Destination: Santa Barbara

Local Molly Prentiss discovers a favorite vacation spot in her own backyard.

Every time you vacation you can’t help but think the same thing: is the packing, planning, saving and spending really necessary?
A few months ago while sitting around a campfire at El Capitan Beach (a few miles north of Goleta), roasting marshmallows under the stars and feeling utterly free from all obligations, I realized life in Santa Barbara is much like a series of little vacations, sans the hassle of customs and currency exchange.

Earlier that day I had shopped at colorful farmer’s market, perused boutiques on State Street, jogged the bluffs above Sands Beach, and now here I was, soaking in the sunset with good friends. Santa Barbara, a treasured holiday spot for more than 6 million tourists a year, suddenly seemed like the perfect vacation destination even for those of us who live here year-round.

Ever since my epiphany, I’ve made a point of exploring the city the way a tourist would. My mission has included several outdoor excursions—hiking, whale watching, picnicking on the beach and a boat trip to the Channel Islands—along with visits to the Botanical Gardens and wine tasting at local wineries. In the same week, I toured a Latin American exhibit at the Santa Barbara Museum of art, enjoyed a concert at the Arlington Theater and visited the historic Santa Barbara Mission.

I’ve also tried eating at a different restaurant each week, savoring anything from Peruvian to Thai to Indian cuisine—since Santa Barbara hosts more than eateries per capita than any other U.S. city, I will not run out of places to dine anytime soon.

For those who really want to get away, many of the city’s hotels and bed and breakfasts provide a perfect haven. The Simpson House Inn, a Victorian estate complete with beautifully furnished cottages, sumptuous cuisine and top-notch service, reveals the old world charm of the city with a mixture of elegance and homey comfort. Hotel Mar Monte and Montecito Inn also spoil guests with luxurious surroundings.

With everything Santa Barbara has to offer, I’ve found it’s easy to escape, for a day or even just a few hours.