Summer travel of 2022 is at full blast despite the challenges posed by COVID surges, erratic weather, frequent flight cancellations, and gas gouges. Most of us are nursing the desire to forget the reality of the situation and escape to a place far away, but it’s simply not practical for everybody, be it mentally or financially. This is where road trips and shorter jaunts come into the picture. Last year it was all about checking travel guides intended for the pandemic times; while the focus may have shifted a bit since then, it still covers the expediting of much-needed escapism. This post deals with one of the crowd-favorite getaways nearby: Santa Barbara.
The best thing about being in this breezy, beautiful town has to be the temperatures. Despite being just two hours from summer-sizzling LA, Santa Barbara rarely if ever gets above the 75s, mainly because everything worth doing here is near the coast. There’s every option available here, from drinking to biking, shopping to eating, music and art appreciation, plus more. SB is both relaxed and rousing at the same time for friends, couples, and families.
Free-Wheeling
We’ve all been forced to recalibrate our lives in different ways thanks to COVID. The one thing it’s made us do is find new pastimes as well as forms of entertainment, especially those we could engage in outdoors. LA saw resurgence in drive-in businesses, and the popularity of outdoor screenings shot up radically. Many adults took up skateboarding and roller-skating once again, while others rediscovered their love for bike riding and took to trails in Ventura, Santa Clarita, Santa Monica, and Venice Beach. These places are all awesome in their own way, but none beats Santa Barbara when it comes to simply rolling by the beach.
SB has relatively been more successful after closing off streets to traffic, in order to give people more outdoor amusements. State Street has always been a next of sorts for both tourists and locals, but after the “emergency closure” during the pandemic where cars were banned for a time, it quickly became a unique pedestrian boardwalk in the state. One side is reserved for walkers and another for boarders, bikers, and bladders, with all of that sandwiched by dining areas. It’s perfect for bikers thanks to a doable incline and sturdy bike racks each block.
Santa Barbara Independent—a local paper—said “it remains unclear” whether State Street will continue to be a permanent promenade, although at first look it does seem to be headed in that direction (it will take a newly formed committee to decide how we go forward). This works in visitors’ favor, because there’s a whole area that’s different and special. The closure is a mile long, and it has recharged the downtown corridor. This is because it has allowed pedestrians as well as peddlers to fill the streets safely.
Other than the craft fairs and whatnot, State has a profusion of businesses for buyers and browsers to go through. While there are chain stores like Cost Plus and Old Navy right on the stretch, it also has some adorable old theaters such as The Granada and The Arlington. There are also mom-and-pop shops for collectibles, old vinyl, and unique treasures. Retro clothing and doo dads can be found at Antique Alley and Punch Vintage.
Star Power
Santa Barbara, and specifically Montecito are known for being places from where some major recording artists hail. The list includes such names as Katy Perry, Orlando Bloom, and Martin Gore. The place also has some among the biggest media moguls living here—Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Oprah Winfrey, Portia De Rossi and Ellen Degeneres are just some of the famous people who own mansions or compounds here.
This area has also received tons of attention in various instances, such as when Kourtney Kardashian said yes to Travis Barker. The most famous inhabitant though, was Julia Child, who lived here till her death in 2004.
Main Stays
While it’s possible to get your desired level of privacy with Air BnB’s, if it’s hospitality you’re in need of, then SB’s hotels are ready to serve. There are even some promos you can look into, such as the “Third Night Free” promotion that’s on till September if you go with “Visit Santa Barbara”. This offer covers over a dozen resorts and hotels, some of them with LA ties.
The Mar Monte Hotel, which recently finished its “reimagination” worth multiple million dollars, is a place you’d want to go if you happen to appreciate seaside oasis setups. Vista Mar Monte, which is a historic building from the ‘30s, has been transformed and embellished with new interior design touches as well as top-notch amenities by LA-based Beleco, and now has an open lobby-cum-library which opens out onto a courtyard. The setting draws Spanish influences which are evident in the suites, rooms, bars, and eateries. Get your load of the Cal-Mediterranean themed Costa Kitchen & Bar and the smooth Lido Café while you’re here; both offer superb oceanfront views while you drink or dine, particularly during sunset hour. If you’ve been craving a romantic getaway, this is the perfect spot to come to.
Then you have the Kimpton Canary Hotel, which has done great work on its classy but whimsical property, and now offers cozy rooms, a rooftop pool area, a lobby, a bar, and a restaurant. The latter is named “Finch & Fork”, and is one of the must-visits if you’re ever in town. The renovated space here too was designed by Beleco, and reopened past spring. The look is totally new, and there’s a fun menu by Executive Chef Craig Riker.