away and started paddling. We cruised around, getting tips on our paddling techniques and how to turn around. I managed not to fall in, though I had a few close calls! Those who did fall in were laughing hysterically, and got to practice the standing up part more. When it was time to head back in, Chris and Genelle helped us time our approach with the waves so as to sail right in to shore.
I can see why everyone loves their SUP! And why it's become so popular with our visitors. In addition to lessons, Blueline has an awesome retail shop in the Funk Zone and you can follow their SUP adventures all over the world on their blog. SUP rentals are also available through the Paddle Sports of Santa Barbara shop at the Harbor, which is conveniently located right next to Leadbetter Beach.
Cowboy Up & Kick Back at Circle Bar B
Posted On: Friday, Oct 1, 2010 1:59 PM
I went horseback riding at Circle Bar B Guest Ranch & Stables yesterday with a couple of visiting travel writers who were on the hunt for "off-the-beaten-path" finds. It's amazing how you can drive just 20 minutes up the coast from downtown Santa Barbara, head inland a few miles, and be totally transported to cowboy country.
We took a 1.5-hour trail ride in the late afternoon, as the light started to become golden and the intense heat of the day had waned (being at the tail end of California's record-breaking heat wave). I felt very safe riding Herman, my handsome horse for the afternoon, who quickly caught onto the fact that I'm not much of a disciplinarian when he started feasting on avocados hanging from a tree while we waited for the rest of the group to head out on the ride. It was gloriously peaceful and beautiful along the trail, especially at the half way point when we reached the Indian Canyon Ridge and stopped to soak up the expansive views of the mountains and Pacific Ocean before heading back down to the stables. My bum is a bit sore today, but the entire experience was well worth it and my only real complaint is that the ride passed by too quickly!
In addition to the 1.5-hour rides, Circle Bar B Stables offers 2.5-hour rides (which our guide said is the best value) and half day rides. You can also book a private, customized ride. Guided trail rides range in price from $45 to $135. Call 805.968.3901 to book a reservation.
Set on 1,100 acres on the Gaviota coast, Circle Bar B has been in the Brown family since 1939 and their property borders the legendary Rancho del Cielo (also known as "Reagan Ranch"), where President Ronald Reagan lived for 25 years. Circle Bar B's Guest Ranch offers a range of lodging options for overnight guests including ranch rooms, cottages, cabins and 2-story homesteads. The larger stand-alone accommodations are ideal for families and girlfriend getaways, while the ranch rooms and private cabins are well-suited to couples in search of a romantic escape. The bucolic landscape sets the tone for taking it easy, with miles of trails for hiking and horseback riding, a swimming pool on-site and nearby Refugio State Beach. Leisure is on the agenda at the lodge, complete with a game room, library, dining room and bar...serving local wines, of course. Mobile spa services are also available for in-room treatments. Room rates start at $292 per night for two guests -- all meals are included in the room rates, too. For the best deal, book the "Weekday R&R Special," starting at $208/night for a midweek stay, or one of the bundled packages like the "Medicinal Country Cure All," including massages, horseback riding and champagne.
If you are on a tighter budget, Rancho Oso also offers a guest ranch experience. Located on the other side of the mountains off Highway 154, Rancho Oso is more rustic and bare bones with cabins, covered wagons and campsites to choose from. Here, you have public restrooms and showers, similar to a camping set-up. Rates start at $69/night for a wagon or $89/night for a cabin that sleeps four. On the other end of the spectrum, Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort in Solvang offers a luxurious, high-end guest ranch experience. Room rates start at $495/night and include breakfast, dinner and access to the resort's guest-only activities including golf, horseback riding and fly fishing.
Channel Islands Adventures
Posted On: Tuesday, Jun 29, 2010 2:08 PM
The Channel Islands National Park & Marine Sanctuary is one of North America's greatest natural treasures and sits just 25 miles off the coast of Santa Barbara. If you have an adventurous spirit and want a one-of-a-kind eco-tourism experience, do make a point to visit the islands.
Considered "America's Galapagos", the Channel Islands are a habitat for an extraordinarily rich population of flora and fauna - of the 2,000 species found on the islands, 145 are endemic. The pristine, relatively untouched environment is accessible to visitors for day trips, hiking, camping, diving, snorkeling, fishing, kayaking and whale watching. Equally rich in history, one of the site's most fascinating facts is that the oldest human remains found in America were discovered on the islands, tracing back 13,000 years.
As amazing as the islands are, getting there from Santa Barbara is not the easiest feat if you don't have a boat. But it's gotten easier lately with expanded charter service. Truth Aquatics is the only Santa Barbara Harbor-based concessionaire authorized to land on the islands and they offer a variety of guided experiences including day visits and multi-day SCUBA diving, camping and hiking trips. (To be fair to our neighbors down south, plentiful day trips do depart from the Ventura Harbor, but from Santa Barbara that adds 90 minutes round-trip on the road.)
Santa Barbara Adventure Company recently introduced a Painted Cave Kayak Tour in partnership with Truth Aquatics, offering kayaking and snorkeling Santa Cruz Island excursions throughout the summer. The tour includes transportation from Santa Barbara Harbor, cooked meals, gear and guides who will fill you with facts and keep you safe while you kayak through Painted Cave, the 2nd longest sea cave in the world.
I can handle a kayak but I'm not a brave adventurer, and I have to say kayaking in Painted Cave was one of the most memorable - albeit slightly nerve-wracking - adventures I've been on. There happened to be an unusually large swell the day we went out, and all was going swimmingly until I looked back towards the cave opening to see the silhouettes of massive-looking waves looming behind us. However, our guides were awesome and kept close by so I knew my life would not be ending in that cave. Jitters quickly calmed, I could appreciate the sheer majesty of Painted Cave - which is so large and long, a whale watching boat can easily fit into it. So it's not an adventure for the faint of heart, but with the help of the Adventure Co. guides, you really don't need experience to take the challenge on. Kids 12 and older can join the Channel Islands kayak trips, too.
If you'd rather not get out on the water or have less time to spare but want to see the Channel Islands, Condor Express is your best bet. The Condor is a high speed catamaran that reaches the islands in 45 minutes and they offer whale watching cruises daily, weather permitting. While you don't actually set foot on the islands, you can see them and the boat will enter Painted Cave for an up-close look. You'll also see whales and dolphins in the Santa Barbara Channel along the way.
It's not just tourism cheerleaders who tout the Channel Islands' greatness. Santa Barbara resident and international ocean explorer Jean-Michel Cousteau (yes, that Cousteau, he's the son of Jacques) regards the Channel Islands as one of the most spectacular places in the world to dive. Hear what he has to say about it in our Inside Santa Barbara video series. And filmmaker Ken Burns recently put the spotlight on the Channel Islands in his widely-watched "The National Parks: America's Best Idea" PBS series.
