There is much to be thankful for this time of year when we gather with friends and family for the holidays. We want to take the opportunity to list some of the things we are most grateful for in Santa Barbara, an extraordinary and unique place we are grateful to call home, which we hope you will consider your home away from…home.
Reason to be thankful #1: The Goldilocks weather.
I mean, seriously people, is there anything better than this? The Santa Ynez Mountains, our warm Southern California sun, and coastal breezes ensure a mild year-round routine of warmer winters and cooler summers that have earned us the nickname “The American Riviera.” No matter where you’re from, the weather is better in your vacation rental.
We know that for a growing number of travelers, going home on vacation means celebrating with loved ones in a sunny and exotic home away from home. While snowbirds have always enjoyed traveling south during the winter, more travelers than ever are choosing a vacation rental to get away and enjoy a sun-filled vacation at the beach during the holiday season.
Reason to be thankful #2: Exceptional value.
There are plenty of opportunities to stretch your vacation dollars in Santa Barbara. Vacation rentals offer great value and flexibility to best suit different lifestyles, needs, and travel budgets. For less than the cost of a hotel room, vacationers can rent an entire home while enjoying countless benefits, such as avoiding the unnecessary expense of a hotel stay with laundry, Internet fees, gratuities, and room service.
Vacation rentals offer a great way to enjoy the winter sun on a budget. At the five-bedroom Vista Riviera, guests can take in ocean and city views and soak in the private pool or relax in the sauna. They can also take advantage of all the comforts of a luxury hotel, including pre-arrival grocery stocking, in-room spa treatments, and other concierge services.
Reason to be thankful #3: Welcome smiles.
Santa Barbara is, at heart, a small city with fewer than 100,000 residents within the city limits. People meet and bump into acquaintances and neighbors all the time with warm smiles and happy greetings.
Tourists are likely to be greeted like old friends. If you’re staying in a vacation rental, you’ll probably be in town long enough to adopt healthy habits like walking to the same cafe every morning, shopping at a favorite farmers’ market stall, etc. It’s all part of the warm and friendly Santa Barbara culture.
Reason to be thankful #4: Mother Nature.
There are very few destinations that offer so much in terms of stunning nature. You can relax on the deck of your beach rental watching porpoises play or the winter migration of gray whales. You can get some exercise by walking the Campbell Trail and then enjoy a swim in Gaviota Hot Springs. You can even dress in camouflage and bring your binoculars to the Andree Clark Bird Refuge.
There are meadows, mountains, streams, beaches, parks, hiking trails, a 65-acre botanical garden designed by noted landscape architect Beatrix Ferrand. In short, whatever your inner Smokey Bear desires, he’ll find it in Santa Barbara.
Reason to be thankful #5: The architecture.
A 1925 earthquake virtually leveled downtown Santa Barbara, and we’ve been grateful ever since. The fathers and mothers of the city took the opportunity to rebuild to stricter structural standards and relative Spanish/Moorish uniformity, and the result is the stunning red-roofed district of Santa Barbara. As you walk through the city center, you gain a greater appreciation for the idea of a planned city. Most burgs are a hodgepodge of wildly divergent architectural qualities and styles, but the downtown Santa Barbara area almost feels like a movie set, it’s so charming and idealistic.
Many of the residences, including many of the vacation rentals, in the area also adhere to the California bungalow style (with a few Victorians included) and the result is a charming walk through California history.
Reason to be thankful #6: Festivals.
If you, like Frank Costanza on Seinfeld, are looking for a “festivus for the rest of us,” you should book your Santa Barbara vacation rental right away. Our annual festival calendar features something new almost every month: Santa Barbara International Film Festival, Santa Barbara International Orchid Show, Earth Day celebration, Santa Barbara Fair and Exposition, Cinco de Mayo festival, Summer Solstice Parade, Wine Festivals, Fourth of July, French Festival, Greek Festival, Old Spanish Days Festival, Santa Barbara Sandcastle Festival, California Lemon Festival, Santa Barbara Harbor and Seafood Festival , Conference and New Noise Music Festival.
Reason to be thankful #7: Unexpected outdoor treats.
No matter how long you spend in your vacation rental home, there are still plenty of delights to discover. Many people who pass the corner of State and Victoria every day never notice the beautiful statue of Sacajawea set back from the street. Sacajawea was a Shoshone woman who led Lewis & Clark’s exploration of the western American continent in the early 19th century. She was very brave and diplomatic and is considered by many historians to be the main reason for the success of the mission.
Visitors to Santa Barbara in early spring are often pleasantly surprised by the beautiful profusion of flowering trees in the area. Both the leaves and flowers create a dazzling, delicious-smelling canopy wherever you look.
There are many beautiful fountains in the city. There are notable examples at the Dolphin Fountain at Stearns Wharf, the Mission Fountain, and the fountain at La Arcada Mall. How many more can you find?
You can tell a city that really loves its artists because they proudly display a lot of art in public places. There are beautiful bronze sculptures hidden in some unexpected corners like La Arcada shopping center and the city center. As you leave your Santa Barbara vacation rental, keep your eyes peeled. You never know what treasures you may find.
And last but not least, I am personally grateful for all the wonderful vacation rental guests I meet year after year. Once you experience all that our beautiful city has to offer, you’ll always be grateful to have a home away from home.