Dear Polite Travelers,
After more than a year of
hiding out from a mega virus and feeling travel deprived, we decided to drive
eight hours from our hamlet in Davis, Ca to America’s Riviera:
Santa Barbara.
Typically, we would scout out
all must-sees in the city and perhaps take a tour to learn more. Not this time. We had a scant two full days and felt we needed
less educational input and more pure bliss.
Santa Barbara certainly delivered on that.
Soak in the Fresh Ocean
Air
Arriving late in the
afternoon, we decided to spend our first few hours in our hotel: Hilton Santa
Barbara Beachfront Resort. Our lovely room included a balcony with a
peek-through ocean view and heady scents from the gardens down below sedating
our over-busy minds.
Freshening up, we headed to
our hotel’s beachfront restaurant, The Set.
While observing the mesmerizing ocean scene, we leisurely enjoyed a
light dinner with wine until our stress utterly melted away.
Quirky Lives on State
Street
For the next two days, we
spent most of our time strolling on or around the eight-block State Street promenade. On visual overload, I studied the intricacies
and attention to detail in most everything I spotted, from the ornate chairs
staged in front of an average restaurant, to the shiny red chandelier staged at
the opening of another. This is a
seriously quirky place.
Not So Hidden Bits
of History
Look closely at each
building. What do you see? Just the quirky or is there something
more...historical. I’m not talking Europe-type historical. After all, California as
we know it is relatively young. Still, a
few hundred years is historical to me.
Many of the buildings are
either Spanish Colonial or Mexican Adobe, although most of it feels and appears
Mediterranean. True to the architectural
styles, I find hidden courtyards filled with gardens featuring climbing
fragrant flowering vines. Lovely colorful
tiles line semi-hidden staircases. Adding
to the charm of this historical city, carved faces, objects and cornices adorn
and enhance many buildings of this area.
Beauty. Just
Because.
Attention to detail is
everywhere, and it isn’t all quirky.
Besides looking up, or even around.
Look down when walking the sidewalks of this street. Some are imprinted with a giant octagon. Why? I
assume it’s just because they’re pretty and unique. I mean really. How many cities have giant octagons on their
sidewalks?
One of the many fountains
sported a dolphin spilling water while a turtle enjoys a bath. In fact, dolphin and turtle statues appear in
quite a few areas. A bronze statue of
Benjamin Franklin sits on a bench reading a newspaper while a bronze bird
observes.
Will We Return?
With so many beautiful places
to see and people to meet, it’s difficult at this golden age to repeat a trip
even if it was wonderful. That said, I
love Santa Barbara. The people are nice, the weather is pleasant, and the beauty of the place is ingrained in my mind. The fusion of the sea, mountains, and architectural
beauty is a healthy tonic for a weary soul.
So, yes, we will return.
Please Read
Mobility Issues: Paso Robles, CA
California Travels: Solvang, CA
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