Santabarbara Hotel Blog

Santa Barbara Harbor & Seafood Festival - Courtesy (cfsb.info)

Event Name: Santa Barbara Harbor & Seafood Festival

Event Date & Time: 9th October 2010, 10am to 5pm

Event Venue: Waterfront Department, 132-A Harbor Way, Santa Barbara, CA

Event Organizers:

• City of Santa Barbara Waterfront Department
• Commercial Fishermen of Santa Barbara, Inc.
• Santa Barbara Maritime Museum
• Santa Barbara Harbor Merchants’ Association

The treat for seafood lovers is almost ready to be served hot this October, and its time to participate in the feast as Santa Barbara will once again be host to the Annual Santa Barbara Harbor & Seafood Festival. This seafood festival will take place on 9th October 2010 at 132-A Harbor Way Santa Barbara, CA. The Santa Barbara Seafood Festival draws thousands of people every year to the Waterfront to get the best treat and enjoy the fresh and juicy seafood like lobsters and barbequed albacore.

Featured Event Attractions & Activities

Seafood lovers from all over the world travel to Santa Barbara, California to experience the Santa Barbara Harbor & Seafood Festival, as October also marks the beginning of the annual lobster season. This festival will offer a treat of great food and fun which will be remembered by the locals and the visitors lifelong.

The 2010 Harbor & Seafood Festival of Santa Barbara event will mark its beginning with live music, great food and popular traditional exhibits. This one-day festival will be jam-packed like sardines with all family activities including a seafood & lobster booth, boat tours, seafood cooking demonstrations, arts & craft booths, pirate boat cruises, educational learning, live entertainment, ocean-related agencies, and much more.

Apart from the delicious lobsters and other seafood delicacies, there will also be some very special and free entertaining activities planned for the adults and kids like:

• Free boat rides aboard
• Double Dolphin
• Introductory sailing lessons by Santa Barbara Sailing Center
• Lil’ Toot Water Taxi Rides to Stearns Wharf and back
• Kid’s craft booths & Trivia Treasure Hunt
• Deep Sea Diving Demonstrations
• Urchin Harvesting Information Booth & assorted athletic activities

Tourists who intend to attend the 2010 Annual Santa Barbara Harbor & Seafood Festival will have a wide variety of accommodation options to choose from Santa Barbara Luxury Hotels to Santa Barbara Beachfront Hotels. There are hotels like the Eagle Inn or Harbor House Inn which offers special packages and deals to tourists attending the Harbour & Seafood Festival.

September 22nd, 2010 | Tags: Annual Santa Barbara Harbor & Seafood Festival, harbor & seafood festival 2010, october events santa barbara, santa barbara beachfront hotels, santa barbara events 2010, santa barbara hotel bookings, santa barbara seafood festival, santa barbara upcoming events | Category: Events-Enertainment | Comments (18)

