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2/9/11

LOVE-ly Santa Barbara

The true beauty about living in Southern California, is that one weekend you can be skiing Mt. Baldy and the next weekend you can be catching some rays at the Beach.  Last week I had to go to Santa Barbara for the local Film Festival and was lucky enough to call the Canary Hotel home for a few days. It has the most ideal location, a majestic mosaic lobby, a breathtaking roof top perch and bikes to rent to get you to and from where ever you choose to go. 

The thought of taking a car-less trip got me thinking about the upcoming Valentine holiday and the very fact that I have nothing on the books. So, if your plans are still up in the air, let me take some liberties and suggest a perfect one night, car-less, get away that will cost you about as much as dinner at Bouchon:   

Get Me There: Keep the car in the garage, jump on the metro or in a cab, and head to Union Station in Downtown LA. Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner offers tickets from LA to SB for as low as $32 round trip (less than you’d probably spend on gas), plus the train is BYOB. So pack a perfect picnic and a bottle of bubbly, sit back, relax and enjoy the ride (not to mention the amazing ocean views). Take the 7:30am train on Saturday morning which gets to Santa Barbara by 10:30am, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the day. The Canary is just six blocks up State St from the train depot. Take a left at Carrillo St and the hotel will be at the end of the block on your left side. Check in early, drop your bags, rent a bike and hit the town or head to the beach.

Give Me Food: Simple - La Supa Rica Taqueria. Julia Child got it right when she raved about this unassuming spot. I can honestly say there isn’t an item to skip on this menu and with a price point of $1-$5 you can’t go wrong. Come hungry, try everything, enjoy. Just remember its cash only and if you go at peak hours there maybe a line.  If you are looking for something a bit more romantic, order in. Coast is a great restaurant located in the hotel lobby and the food is to die for. They have a wonderful selection locally caught fresh fish and great prefix menu options as well as weekly specials that are a bit easier on the pocket book. Buy some local wines at East Beach Wine Co on State street and have room service deliver dinner to you while you relax by the roof top fire place, hot tub or pool.  

Let Me Sleep: There is just something about a hotel that provides yoga mats as well as plush robes upon arrival that screams ‘we know whats up’. Beautiful dark chocolate wood floors, calming paint colors and a seriously fantastic canopy bed. With rooms starting at $240 just click here and swoon.

 Happy Valentines Day ... xo

2 comments:

  1. Sounds like a wonderful get away. I have added it to my list of get aways.

    ReplyDelete
  2. You are amazing!!!! I can't wait to go!!!!

    ReplyDelete