| From the Wharf we headed up State Street, which runs through the heart of downtown Santa Barbara. State Street is lined with bars, restaurants, an axe-throwing emporium (!), and a couple of spas. We passed on the axe-throwing but treated our weary feet to an excellent massage at the Little Rainbow Foot Spa.
The next morning, I borrowed a bike from the inn and headed out on an hour-long, mostly flat bike ride along the Cabrillo Bike Path to Butterfly Beach in Montecito. I didn’t see any butterflies, but I did pass a bird refuge on the way. It was a relaxing way to start the day, as if I needed anything else to mellow me out.
My mellow meter went through the roof on our last morning. My favorite activity of the trip was a two-hour kayak paddle off the Goleta coast, just north of Santa Barbara, run by the Santa Barbara Adventure Company. This section of the coast is relatively undeveloped, so the views were epic, including many pelicans and cormorants.
Eating, drinking and shopping Food options abound in Santa Barbara from funky taco stands to elegant fine dining. The two cuisines that dominate the culinary scene are Mexican and seafood, not surprising given the Southern California city’s location on the ocean. We indulged in both.
Our first meal — a pound of mussels, a pound of clams and a large crab — was at Moby Dick’s on Stearns Wharf, with views of the harbor as we chowed down. Our last meal featured outstanding local fare with a Mexican twist at La Paloma Café, located downtown.
The culinary highlight of our visit was a wine tasting in the historic Presidio section of the city, near State Street. The Santa Ynez Valley, just a short, scenic drive over the mountains, is home to excellent wineries and vineyards.
One can drive from one to another in the Valley or walk a few yards from one tasting room to another in the city. The wines rival those of Europe, particularly when sipped amid beautiful outdoor patios, cobblestone pathways, and historic Spanish Colonial and Mission-style buildings.
We visited two tasting rooms: Jamie Slone, which included a chocolate pairing, is in the historic El Paseo, one of California’s oldest shopping centers, and Grassini’s which serves its wines in a quiet, secluded outdoor patio. The vibe, as well as many of the wines, was very chill.
After the tastings, we were able to walk (stagger, weave?) just three blocks to the La Paloma Café for dinner. If so inclined, we could have walked another block or two to State Street, but we declined the opportunity to hurl an axe at a wall. |
