It was perhaps my enthusiasm at this opportunity that had me labelled a ‘Twitcher’ on this trip. On every dock we manoeuvred around brought hoards of enormous pelicans, gangly herons and rather amusing loons to name but a few. We even managed to paddle right up to a raft of sealions. So much of the wildlife on show were species that I had never seen out of captivity, it was a very special morning indeed. I can’t say I am a particularly experienced kayaker, having only dabbled on holidays in the past, but I needn’t have worried. The Adventure Company specialise in providing tours for all abilities, so I was in safe hands! A great way to experience the harbour front is to sample some of the specialities, and so with this we took a stroll over to Stearns Wharf; California’s oldest wharf named after builder John P. Stearns. There we took some seats at Santa Barbara Shellfish Company, and were served an array of locally caught seafoods, all washed down with some local beer. To get more of an overview of the city, we then took a ‘trolley tour’ via Santa Barbara Trolley Co. This 90 minute tour is lead by a highly insightful guide, who beguiled us with all sorts of interesting facts about the city, as well as a little local celeb gossip on the side! After a quick freshen up it was time for a bite to eat. Cue...Cubaneo restaurant! Californian Cuban cuisine served alongside cocktails from Shaker Mill who neighbour within the same premises. It is easy to see how you could happily waste away an evening here, and we did just that! With a cubano sandwich in one hand and a ‘Bay of Santiago’ cocktail in the other, you could have easily fooled us into thinking we were in Havana! After another restful night's sleep, I skipped breakfast in order to make room for the immense amount of food we would be sampling on the Eat This, Shoot That! Funk Zone Food & Photo tour. A three-hour expedition, this is a chance to sample some of Santa Barbara’s finest fodder, as well as learn a little more about the city’s history, all while discovering how best to maximize your photo-taking ability, achieving the most Instagramworthy images that will make you the envy of all your friends. The tour is also a great chance to get to grips with the layout of the city. Santa Barbara is made up of several districts, one of which, The Funk Zone, has seen its popularity boom in recent decades. Comprising of a series of converted warehouses, this contemporary district is very much the place to be to sample artisan foods from up-and-coming chefs, 22 | www.guildfordliving.co.uk and out-of-this-world Santa Barbara Country wines. Shop fronts and walls are adorned with graffiti murals and art pieces; this district really is an everevolving artistic neighbourhood that is well worth a visit. It was then time to travel up into the foothills to our next hotel. And what an iconic hotel indeed. The Belmond El Encanto. Recently renovated in 2013, Belmond El Encanto offers stunning views of the American Riviera and a whole heap of Hollywood glamour on the side. This resort manages to feel relaxed and low-key, while at the same time feeling like the most exclusive place on earth. Sitting poolside whilst sipping a glass of ‘Belmond El Encanto Cuvee’, life truly feels timeless up here. It’s little wonder that it was a favoured getaway of the Hollywood elite. We made our way back down from the hills to State Street for an Italian feast at Due Lune Cucina. Serving fresh ingredients and hand-made pasta, I would have been mad not to order the Linguine alle Vongole. This was paired with some fabulous local wines, and the staff couldn’t have been more friendly and attentive. We topped off the night with a nightcap at Pearl Social; an intimate and beautifully furnished cocktail bar. The night felt like a very classy affair indeed. Somehow, our final day had sadly rolled around already! It was time to do a spot of botanical sight seeing. Lotusland was our destination. This 37-acre estate and botanic garden is situated in the foothills of Montecito, which is located to the east of Santa Barbara. Purchased by the rather marvellous socialite Madame Walska (Google her, honestly!), she spent 43 years designing the gardens to her liking. To say they were breathtaking is an understatement. Home to all sorts of exotic, rare collections of plants, this is truly a garden like no other. After another spot of wine tasting at some of the local establishments (it would be rude not to!), we made our way to Bibi Ji for dinner. A modern take on traditional Indian cuisine, Bibi Ji are experts at pairing quality, local wines with the most brilliant of dishes. The moment came when the aptly nicknamed ‘Californian Gold’ was bought out; Santa Barbara’s locally caught sea urchins. Beautifully presented, and filled with biryani rice, I couldn’t lie...I was a little hesitant to try them. After all, my only knowledge of them was to avoid standing on them when on sandy beaches abroad. I needn’t have worried. Creamy and indulgent, they were fantastic. What a dish. And what a trip. At a glance 2 nights at harbor view inn hotel, 2 nights at belmond el encanto hotel, private transfers and return flights with Norwegian air. Parking and lounge access with holiday extras. No1 Lounge at Gatwick Airport (South Terminal) from £26 PP Harbor view inn - Nightly Rates vary from $268.00- $400.00 belmond el encanto - nightly room rates start from $560 (inc tax), suites from $811 (inc tax) www.santabarbaraca.com
Belmond El Encanto Hotel Kayaking around Santa Barbara harbour Bibi Ji Restaurant www.guildfordliving.co.uk | 23
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