Santa Barbara Weekend Getaway: a Brief Video

Beach in Carpenteria
Toes in the sand at Carpenteria Beach

Sometimes you just have to get out of dodge.

Summer time is the season to make the most of the great weather and have fun. Whether you’re taking road trip, swimming at a faraway swimming hole, or captaining a boat for a few hours, personal time outs are incredibly soothing for our busy lives. My husband and I decided to take a fast trip up north to Santa Barbara for a day to celebrate time off, each other, and the serenity that only new environs can give. Two hours in the car and a $90 motel stay isn’t a lot of time to invest for a mini-vacation. Oh, the dividends!Santa Barbara and Carpinteria

One of the few coastal cities in California blessed with ocean-adjacent mountains, Santa Barbara offers beautiful vistas no matter where you look. Spanish architecture, hills, ocean, galleries, restaurants of nearly every kind, early Catholic missions, and a bustling shopping area give visitors more than enough options to keep them busy.

Whenever I visit Santa Barbara, I hang most of my visit around the framework of where I’m eating. The culinary scene of Santa Barbara is constantly changing which keeps things fresh, even for the frequent visitor. The Agave Inn (a sister to the centrally located Presidio Motel) is located just outside of the main downtown and is a wonderful place for a short (and affordable) stay. The motel is a renovated motor lodge with a modern remake with a high-Mexican style. Just next door you’ll find a Plow to Porch, a tiny market that sells only locally grown meats, baked treats, and produce. Perfect for anyone wanting to make a picnic for the beach!

Hungry Cat Santa Barbara
Hungry Cat Santa Barbara

Hungry Cat in Santa Barbara is a perfect place to find great seafood, wonderful market-driven entrees, and handmade cocktails. Andersen’s is a quaint restaurant filled with attentive staff, happy to help you find the most perfect pastry to finish off your night. Jeannine’s is perfect for a breakfast or late lunch. With it’s outside seating, great atmosphere, friendly service, Stumptown coffee, healthy omelet options and a glass case filled with well made pastries, it’s a no brainer.

Take a stroll around the shops and be sure to poke your head into the local galleries. There’s some incredible art to be found, especially at Sullivan Goss on East Anapamu.

Drive a few minutes south to Carpinteria for a less glamorous look at sea-side living. This fishing-village and train stop town have a quaint downtown that has a few attractive antique stores and coffee shops to keep you entertained. Park your car and walk down to the beach for a picnic in the sun.

Ever since I made my first 8mm app iPhone movie, I’ve been having a lot of fun learning how to edit movies in iMovie. The old-timey look of the film stocks and the simplicity of editing has really got me thinking about the joy of making short movies.

11 Replies to “Santa Barbara Weekend Getaway: a Brief Video”

  1. I tell you what….video might very well become your new method of communication! You are GREAT at it.
    Plow to Porch looks like my kinda place. By the way my kids were glued to the screen watching.
    Must get back out to SB again soon.
    Have a great 4th.
    xo

  2. Loved this – and the video – especially the visit to the used book shop – one of my favorite places to browse on any trip. Happy 4th. x

  3. I am new to your blog, and I love this! Def love your writing style and the photos are awesome!

    Have a great weekend!!

  4. I love Carpinteria and Santa Barbara! we have been very fortunate thanks to Brooke and Hans for
    introducing us to such wonderful places, last night I watched Bravo and saw this two interior decorators, re-doing the Hungry Cat? it made me homesick. great report, great pictures, great job my dear Brooke! as always!
    And… today I try the honey and yogurt mask… I feel younger and beautiful It works!!! any other suggestions my dear? I am ready to try anything.

    Love you and miss you,

    Love,
    Luky

    1. Just a quick thank you for your sweet note. I’m love that you’ve tried out the yogurt mast and it’s doing good things. If I find anything else out I’ll be sure to tell you!

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