With sunny days as sweet and lingering as the finishes of the vintages from its many wineries, the southern California city of Santa Barbara rises gently from surfing and sunning beaches of the Pacific Ocean to miles of hiking trails on the sage-covered slopes of the Santa Ynez Mountains.
Crowned by the Queen of the Missions and with a Spanish courthouse once called the most beautiful building in America, Santa Barbara is the perfect setting for a luxury hotel getaway.
San Ysidro Ranch
In surroundings fragrant with the scent of eucalyptus and orange blossoms, the recently renovated San Ysidro ranch offers all the seclusion you could want on 500 acres of Santa Barbara foothills. Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh were married behind the gates of this romantic escape.
Each guest room or cottage has its own fireplace and terrace with hot tub, and the property abounds with breathtaking views of Santa Barbara and the Pacific. The hotel staff can arrange hiking outings into the foothills or at Refugio Beach north of the city, or book you a whale-watching trip along the Santa Barbara Channel. The hotel also has a year-around heated pool and fully equipped fitness center.
San Ysidro Ranch
900 San Ysidro Ln.
Santa Barbara, CA 93108
(805) 565-1700
sanysidroranch.com
Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore
The Four Season's classic Spanish Colonial architecture, immaculate sweeping lawns and lush gardens just steps from Santa Barbara's Butterfly Beach epitomize Santa Barbara's gracious lifestyle. Cool off in the jungle pool after a morning on one of the three tennis courts, or head out on a complimentary bicycle to explore downtown Santa Barbara. Some of California's best surfing is about 15 miles south at Rincon State Beach.
Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara
1260 Channel Dr.
Santa Barbara, CA 93108
(805) 969-2261
fourseasons.com/santabarbara
Bacara Resort & Spa
Nestled on 78 acres of bluff-top overlooking its own two-mile stretch of beach north of Santa Barbara, the Bacara Spa and Resort also includes a thousand-acre citrus ranch in the Santa Ynez foothills.
Guests can choose from a wide slate of outdoor activities, including snorkeling, surfing, kayaking, deep sea fishing and paragliding. Bike rentals and guided bike tours are available, as is hiking on the three ranch trails. The resort's three separate swimming pools and 26 private full-service cabanas are ideal for a day of pampered lounging in the sun.
Bacara Resort & Spa
8301 Hollister Ave.
Santa Barbara, CA 93117
(805) 968-0100
bacararesort.com/
About The Author
Judy Wolfe has owned Prose for the Pros, a freelance writing business, since 2006. She's been an inveterate traveler since 1961. Wolfe holds a Bachelor of Arts in literature from California State University at Pomona
