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Santa Barbara – Just 90 minutes from Los Angeles juxtaposed between the local wine region of the Santa Ynez valley and the Pacific Ocean is known as the gold coast of California. Also known as the American Riviera of the West Coast it’s mild and nearly perfect climate all year round weather make this a perfect destination.
State Street, which is the artery of the city, runs directly to the pristine beaches. Downtown Santa Barbara boasts a vibrant art scene with nearly 60 art galleries. The Museum of Contemporary Arts was founded in 1976 and is dedicated to education. There are always exhibitions going on throughout the year.
You might need to dedicate a whole day to shopping. There are outdoor shopping malls that you can wander through. La Cumbre Plaza and Paseo Nuevo are two well-known outdoor shopping malls in Santa Barbara. You can find small specialized boutiques or this year’s trending clutch at Louis Vuitton.
After working up an appetite at the local art galleries or from shopping at the posh stores, just a short distance is The Wine Cask Restaurant. This venue consists of three distinct sections. The Riviera Room can cater to your more intimate events. The main dining room known as the Gold Room where the exposed vaulted ceiling and fireplace set an ambiance that will last long after dinner or if you just want to have a quick bite after a long day of shopping the café is the perfect place to unwind. They have an array of top shelf cocktails and a long list of fine wines.
The Santa Barbra Mission established on December 4th 1786 was founded by the Spanish Franciscans and has an art collection from the baroque and neoclassical eras. There are self - guided tours daily and you can even arrange for private more intimate tours by appointment. The Mission Still functions as a church today.
With all that walking if you find your feet hurting the BACARA Resort and Spa is just the place to visit. You can stop by for the day and enjoy one of over 60 specialized spa treatments or stay overnight in one of their spacious villas. They have salon services for both men and women. Don’t worry about your workout regime on this trip – there is a 35,000 square foot top of the line cardiovascular and weight training suite!
Whether you are an outdoor enthusiast, shopaholic, wine connoisseur, or just want a weekend to pamper yourself, this is a little secret destination that has managed to still retain its cool California attitude. It probably will not be your last time there.
July 12, 2023
