Since I first saw photos of San Ysidro Ranch, I dreamed of staying at the 5-star boutique hotel, nestled in the foothills of Montecito, California. Considered by many to be the world’s most romantic hotel, it’s easy to see why this spectacular property – at the top of a hill with lush gardens – receives that designation. With exclusivity as the new quiet luxury, the … Continue reading San Ysidro Ranch: The Ultimate Santa Barbara Sanctuary
New Chef, Cristian Granada, takes the helm at legendary Michelin-recommended Loquita – the authentic Spanish restaurant in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone – to refresh the menu at the 10-year-old award-winning establishment. From Colombia, Chef Cristian honed his skills at Susheria and several Michelin star restaurants in Washington, DC, as well as spending time in Madrid. He is responsible for revamping 80% of the menu. Blocks … Continue reading Discover authentic Spanish cuisine at Loquita Santa Barbara with a revamped menu thanks to the new executive chef
We woke up to the hotel shaking – from a different kind of earthquake – as a rocket launched 24 satellites into space from nearby Vandenberg Space Force Base, outside Lompoc (“lom-poke”). This California Central Coast town has the best vantage points for viewing rocket launches and is the only place in the US that launches unmanned satellites into orbit. Learn more about Lompoc and our favorite … Continue reading Don’t skip the Santa Barbara County Town of Lompoc
We were thrilled to be invited to the 25th Anniversary of the World of Pinot Noir in Santa Barbara for a weekend-long seaside celebration of this delicious and storied wine. The event was hosted at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara over 4 days, from February 27 – March 1, 2025. Attendees included wine aficionados, sommeliers, winemakers, and those who just love outstanding food and wine. A Thursday … Continue reading Memorable Wines to Discover at Santa Barbara’s World of Pinot
Southern California is home to a thriving cocktail culture. And coffee, and beer, and wine, and juice, I suppose, too, but let’s focus on the mixology for now. I want to highlight a location in four local counties where you are guaranteed to experience the state of the bartender’s art. And I’m going to recommend a particular cocktail at each. Let’s begin in Orange County, … Continue reading So Cal is Cocktail Country
Let’s face it, we cover Santa Barbara quite a bit in this space. And with good cause. Like Palm Springs to the east and San Diego to the south, it’s a welcoming destination within about 90 minutes, which is about how long it takes to clear one’s head of the daily grind. Best of all you can just hop on a train. On my latest … Continue reading A Santa Barbara Overnighter… or Two
The pandemic spurred an even greater love for far-flung destinations away from city life. These areas breathe air/life back into your soul and quite frankly, they may not have been on your radar until the pandemic. The great California Road Trip is having a bit of a renaissance and the Golden State features hundreds of unique escapes. We went on the road and off the … Continue reading Relive California’s past with 5 reimagined hotels
This article was first published in Malibu Coast Lifestyle print and Conejo Valley Lifestyle print (June 2021). After more than two years apart due to the pandemic, I found myself reuniting with my East Coast mother in Santa Barbara. Known as the American Riviera, Santa Barbara boasts temperatures in the 70s year-round and has about 80 cloudy days a year. Even though we arrived during … Continue reading Explore Santa Barbara, the American Riviera
The recent heat wave in the usually mild month of April portends sweltering weather come late summer. It got me thinking about a contingency plan should the mercury reach the triple digits. An evacuation drill was in order. The safety bunker would need to be someplace reachable within a couple of hours’ drive lest we risk some kind of vehicular breakdown under the scorching sun, … Continue reading Find Your Summertime Oasis
If your idea of Santa Barbara is limited to downtown, it’s time to expand your horizons. In fact, Santa Barbara is so much more — it’s wine country, it’s sandy beaches, it’s exciting new restaurants and cafes, and of course, it’s charming hotels designed for a weekend getaway. And if you want to stay in town or just south, in upscale Montecito, you’re going to … Continue reading Pro Tip: Santa Barbara on a Budget
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