Escaping to a private getaway tucked away in a land where nothing interferes with nature is a click away. That’s right! You can escape to beautiful and tranquil Santa Barbara and stay in up-market accommodations from Santa Barbara hotels’ and vacation rentals without missing the comforts of home.
These establishments offer tastefully furnished Santa Barbara luxury rentals at competitive prices in magnificent properties such as Casa del Cielo, Colonial Classic, Riviera Sunset, Simply Paradise, Vista Grande, Shoreline Cottage, Private Jewel, and many more.
Santa Barbara hotels and vacation rentals understand customers’ needs to enjoy comfortable accommodation while away on vacation and in doing so offers some of the best Santa Barbara luxury rentals at affordable prices. The tasteful accommodation is guaranteed to make your vacation that extra bit special and comes equipped with a variety of amenities to remind you of the comforts of home.
These amenities include bath towels, bath mat, hair dryer, bed linen, breakfast trays, hangers, cozy robes, cutlery, utensils, cable TV, wood or gas burning fireplace, DVD, high-speed Internet, washer and dryer, iron, cleaning supplies and much more. On arrival, guests receive a complimentary beverage of their choice and are welcomed by friendly yet professional staff. The company has done everything possible to ensure that you have a comfortable stay while in one of their Santa Barbara luxury rentals so that you can spend your time thoroughly enjoying your well deserved vacation.
The Santa Barbara luxury rentals are true to their description encompassing you in the lap of luxury. These rentals are professionally decorated and furnished with superior quality furniture that has been coordinated by interior designers. Once you step into one of these Santa Barbara luxury rentals you will forget your daily stresses and savor every moment spent relaxing in the bath or enjoying a leisurely breakfast in bed.
But don’t limit yourself to the comforts of your lodging; take time out to partake in some exciting activities available in Santa Barbara. The luxury rentals are in close proximity to swimming pools, tennis clubs, golf courses, the movies and much more. You can rejuvenate at a massage spa or take a beautiful sunset cruise, visit points of interest and experience the art of wine-making by taking one of the famous wine tours. After all, Santa Barbara shot to viticultural stardom after the movie Sideways and now commands some of the highest prices in America for its grape varieties.
Imagine engaging in friendly banter with the locals, indulging in leisurely breakfasts, spending the day rejuvenating and watching unbelievable sunsets while retiring at the end of the day to comfortable Santa Barbara luxury rentals. Now you can have all this by booking tasteful accommodation at unbeatable prices and you will be on your way to experiencing a memorable adventure!

December 16th, 2009 | Tags: beach rentals, cottage rentals, luxury house, santa barbara luxury rentals, santa barbara luxury vacation rentals, santa barbara vacation rental | Category: Tourist Information | Comments (68)

If you have not experienced the waterfront on Santa Barbara when the sun sets, you have never experienced beauty at its best. The Stearns Wharf and Santa Barbara harbor attract thousands of visitors that enjoy the diverse historical sights and other delightful attractions like the Ty Warner Sea Center aquarium.
This is just the tip of the iceberg that this sensational holiday destination offers you. Set against beautiful mountain backdrops and pristine beaches that stretch in both directions, you have everything you can wish for in a delightful and unforgettable coastal vacation. For honeymooning couples or partners that would like to renew their vows we are pleased to offer a wide variety of Santa Barbara bed-and-breakfasts that provide a cozy, romantic home away from home.
There are a dozen of properties in Santa Barbara that you can rent on a monthly basis. They are fully equipped with every amenity you could wish for. If you prefer not to cook, then you can choose Santa Barbara’s bed-and-breakfasts. During your visit, there are dozens of gorgeous restaurants with cuisine of every sort, from as simple as hamburgers to excellent seafood cooked to perfection.
Santa Barbara is a busy tourist spot with visitors flocking here from all over the world. It is simple to see why, with so much to experience in sights and activities that will be enjoyed by people of any age. If you really want to get away from it all and just relax, then a Santa Barbara bed-and-breakfast package is certainly a great choice. For visitors that choose to stay for a week or month, then a fully equipped unit may be a more sensible choice.
Some Santa Barbara bed-and-breakfasts are available in stunning locations with the majority offering you a beautiful view of the ocean. You are just minutes away from all the exciting places there are to visit. If you prefer to just unwind on the beach and relax from the stresses and strains of modern life, you will find yourself in a world of your own. Friendly locals take care of visitors knowing that they are an important source of revenue to Santa Barbara and are more than willing to assist you and help you enjoy your stay.
Have a look at cost-effective rates for any time during the year when you visit the Santa Barbara tourism website and find Santa Barbara bed-and-breakfast packages at selective locations. Accommodations are planned in the comfort of your own home using Internet technology. Should you need any assistance the friendly staff can be contacted using the details on the website. Come to your Santa Barbara home away from home any time during the year but book in advance to avoid disappointment.

