Leamington and Warwick Living Mar - Apr 2020

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a Slice of SANTA BARBARA Kate O’Connell tackles the culinary scene of Santa Barbara. One mouthful at a time... Harbor View Inn Hotel 30
When it comes to traveling, shockingly enough I had yet to actually get round to visiting the USA. This also came as a surprise to my fellow journalists on this trip. Our two nations are bound together by much history, an overlap in religion, a common legal system and language, so how had I not visited at least one state at one time or another? Who knows. Our family holidays didn’t stretch that far I guess. Which may explain my eagerness when I was offered the chance to explore Santa Barbara. Quite the destination for a first time visitor to the USA! Aptly nicknamed ‘The American Riviera’, Santa Barbara is situated 90 miles (a 2 hour car journey) north of Los Angeles, tucked within a south-facing pacific coastline on one side, and the rolling hills that stretch into the Santa Ynez Mountains on the other. But it is its charm and sense of style that makes this small city so tempting - indeed it is a hotspot favourite for the rich and famous, with a whole host of A-list celebrities calling Santa Barbara home. If there’s one things that strikes you, it’s that Santa Barbara doesn’t really feel like a city at all. There’s no hustle and bustle here, instead just a wonderfully laid-back, chilled vibe. Infused with the spirit of Spain, we were informed that 6.8 magnitude earthquake near enough flattened the city back in 1925. Devastating yes, but like a phoenix from the ashes, this proved the making of the city in terms of architecture, as the city planners were convinced to rebuild the city in a unified, Spanish Colonial Revival style inspired by the historic Old Mission (founded by Spanish Franciscans in 1786). Red-tiled clay top roofs and white washed walls litter every building, and in addition to the climate, give the city its Mediterranean charm. Our first stop; checking in to the newly developed North Wing of Harbor View Inn hotel. A premier beachfront hotel, Harbour View Inn is centrally located within the city, and made for a fabulous base to start our trip. My room featured a very inviting king size bed, complimented by gorgeous modern Spanish Colonial furnishings, and to top it off - a balcony view, a chance to sip on a morning coffee and watch the world go by. But not yet. First; dinner! We made a short walk around the block to Loquita Restaurant for some authentic Spanish tapas. Created as a love letter to the Spanish origins and history of Santa Barbara, Loquita’s showcases a medley of paellas, charcuterie, cheeses and seafood. We were offered a sample of a variety of dishes on the menu, with the squid ink seafood paella being a personal favourite of mine. After a restful nights sleep in my luxuriously comfy bed, I was ready for a day of exciting activities. To get us started, we required a hearty breakfast, and Goat Tree was just the place to go. A gourmet cafe with a relaxed vibe, Goat Tree offers everything from fresh pastries and baked goods cooked in-house by their resident pastry chef, through to cooked breakfasts with a Mediterranean twist. I opted for the classic Shakshuka, accompanied by homemade flat bread. Possibly the best, tastiest start to a morning ever. Feeling suitably energised, it was time for a spot of kayaking down at the harbour front, courtesy of Santa Barbara Adventure Company. Kayaking is a great way to view a side of Santa Barbara that perhaps few visitors get to see, so it felt like such a treat. Not only this, it was a perfect opportunity to spot some of the resident wildlife. Loquita Restaurant 31
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Leamington and Warwick Living Mar - Apr 2020

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