Santa Barbara, CA Destination
Palm tree lined beaches on the Pacific, Mediterranean climate, the rising slopes of the Santa Ynez Mountains, and the heavenly scents of jasmine and orange blossoms are all sensory treats that make Santa Barbara, CA an unforgettable luxury hotel destination. Located a short one hundred miles from Los Angeles, Santa Barbara is conveniently located near the big city, yet is a world of it’s own in a peaceful environment at the same time. The Spanish architecture of red tiled roofs, elegant garden courtyards, breathtaking landscapes, and dramatic Pacific sunsets, invite you to relax, slow down, and take in the sophistication of the small luxury hotels of Santa Barbara. The wide variety of restaurants, superb shopping, exciting nightlife, and cultural institutions draw traveling tourists from all around the world to the world-class luxury hotel destination of Santa Barbara.
Santa Barbara Luxury Hotels
The luxury hotels of Santa Barbara are scattered throughout the diverse area, offering the savvy traveler a choice of beautiful settings to suit the specific purpose of their visit. For a little fun in the sun, a beachfront luxury hotel resort offers a romantic retreat to celebrate a special occasion. If you’re up for some fast paced action, perhaps a luxury hotel located in downtown Santa Barbara, recreating the history and intrigue of Santa Barbara’s colonial Spanish heritage, is the perfect fit for you. The joy of the luxury hotel experience is found within the elegance of your surroundings, the attentive service, and superior amenities. Santa Barbara has so much to offer the luxury hotel visitor. Earning the moniker America’s Riviera, this Californian jewel is any luxury hotel guest’s dreamland.
Santa Barbara History
The Chumash people, Santa Barbara’s earliest inhabitants, thrived in this coastal community for thousands of years before the arrival of the Spanish Christian missionaries in the year 1782. The padres converted the natives, while virtually enslaving them to construct a mission and presidio to fortify the region against the burgeoning powers of England and Russia. The natives were taught to wear clothing and their diet was changed from their traditional acorn mush, roots and fish. With no resistance to the diseases the Europeans brought, the Chumash population was decimated. The Mexican War of Independence in 1822 put an end to Spanish colonial rule. The Mexican flag was flown in Santa Barbara for twenty-four years until the United States captured Santa Barbara during the Mexican-American War. A period of rapid change ensued as Santa Barbara became a haven for gamblers and highwaymen during the Gold Rush. Although cattle ranching had been a prosperous business in Santa Barbara, the drought of 1863, in which most of the cattle died, caused the Santa Barbara citizens to search for other commercial interest. In 1872, the construction of Stearns Wharf made Santa Barbara a viable commercial shipping center, accessible to tourists. When the railroad came to Santa Barbara, tourists started arriving in droves to this touted health resort. In the late 1800’s, oil was discovered just east of Santa Barbara and the first offshore oil drilling ensued. The oil impact on the environment concerns Santa Barbara residents to this day.
In the early 1900s, Santa Barbara was the film capital of the world with more than twelve hundred movies made in the city in a ten-year span. Santa Barbara was a favorite location for legendary film stars such as Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford and Charlie Chaplin.
Twice, earthquakes have devastated Santa Barbara. Once, in the year 1812, a tsunami destroyed the Mission and the town, and again in 1925, when fourteen people were killed. The reconstruction, which followed, unified the movement for architectural reform to Spanish Colonial style. The luxury hotel visitor will enjoy the historical ambience the architecture reflects as well as the unique charm it adds to Santa Barbara as a luxury hotel destination.
Santa Barbara Attractions
The luxury hotel visitor will have to plan a very lengthy Santa Barbara luxury hotel stay, or plan to make a luxury hotel return, as there is more to see and do in Santa Barbara than one visit permits.
The Santa Barbara Mission is known as the “Queen of the Missions”. Reconstructed after the 1812 earthquake in a much grander style than the original, the luxury hotel visitor will recognize it as the best preserved of the California Missions. The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History is truly a hidden treasure, a must see for the luxury hotel visitor. Included in the exhibits is a life-size skeleton of a Blue Whale, as well as a rare pygmy mammoth skeleton. Santa Barbara’s Karpeles Museum holds the world’s largest collection of ancient manuscripts and documents. One of the many fascinating displays that are sure to interest the luxury hotel history buff is a Stone copy of the Declaration of Independence. The Santa Barbara Museum of Art has an incredible collection of Roman antiquities, European, and modern art. The exhibitions, which rotate frequently, make it a worthwhile visit for every luxury hotel visitor. The Santa Barbara Courthouse is another popular attraction for all luxury hotel guests. Enjoy the wonderful view of the Pacific Ocean and the city of Santa Barbara from the tower.
Santa Barbara is home to the great outdoors. A leisurely stroll along the historic Stearns Wharf not only provides you with a picturesque view, but the shops, restaurants, and aquarium are a great draw as well. Ask the luxury hotel concierge about the Santa Barbara Zoo, which is home to over six hundred fascinating animals. The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is both an educational and scientific institution that provides luxury hotel visitors with a dose of learning and fun. The native California plant life set amidst beautifully designed landscapes is sure to provide some delightful photo opportunities for the luxury hotel naturalist.
If you’re looking for less structured activities, Santa Barbara offers countless outdoor activities that the luxury hotel concierge can assist with. Santa Barbara’s exquisite coastline offers seclusion for a nudist beach, a no-leash dog park, and a pristine white sand beach with picture perfect palm trees. You might want to head to one of the numerous beaches to catch some superb surf. Your luxury hotel concierge will happily direct you to the most trusted rental companies on the beach. Golfing is available at Santa Barbara’s countless public and private courses, where the scenery is sure to captivate. Santa Barbara backcountry is home to a great collection of well-established wineries. Consider jumping on the Grapeline Wine Country Shuttle, or hire a limo, so you can enjoy tasting without the risk of driving. The luxury hotel concierge is always available to arrange your transportation needs.
Santa Barbara also hosts special events such as the annual International Film Festival, Orchid Show and the Sunday Arts and Crafts Show, where you can meet the artists and craftspeople as well as be entertained by the street performers. Make your Santa Barbara luxury hotel reservations early if there is a specific event you’re interested in.
Santa Barbara Shopping
Santa Barbara is a shopper’s haven, as you’ll find everything from trendy boutiques to the most popular chain stores. State Street is Santa Barbara’s main thoroughfare with the greatest concentration of shops. The luxury hotel shopper will find souvenirs as well as boutiques. El Paseo, an upscale mall, prides itself as being one of California’s first shopping centers. Paseo Nuevo is a modern shopping mall with over fifty shops, where the luxury hotel visitor will find loads of specialty items. Something unique that Santa Barbara offers luxury hotel shoppers is the Italian Pottery Outlet. The collection of handmade and hand-decorated Italian ceramics is fascinating to view even if you choose not to purchase anything. Santa Barbara shops contain wonderful keepsake items to mark your luxury hotel stay in this Californian paradise.
Santa Barbara Dining
Santa Barbara’s restaurant scene has all the pizzazz of California’s larger city centers. The seafood is outstanding and many of the new restaurants feature fresh organic ingredients grown in their own gardens or produced locally. The wine lists feature California’s finest to enhance your dining pleasure. Attire is generally casual to slightly dressy. If you’re unsure about what’s appropriate to wear, the luxury hotel concierge will be able to advise you on both dress and reservation information.
Any time is the perfect time to enjoy a Santa Barbara luxury hotel escape. The memory of your first Santa Barbara luxury hotel sojourn will keep you coming back year after year. Book a luxury hotel stay today and discover gorgeous Southern California in charming Santa Barbara.
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