Santa Barbara: Like Visiting an Old Friend

I grew up in west L.A. Good, bad and ugly, one of the good-est aspects of this childhood locale was it’s proximity to Santa Barbara. It’s hard to know how many people have heard of this gem of Southern California. I mean, I believe it’s fairly well known;  If for no other reason than the growing list of celebrities who have comfortably nestled into the privacy of the oak-studded, coastal hugging glorious terrain of Montecito.  My perspective is skewed. I have always had a profound fondness for this too-big-to-be-called-a-town and too-intimate-for-cityhood enclave. I do call it a town, though, because I feel the familiarity with it to claim the privilege. 🙂

How did this relationship develop?  In my oh-so-responsible youth (cough) my friends and I would pile into several cars and go on surf trips to our friends ranch on the beach (ugh! HOW did I ever lose touch with THAT friend!?!) and often converge on the nearby college neighborhood of Isla Vista (I.V.) and carouse. We especially loved to join in the well-known parade of ghouls and certified crazies, indistinguishable from the un-papered nuts, on Halloween night.

Long shadows at the Pier, Santa Barbara, California

In my twenties I started to appreciate the finer charms of this lovely historic California town.  I finally toured the glorious 223 year-old mission and the classic Spanish-influenced arcades and halls of the famed Santa Barbara courthouse. I even indulged in the traditional touristy activities like Fiesta Days and visiting their perfectly sized and located ocean-view zoo.  I walked the planks on the classic pier, replete with fisherman hauling in their catch on patient poles.  I’ve lounged at the polo fields with my friend who was married to a professional polo player – I know, how very posh! – and strolled along the beaches and bluffs, and hiked the hills.

Fried Green Tomato & Goat Cheese Stack from Tupelo Junction

I won’t even begin to tantalize you with the myriad eateries, cafes, bistros, bars, restaurants, as it would take up multiple posts just in food forays! But I promise I will. You know this!

Having a dear friend who lives here, I tend to visit a lot. Frankly, her friendship and company have been the major draw these past decades.  But I realize there are so many delights to appreciate in Santa Barbara and the surrounds, and I’d neatly forgotten to share them with you, my loyal and fellow travel-hungry readers.  I guess I think of SB as an extension of my home stomping grounds and, shame upon shame, I have taken her treasures for granted.

I hereby make a pledge to remedy this oversight forthwith and even start delving in to more varied sites, activities and pursuits…especially with your input!

A Classic: The Californian Hotel

I officially open up Santa Barbara and her offerings to an ongoing “Interactive Travel” mission (get it? Mission? *wink*) as I visit at least once every two months.  This means, I am open to suggestions and recommendations, and yes, even challenges, from my trusty and trusted! readers. lol.  But please keep in mind, I’m an old gal 😉 I do have limitations! I look forward to sharing new ventures and adventures with you. Cheers!

Check out my Barcelona Interactive Travel post.