December 16th, 2009 | Tags: b&b santa barbara, getaway santa barbara, romantic santa barbara, santa barbara accomodations, santa barbara bed and breakfast, santa barbara resorts | Category: Tourist Information | Comments (68)

Many of us reveled in the beauty of the setting in the movie Sideways and were transported to a place that flourished with peace and happiness and laughter. That place still exists and is inviting you to take a vacation to get away from all the hassles of daily life; that place is Santa Barbara! Santa Barbara is a county located on the Pacific coast of California and is famous for its wine country, thanks to Sideways which featured it.
It is graced with rolling hills, oak trees, and cattle ranches, creating a picturesque landscape that is tranquil and enchanting; the perfect spot for relaxing your mind and rejuvenating your body! Get away from the bustling city today; visit this beautiful county and indulge in up-market accommodation in Santa Barbara hotels.
There are various lodging companies that offer private getaways tucked away along the beautiful coastline of Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. The accommodation caters to clients seeking upscale lodging with all the comforts of home. Available hotels and vacation home rentals offer clients accommodation in tasteful Santa Barbara hotels and lodging that come fully stocked with numerous amenities such as bath towels, hair dryer, bed linen, cable TV, BBQ, wood or gas burning fireplace, high speed Internet, cutlery, utensils, etc.
By visiting the Santa Barbara tourism authority website you will find convenient and affordable Santa Barbara hotels and lodging that can be rented for short- or long-term periods depending on what you desire. Santa Barbara is the ideal place to vacation at; there are so many activities and interesting places to see, such as playing golf, visiting massage and day spas, going to the movies, having a swim in one of the community pools, experiencing a sunset cruise or visiting the local churches, synagogues, and temples.
One thing you should not miss when you vacation in Santa Barbara is the spectacular wine tour. The county is famous for its Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Rhone varieties and is said to produce America’s most expensive grapes. You can experience the true way of making and tasting wine and be privy to some of the best viticulturalists’ secrets. To find out more about the various activities available in the area, weather, bike rentals, child care facilities, transport schedules etc and plan a fun-filled itinerary for your vacation, do thorough research.
Accommodation in Santa Barbara hotels and lodging is easily available and takes away most of the responsibility of planning a fabulous vacation. You can be assured that you will receive professional and friendly service and first-class accommodation when you book Santa Barbara hotels online.
Its time to take that well deserved vacation and Santa Barbara is just the place for you! Indulge in casual, friendly banter with the neighbors, savor tantalizing breakfasts in your spacious and comfortable bedroom in one of the Santa Barbara hotels, take leisurely rides around the county and finish your day watching a spectacular sunset. That is what a real vacation is like in Santa Barbara!

December 16th, 2009 | Tags: harbor view inn hotel santa barbara, santa barbara bed and breakfast, santa barbara best hotels, santa barbara downtown hotels, santa barbara hotels, santa barbara lodging | Category: Tourist Information | Comments (49)

A hundred years ago, the movers and shakers in the motion picture business sought a sunny, exotic locale to establish themselves. They discovered Santa Barbara, California. That was where they chose to launch their industry. Thus the very first movie studio, Flying a Films, was born. Now you can discover this glorious area, too.

Still a popular vacation spot for the stars, this American Riviera is a delight to visit at any time, with a pleasant year-round climate. And the best way to start planning your trip is pay a visit to websites associated with Santa Barbara tourism. Websites can connect you to a number of alternatives for Santa Barbara lodging. If you are looking for information on Santa Barbara hotels, you will find it here. Or perhaps you would like to rent one of the many Santa Barbara vacation homes to use as the base for your family vacation. You have a plethora of options from which to choose.

Santa Barbara boasts of an amazing blend of architectural styles. Its sunny climate lends itself to Spanish and other Mediterranean designs with stucco, wrought iron, and red roof tiles dotting the area. You will find some Moorish and Islamic forms mixed in as well. Many of Santa Barbara vacation rentals reflect these influences.

The incredible climate also highlights the natural beauty of the area. You can be settled in the midst of it in one of the many Santa Barbara vacation homes for rent. As far as flora goes, this region produces the most orchids in the United States. The city also boasts of a variety of fauna. In fact, the Santa Barbara Channel is one of the country’s richest sources of seafood. People as well as nature can be inspired by the area: McDonald’s Egg McMuffin was created here in 1968.

