The tourism community in Santa Barbara has long positioned the city as the American Riviera. While some in France might take exception, this coastal city does have much in common with the jewels of the Mediterranean: a majestic seashore, inviting beaches, the towering San Ynez Mountains and 300 days of sunshine a year. Awe-inspiring sunsets bring cooling winds to the popular alfresco dining scene.
Santa Barbara may not be France, but it’s a lot closer. Travelers arrive by air at Santa Barbara Airport, with service from most major American carriers. The city lies less than 100 miles from Los Angeles International Airport, but visitors can also drive up the coast on U.S. 101, checking out the surfers along the way. Santa Barbara’s wharf welcomes cruising passengers from several lines including Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and Seabourn Cruise Line.
Winters can be cool, windy and wet, but you won’t deal with snow and ice. Visitors and business travelers enjoy the mellow patio and palm bar scene almost year-round.
Explore two of Santa Barbara’s most popular restaurant and bar destinations, Funk Zone and downtown, where State Street transformed into a pedestrian entertainment district. A few other sites stand out as destinations worthy of a drive out of town. The Stonehouse at The San Ysidro Ranch sits among grounds as exciting as the fine-dining menu. Or head up the mountain to the Cold Spring Tavern on Highway 154, an old stagecoach stop serving since 1865 and famous for its wild game and tri-tip barbecue. For seafood, watch the sunset at Boathouse at Hendry’s Beach as you feast on the fresh catch and raw bar.
The Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail makes for a great tasting experience with more than 20 wineries, plus wine bars on almost every corner. Then visit Julia Childs’ favorite Mexican restaurant, La Super-Rica Taqueria, where she often took her visiting foodie friends.
LGBTQ+ visitors get a warm welcome with California cool at most hotels, restaurants and bars across the city, with a special invite at established clubs like Crush Bar & Tap, Wildcat Lounge and iconic Elsies Tavern on De La Guerra Street.
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FX Excursions
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Insta FeedSeptember 2023
Sep 25, 2023More Cruise Lines Move Toward Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Voyages
Less than five years ago the world’s first hybrid cruise ship, Hurtigruten Expeditions’ MS Roald Amundsen, set sail for Antarctica in November 2019 with 450 passengers. The battery-hybrid-powered ship, named for the first man to cross the continent and reach the South Pole, was built specifically for voyages in polar waters. Its battery-hybrid power reduces the ship’s consumption and CO2 emissions by 20 percent compared to equally sized ships.
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Sep 25, 2023What to Do If You Leave Something Behind on a Plane
A few months ago, I flew Polaris business class on a United flight from Dulles (IAD) to Paris (CDG). It was only when I got to my hotel in Paris I realized that I didn’t have my iPad or its bag or accessories. Since I had been working on it in the restaurant in the Polaris lounge and then went directly to the gate, I knew I either left it propped up on my table when I packed up or in my business-class seat. But what was the best method to alert the airline about my careless mishap and (hopefully) retrieve it? With spotty data and WiFi, searching for information on my phone was frustrating and slow. Here’s what I learned from the anxiety-inducing experience (and unexpected ending) about what to do if you leave something behind on your flight:
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Sep 25, 2023This 5-Star Resort Forms a New Identity on the Pacific Ocean
Solmar Hotels & Resorts introduces Grand Solmar Pacific Dunes, previously known as Grand Solmar at Rancho San Lucas, in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The hotel renewed its name and image to highlight the property’s natural attributes while maintaining the quality of its services and experiences.
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Sep 21, 2023Soak in Philadelphia’s Charm with This Epicurean Lovers Weekend Getaway
If fabulous food and beverages are a must-have for any weekend getaway, then look no further than the City of Brotherly Love. Whether your palate has a penchant for vibrant Latin American fare or cozy French cuisine, whether you're an oenophile looking to swirl, sniff and sip your way around the globe or you’d rather sample farm-to-glass cocktails, Philly’s got it all this fall. (With the exception of Bolo, which is a short taxi or Uber ride away and definitely worth the trip, the rest of these spots are all within walking distance of each other.)
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Sep 21, 2023These Hotels Have Some of the Best Room Views in the World
From Santoríni to Dubai to New York, some hotels just have that “it” factor that draws visitors far and wide. For some hotels it’s their proximity to popular landmarks and attractions, for others it’s their amenities. But these hotels have something few can claim: a true room with a view.
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