Santa Rosa is by far the largest city in Sonoma County - the hub if you will in which all the other towns radiate out on the 'spokes'. Along with Santa Rosa, the 101 corridor is home to the largest cities in the county including Petaluma, Rohnert Park and Windsor. Other towns in the county are generally small. There is a marked difference between the west county and the interior of the county (related to the frigid Pacific Ocean) which … [Read more...]
Santa Barbara, CA
Santa Barbara is like a bright tapestry, woven from time, and enriched with the colors of history and culture. Some cities grow old and then slowly die. Santa Barbara never grows old, just more elegant and appreciative of its past. Words cannot begin to describe the intimacy and sophisticated flavor of this city, only experience and a stay here, can do that. In 1925 a devastating earthquake left the downtown in ruins. Santa Barbara … [Read more...]
Santa Barbara, CA – Colleges
MUSIC ACADEMY OF THE WEST is a prestigious music conservatory tucked away in the hills above the ocean just east of downtown Santa Barbara. Take Cabrillo Blvd to Channel Drive and turn off on Fairway Drive. There will be signs guiding you. Watch out for the one way streets. Not many tourists ever visit this academy (as it is a private campus). The campus is quite secluded and automatic gates are at the entrance and exit. Whenever we have … [Read more...]
Santa Barbara, CA – Attractions
Besides extensive shopping areas, wineries, the UCSB campus, beaches, Santa Barbara Mission, historical buildings, various museums, Stearns Wharf and the wonderful climate, numerous other attractions still need to be mentioned. These are a few that we have visited in Santa Barbara - all are listed in alphabetical order: Breakwater Flag Project. Numerous flag poles are located down on the break wall near the Santa Barbara Marina. On … [Read more...]
Santa Barbara, CA – Montecito & San Ysidro Ranch
Support those effected by the Thomas Fire - Donations can be made to the Salvation Army here: www.salvationarmy-socal.org/southern-california/news/socalfires Montecito is located just south of Santa Barbara off of the 101 freeway. Take the San Ysidro Road exit off of 101 and follow the road to Montecito, continuing straight past East Valley Road. Montecito (Spanish for "little mountain") is an exclusive residential area. Montecito has been … [Read more...]
Santa Barbara, CA – Nearby Santa Barbara
We have visited the following attractions or small towns - all of which are within a fairly short drive of Santa Barbara, all in Santa Barbara County. Buellton is strategically located on the cross section of where the 101 freeway passes under Highway 46 - about 45 minutes from Santa Barbara via the 101. One can also take the 154 to Buellton from Santa Barbara for a change of pace, but this drive is usually about 10 minutes slower. Buellton … [Read more...]
Santa Barbara, CA – Accomodation
There are over 5000 rooms in Santa Barbara ranging from full service resorts to moderately priced hotel/motels. Some of these hotels are incredible - there is such a choice its hard to know where to stay. There is also a large choice of bed and breakfast inns. The following list is only a partial one, but provides a sampling of the wide range of places to stay in Santa Barbara. The prices listed below range from the lowest (off season/single … [Read more...]
Santa Barbara, CA – Shopping
We always love to mix a little bit of shopping into our travels, especially in Santa Barbara. The city features numerous boutique shops, historical shopping centers, and galleries. Paseo Nuevo is one of our favorites; it is located between State and Chapala Streets in downtown Santa Barbara. Look for the orange trees planted along the walkways near the entrance to Paseo Nuevo along State Street. Usually there are oranges on the trees and … [Read more...]
San Luis Obispo, CA – Nearby Destinations
All cities, attractions and sites below are listed in alphabetical order AVILA BEACH is located next to a small bay in the 'shadow' of the Diablo Valley Canyon Nuclear Power Plant. Sometimes when shifts get off at the power plant a long line of cars will empty out all at once (this power plant is set to shut down in the year 2025). Avila Beach is a short drive from San Luis Obispo - only about 15 minutes. After taking the Avila Beach … [Read more...]
San Luis Obispo, CA – Madonna Inn
The Madonna Inn is located next to the 101, just south of downtown; this property is an eclectic blend of architecture and style. It is not named after the virgin Madonna but rather takes it's namesake from it's founder, Alex Madonna. Alex has part of the 101 freeway named after him and the nearby Madonna Road, and the nearby Madonna Peak on so forth. The inn sits on a property that encompasses more than 1,000 acres. There are a variety of … [Read more...]