Winchester Lifestyle Feb - Mar 2020

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
travelling companions 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
roofs and white washed walls are a feature of 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 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 night's 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
23