Just ninety-miles north of Los Angeles, you’ll find a city steeped in tradition, relaxation, and coastal beauty. Although nearby, Santa Barbara is world’s away from the drama, smog, and busyness of Los Angeles. Santa Barbara, in fact, is commonly referred to as the “American Riviera®” for its white stucco and red tiled roof homes and buildings a blend of Spanish, Mediterranean, and Moorish architectural styles and for its vibrant landscape and coastal waters. Within thirty minutes of Santa Barbara you can be in the ocean, the mountains, or wine tasting in the nearby Santa Barbara Wine Country, which boasts more than sixty different wineries.
If you’re in the city this spring, don’t miss the I Madonnari Italian Street Painting Festival (www.imadonnarifestival.com), an annual event that highlights original sidewalk chalk paintings by local artists and students. The art is done at the foot of the historic Santa Barbara Mission, another must see. You can also plan your visit around one of the two whale migrations from January-March (Pacific Gray whales) or June-October (Blue and Humpback whales). Or simply visit one of the many sandy beaches that grace America’s own Riviera.
Best Boutique
Just a few blocks off of State Street you’ll find Drishti, a locally owned yoga boutique that offers a multitude of gifts for the aspiring or full-fledged yogini. The book selection is superb everything from Buddhist theory and meditation to relationships and health is available. Soy candles, yoga props, a comprehensive DVD and video collection, and a variety of yoga-inspired magazines can all assist you with your practice. On your way out, don’t miss the jewelry selection. Hand-picked by the owner herself, each piece is unique and exquisite. For more information call (805) 963-0222 or visit www.drishtiyoga.com
Best Yoga Center
The breathtaking space that houses the Santa Barbara Yoga Center was once a church. The high ceilings, wood floors, and large windows all create an intimate space to start or continue your yoga practice. The center offers more than a hundred classes per week in such styles as Ashtanga, Iyengar, Anusara, and Pre- and Post-Natal. Evenings with Krishna Das, and such workshops as partner yoga, Chakras in Asana, and chanting are all offered at different times throughout the year. The center is also a registered Yoga Alliance school. Next door, visit Odara (Sanskrit for peace, tranquility), a brand new yoga boutique and healing arts center that offers massage, facials, and acupuncture as well as the Odara Loft where you can relax and enjoy teas from around the world. Contact (805) 965-6045 or visit www.sbyc.com; Odara, www.odaraliving.com
Best Vegetarian Restaurant
A local institution (and a likely place to see students and teachers fresh from a class at the Santa Barbara Yoga Center), the Sojourner Caf© offers creative vegan, vegetarian, and non-vegetarian cuisine in a cozy atmosphere. Their wine list highlights local Santa Barbara county wines, while their lunch and dinner menu is filled with ethnic-inspired dishes and daily specials. Chef Edie Robertson’s creative salads include the Mediterranean Torta, a tower of eggplant, hummus, pesto, marinated onions, roasted bell pepper, and taboulleh; as well as the local favorite, Gingered Tofu Wonton Pillows served with pineapple coconut milk sauce. Contact (805) 965-7922 or visit www.sojournercafe.com
Best Ocean-Side Spa
Although I’m biased since I got hitched last August at the elegant Four Seasons, Santa Barbara, I think most locals will agree that the Biltmore (as it is commonly referred) is the most stunning, lavish hotel in Santa Barbara. With its prime coastal location, it’s no wonder that many celebs schedule their stays at the Four Seasons. Many of the suites offer ocean views or views of their lush, tropical landscaped lawns. The spa, which features an exclusive couples suite that can be booked by small groups for an after-spa lunch, offers an extensive spa menu. Treatments include a Buttermilk Honey Bath Soak and an Avocado-Citrus Body Wrap. But don’t leave after your treatment is over, the nearby pool is perfect for soaking up the last of the afternoon’s rays before you head to La Marina to sample chef Martin Frost’s nightly four-course tasting menu. After dinner, be sure to visit the beach one last time to view Santa Barbara’s beautiful waters by moonlight. Contact (805) 969-2261 or visit www.fourseasons.com/santabarbara
Best Day Spa
Avia, the East-West Sanctuary, features unique Eastern treatments as well as more traditional Western treatments like Swedish massage. If you’re looking for a transforming experience, book their Buddha-ful Treatment, which includes an Avia Lifestyle Facial, a Secret of Seaweed Wrap, an Aromatic Salt Glow, and a one-hour reflexology session. Their extensive menu also includes Hot Stone Chakra Balancing, Reiki, Acupressure Shirodhara Massage, and Lomi Lomi. Avia also features a yoga studio for yoga and movement classes as well as a boutique and salon. On Friday night, their Cardio Striptease class promises more than a killer workout! Contact (805) 730-7303 or visit www.aviaspa.com
Best Bookstore