However, Santa Barbara is probably most famous for its stunning beaches. Stretching along the Pacific coast, they beckon visitors to leave their troubles behind for days of blissful relaxation. Let the ocean breeze wash over you as the palm trees sway behind you. Gaze out at the sun glinting off the waves and the sails of boats dotting the water. And what better way to end your day than by letting Nature treat you to a glorious sunset over the ocean?

You do not have to be a star to enjoy California’s special retreat; you just have to have connections. Doing some research and exploring your options will help you find the best choices in Santa Barbara hotels or other Santa Barbara vacation rentals. Sort your selections by amenities, such as whether it has a kitchen, or by location, number of bedrooms, or price. You will certainly find some Santa Barbara lodging just right for you.

December 16th, 2009 | Tags: attraction santa barbara, santa barbara pictures, santa barbara restaurants, santa barbara sites, santa barbara tourism, santa barbara visit | Category: Tourist Destinations | Comments (5)

As an idyllic city on the coast of California, Santa Barbara has a large tourist population that can choose from a number of hotels for a luxurious and relaxing retreat.

Santa Barbara is a city on the South Coast of California. It has direct access to the Pacific coast and as such is likened to the French Riviera due to its Mediterranean climate. Given its reputation as the “American Riviera”, there is a constant stream of people that visit the city. There are several hotels in the city to provide lodging for these tourists.

Placed in between Stearns Wharf and the Santa Barbara harbor, the Hotel Oceana Santa Barbara is an oceanfront hotel that provides its customers with both ocean and mountain views. Smack dab in the middle of the Santa Barbara West Beach, this 122 room hotel is at the center of Santa Barbara’s social scene.

The rooms at the Hotel Oceana Santa Barbara were designed by Kathryn Ireland to reflect the aesthetics that are often found in beach wear style. All rooms are provided with Egyptian cotton linens, toiletries by Aveda, down pillows and comforters, as well as music players or iPod docking stations. There are two outdoor pools and a whirlpool in the vicinity of the hotel. It also has private poolside cabanas, an outdoor garden and a fully equipped fitness center.

The Hotel Oceana Santa Barbara also has a spa that offers a full range of body and facial treatments to help the guests get some rest and relaxation. The spa offers several kinds of massages such as Swedish, Deep Tissue, or a Combination. The products from local companies are also used for some of the treatments as with the Dermystique European Facial and the Cell Renewal Oxygen Facial. There are also several body treatments offered by the Hotel Oceana Spa. Some body treatments are the Anti-Stress Back Treatment, Tropical Paradise, Signature Sugar Scrub, Chocolate Bliss, and Lavender Purifying Mud Wrap. There is also a special package called the Special Spa Boreh Wrap, which consists of several whole body treatments, which will last half a day.

At 31 West is a cozy luxury hotel called the Canary Hotel. Each of the rooms is designed with Spanish Isle influences and hits of Moroccan design. All equipped with yoga mats and four poster beds, guests can choose to relax, play music on their iPods via an in-room docking station, or surf the Internet with the wireless Internet access.

The Canary Hotel also has a pool at the rooftop wherein visitors can take in a view of the clear blue ocean, the Channel Islands as well as the Santa Ynez Mountains. Aside from the pool, there is also a Jacuzzi and a fireplace situated at the rooftop to provide guests with an array of choices.

The hotel provides in-room spa service so that the guest can get a pampering experience right in the comfort of his or her own room. For those intent on getting some energy-boosting exercise, the Spectrum Gym is located right beside the hotel.

The hotel also has a special package for guests’ pet dogs. Club Canario is the Canary Hotel’s pampering and caretaking program. It provides dogs with their own beds and linens, a limited edition collar, a doggie dish and a grooming kit.

These are just some examples of available Santa Barbara hotels; other hotels in the city are Hotel Santa Barbara, the Hampton Inn, the Casa Mina, Best Western Encina Lodge and Suites, Inn by the Harbor, Colonial Beach Inn, and Pepper Tree Inn and the Santa Barbara Inn.

December 16th, 2009 | Tags: cheap santa barbara hotels, santa barbara airport hotels, santa barbara bed and breakfast, santa barbara best hotels, santa barbara downtown hotels, santa barbara hotels | Category: Tourist Information | Comments (79)

Santa Barbara hotels are truly great destinations for an unforgettable vacation. One of the most admired hotels in Santa Barbara is the Inn By The Harbor Hotel located at W. Montecito St., Santa Barbara. The hotel offers a one of a kind experience of enchantment, as it is located by the sea, and shows off a Spanish Colonial ambience. The Inn serves its guests continental meals and wines that you will surely enjoy.

For wine enthusiasts, however, there is a better way to get a taste of Santa Barbara’s locally aged wines.
The Firestone Vineyard was established in 1972 by the Firestone family composed of the legendary tire innovator Harvey Firestone, his son and the former US Ambassador to Belgium, Leonard Firestone, and Leonard’s son, Brooke Firestone. At present, Firestone Vineyard advances its acclaimed record for being the first estate winery in the County of Santa Barbara when Bill Foley acquired the winery in September 2007.

The Firestone Vineyard has two tasting rooms: the Santa Ynez Valley Tasting Room and the Paso Robles Tasting Room. Paso Robles Tasting Room in Paso Robles, which was founded in early 2007, is quite far from Santa Barbara. The Santa Ynez Valley is on the other hand located in Los Olivos, California, a few miles away from Santa Barbara County where the Inn by the Harbor hotel is located.
Surrounded by 500-acre estate vineyards, the Santa Ynez Valley Winery features its barrel cellar, fermentation cellar, crush pad, and bottling line as the processing equipments for vine to the bottle production. Recently, the winery remodeled and expanded its tasting room that displays its island bar and picture windows overlooking the estate vineyards and the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley.

The tasting room is open to the public from 10 AM to 5 PM daily, while tours are offered at 11:15 AM, 1:15 PM, and 3:15 PM. Each wine enthusiast is charged a $10 tasting fee, inclusive of a keepsake crystal logo glass from Firestone. Popular places where the tour guide could take you are the estate vineyards, the demonstration cork tree, and into the production of fine wine from vine to glass. With the tour comes a relay of the history of the winery, the Firestone story, and the like. The Firestone Vineyard also offers tours and tasting package deals catering to large groups, with a fee of $15 per person.

When you are at the Firestone Vineyards, you will definitely experience an exceptional alfresco picnic adventure while tasting a variety of delicately and deliciously preserved wines.

December 15th, 2009 | Tags: alban vineyards, firestone vineyard, firestone vineyard wine, firestone vineyards, vineyard for sale | Category: Santa Barbara Tourist Information | Comments (22)

Colonial Beach Inn is the Southern romantic charm of Santa Barbara. Strategically, it is located near the county’s famous attractions such as the Santa Barbara Mission, Stearns Wharf, the oceanfront bike path, and world-class golf courses. Apart from these attractions that can be found nearby if you are staying at the Colonial Beach Inn, there is another must-see site that offers a different kind of attraction. For families, couples, and groups looking for an adventure into the wild, the Santa Barbara Zoo is the place to be.

The 30-acre Santa Barbara Zoo was first established in 1963 by a group of dedicated community volunteers. The zoo was then and up to now a private non-profit corporation that preserves, conserves, and enhances wildlife through research, education, and recreation. Today, the Zoo has more than 500 volunteers and is recognized as one of the most beautiful zoos in the world. The Santa Barbara Zoo is strategically placed along Niños Drive in Santa Barbara – just a short drive away from the Colonial Beach Inn. The Zoo’s beautiful location is overlooking the Pacific Ocean and provides scenic views of the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Andree Clark Bird Refugee.