If you’re looking for a place to kill some time, head to Chaucer’s Books on upper State Street in the Loreto Plaza. Locally owned, Chaucer’s Books is a Santa Barbara favorite for their 150,000+ titles, large magazine selection, and knowledgeable staff. They also offer Saturday storytime for the kids, and host both local and nationally acclaimed authors for book signings. Last winter, Michael Moore, the author of Dude, Where’s My Country and the director of Fahrenheit 9/11 signed books and visited with shoppers. Contact (805) 682-6787 or visit www.chaucers.booksense.com
Best Markets
For organic produce, herbs, nutritional supplements, and an outstanding caf© and bakery, visit Lazy Acres Market, a locally owned health food store. Lazy Acres also boasts a large free-range and antibiotic-free meat and poultry section, and a well-rounded selection of artisan cheeses and wines. If you’re looking for an exotic ingredient or just hungry for a great place to grab lunch (they have the best salad bar in town), head up the Mesa to Lazy Acres. The market also offers monthly winemaker dinners. Contact (805) 564-4410 or visit www.lazyacres.com
If you happen to be in town on a Saturday morning, don’t miss the Santa Barbara Farmer’s Market, held downtown at the intersection of Santa Barbara and Cota streets. The market is open year-round from 8:30-12:30 a.m. You’ll find flowers, organic herbs and produce as well as homemade apple pie. Contact (805) 962-5354
Best Lunch Date
Consistently voted the best sidewalk caf© in the Independent’s (local indie paper) reader’s choice awards, the Natural Caf© also wins awards for the best fish tacos and the best veggie burgers. Located in Old Town Santa Barbara, the Natural Caf© caters to those looking for a quick, fresh bite to eat. Non-vegetarians will enjoy such favorites as their chicken tacos. Or visit for an afternoon carrot milkshake, made with fresh carrot juice. After you’re done with lunch, head next door to Spirit’s Path, a locally owned holistic boutique that features an extensive vitamin and supplement department, hot and cold tonics, natural beauty products, and a large collection of Buddhist and yoga-inspired statues, fountains, music, and candles. Contact Natural Caf© at (805) 962-9494; Spirit’s Path, (805) 962-2023 or visit www.spiritspath.com
Best Weekend Getaway
Located just a short forty-five minute drive from Santa Barbara, some of California’s most delicious grapes and notable Pinot Noir’s are grown in Santa Barbara Wine Country, an up-and-coming wine destination. First stop? Pack a picnic lunch and visit Foley Estates winery for lunch and a wine tasting. The tasting room occupies a former farmhouse, which lends to a rustic and simple feel. Unpretentious and casual, the staff is very knowledgeable and will be able to recommend just about anything to suit your palate. Afterward, book a night at the Ballard Inn & Restaurant, an intimate fifteen-room hideaway located just a short drive from Foley Estates. Contact www.sbcountywines.com; Foley Estates, (805) 688-8554, www.foleywines.com; The Ballard Inn & Restaurant, (805) 688-7770, www.ballardinn.com
Best Coffee Shop
While it’s not exactly located in Santa Barbara, driving south to The French Bulldog Cafe in Summerland, is worth the scenic ten-minute coastal commute. Co-owner Roger Durling is also the director of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, an annual winter event that brings worldwide independent films, film-makers, and celebrities to the theaters of Santa Barbara. The French Bulldog Caf©’s menu features light lunches, salads, soups, and great coffee drinks in addition to a beer and wine list. Contact (805) 695-8883; Santa Barbara International Film Festival, www.sbfilmfestival.org
Best Gardens
Open year-round, the Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens offer visitors and locals alike the opportunity to take in the bounty of California’s native plants and flowers in a natural and beautiful setting. The gardens encompass nearly 65 acres and include more than 5.5 miles of walkable trails. Native species of the area are highlighted, but the gardens also feature plants from Baja California and Southern Oregon, two areas considered to be within the California Floristic Province. Visit the herbarium to see more than 140,000 different plants or attend one of their classes, lectures, or field courses offered throughout the year. Contact (805) 682-4726 or visit www.sbbg.org
Experience Sideways
The acclaimed film Sideways has inspired many a man and woman to explore Santa Barbara and Santa Ynez. If you make the trip, consider El Encanto Hotel and Garden Villas. Majestically perched on the Rivieria and overlooking the sparkling Pacific waters of Santa Barbara, El Encanto has served lucky visitors since 1918. In celebration of the interest Sideways is bringing to Santa Barbara’s neighboring wine country, El Encanto is offering a special rate of $575 for two nights in one of the hotel’s charming cottages ($675 on weekends), along with a detailed map following the trail of Sideways’ two characters, and a special wine and cuisine tasting menu for two in El Encanto’s restaurant on weekdays. The Byways of Sideways package is available through March 31st, 2005, based on availability and double occupancy. For more information call (800) 346-7039 or visit www.elencantohotel.com.
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