At the Santa Barbara Zoo you can choose from the many attractions to go to. It is home to many animals and even insects which are exhibited everywhere inside. The exotic wildlife that you see in magazines and in TV is brought to real life at the Zoo through the African Veldt, California Nature Walk, Cats of Africa, Channel Island Fox, Crawford Family, Penguin House, Elephant Walk and many more.
If you are fond of birds like lories and lorikeets, then you will surely enjoy feeding them at Lorikeets Landing. On another hand, you may also want to feed the Baringo giraffes at the Zoo. If you are afraid of feeding the live animals, you can instead enjoy riding on one of the hand-carved exotic animals on the Zoo’s carousel. Kids will definitely enjoy their visit when they get a ride on the carousel. And not only that, but the Zoo also offers another ride to visitors of this time, all ages. When you are at the Santa Barbara Zoo, do not miss out on the Zoo Train ride, which will take you around the Zoo’s perimeter for a more relaxed and fun way to look around. As you go around the Zoo, you can bring with you grilled dishes, sandwhiches and other tasty delights from the Ridley Tree House Restaurant, or if you want, you can also stay there to eat before you decide to go into your wildlife adventure around the Zoo.
The Santa Barbara Zoo is open to the public from 10 AM to 5 PM, except on Christmas. For $11, adults can enjoy the attraction that the Zoo offers, $9 for seniors and children from 2-12 years old, and free for children under two.

Plants and animals that make up the wildlife are becoming more and more endangered each day. We will definitely appreciate their beauty and importance and more importantly, learn how to preserve wildlife if we have a better understanding of it. At the Santa Barbara Zoo, you will learn not only to appreciate the beauty of wildlife but also to recognize the importance of it. At the same time, you will be having the time of your life with family and friends.

December 15th, 2009 | Tags: into the wild book, parents busy zoo, santa barbara zoo, santa barbara zoo coupons, zoo animals, zoo gifts | Category: Santa Barbara Tourist Information | Comments (16)

When you are looking for luscious greens and wide garden sceneries outside the Santa Barbara hotels, look into the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is located at Mission Canyon Road in Santa Barbara, California and it is known for promoting science and education, with its native California plants and systems of strategic learning and scholarship offers. The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden focuses on pursuing advanced plant life education, at the same time providing its visitors a fulfilling experience. It is dedicated to research on, conserve, and display plants that are native in California.

The botanic garden was founded in 1925 but was only named the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden in 1939. It successfully preserved its cultural and architectural heritage as its rich legacy. Then in 2003, it was remarkably partnered with the community and the County of Santa Barbara Historic Landmarks Advisory Commission.

The native California plants that the garden exhibits are carefully and lavishly placed in beautiful landscapes that you will definitely admire. It also has a Garden Shop where you can find books, educational sources, distinctive gifts, and many more souvenirs from the garden. Educational classes are also offered by the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, for those who want to pursue their interests in Botany. It offers Botanic Garden Lectures, Seminars & Special Events, Botanical Arts & Culture, Botany & Natural History, Field Courses, and many others.

The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden keeps a library that goes with its living collection and herbarium. Its collection serves as a resource and foundation for its education and horticulture and research programs. The garden’s collections displays over 1,000 taxa of plants all over the garden and over 15,000 books and journals in the library. The herbarium on the other hand features a collection of California’s preserved central coast plants which are composed of more than 140,000 plants specimens.

The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is open to the public seven days week, with the exclusion of holidays. Admission varies according to the visitors’ age – $58 for adults, $56 for seniors, also $56 for students, children aged 13-17, and active military, all with IDs, $54 for children aged 2-12, and free for children below 2 years old. During weekdays at 2 PM and weekends at 11 AM and 2PM, the botanic garden offers guided tours for its visitors.

With the widest collection of plants in Santa Barbara and whether for learning, research, or exploration and just looking around, the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is surely a perfect place for everyone to see.

December 15th, 2009 | Tags: arboretum, botanic garden, destination cheap, powell gardens, the botanical gardens | Category: Santa Barbara Tourist Information | Comments (41)