What can I say…this category was a no-brainer. I’m fortunate enough to live in one of the top-rated spots in America…nay! In all the world in terms of natural beauty, covert elitism & weekly festivals celebrating everything from Conquistadors to Crepes, so when I asked myself what might appeal to the Unknown Reader, I had only to look out the window for my razor-like mind to sharpen.
Once whetted, I leafed through the weekly instructions for fun things to do around town: The Santa Barbara Independent, and thusly informed, went to & wrote about said doings—snapping a ridiculous number of inexpert pics along the way to spruce up my cyber ramblings. A number bordering on the thousands, and so what if I crashed a hard-drive or 2 in the process? The resultant pictorials detailing my adventures were worth the hours of downloading, the 24 month, no-interest plan, and endless back & forth with the computer Geek Squad, too.
Besides. Didn’t I make new friends over in India? Hadn’t I been upgraded from nickel to copper status at Best Buy More credit? Wasn’t my Photoshopping technique verging on near pixel fairy dust? It was a win-windows proposition all the way.
If you’re ready to hit the beach, the SB Beautiful category has that. If you’re more of a Peak Seeker, this section has the mountain trails you’re just aching to hike in its sub-cat: Weekend Warrior. Wanna go to a festival that celebrates things French, Greek, or Lemon, instead? I’ve squeezed that type of post in, too. Whether it’s outside exercise you want to pursue, or food-on-a-stick, if you need further impetus to make Santa Barbara a destination location, this is the click for you. Conversely, if you’re local, you’ll appreciate the nuance and choice I think, as well as the shameless hyperbole, and if you’re Alien or Avatar, well hell…it’s on the Internet, isn’t it?
So it is I invite you to join me virtually by clicking: SB Beautiful & sub-category: Weekender here or from the banner menu, and as we say here in Cally:
Have a nice day!
Charron's Chatter 
Happy Holidays Charron!
I love Santa Barbara I lived there, and Solvang, my family north of both Santa Maria.
Beautiful area, I was also married there at the Fess Parker, and we had our ceremony as the vineyard, such fond memories.
It IS a gorgeous area. I’ve lived up and down this coast, from SD to Mendo–and there’s nowhere nicer. I am glad you enjoyed the page–the associated category in the banner menu will take you through a virtual whirlwind of SB activities and go-to spots. Come play when you have time to get sand between your tootsies…!
I’ve been to 2 writer conferences at Fess’s…I confesses…
I love Santa Barbara, but as your neighbor to the north, I’ve got a SLO-County bias.
and I love love love SLO!! here’s to the 5 Cities!! Pismo, Shell, Avila…our favorite getaway up the coast. 🙂 Thanks for commenting, neighbor!! 🙂
OMG, I miss California… We visited it during almost a month and we spent 2 days in Santa Barbara… lucky you! 🙂
so luckeee…and know it every day. I love the outdoors!!
Looks like SB is pretty awesome.
oh Khaula! It is! It’s the prettiest little beach town–and I have lived all ooOOOooover this Golden Sate. I used to think Laguna was the prettiest, but then I moved here–some 20 odd years ago, and that says it all. I have never lived in one place so long. I used to surf 24/7 and some of the top breaks in Cally are within spitting distance. I say this every year it starts to get sunny–and I am saying it now–but I need to get back in the water! Buy a board & suit up…because surfing, connecting to that electric current and slicing down a wave–well, that’s about the best feeling ever. Funnest sport ever. Do you like the ocean? Is there a “shore” where you live (lakes are great, too!)
No-oh. Poor me. But one way or the other, I actually don’t like the beach or the shore, maybe because I have never been near one…
I like cold areas, Canada, England, Iceland….so that is it maybe.
But this winters, I realise that I couldn’t live without the sun….so that’s it…
I love the sun. I grew up in the snow though, so I can relate to what you are saying. I love to ski! (and sled, and ice-skate, too) But nowadays, I prefer the warmer slopes to the colder ones. You can sometimes ski here in your shirt sleeves! Of course, you have to drive from the beach to the central mountain area–and I’ve only done that like twice…
You are a Snow Queen, Kay! How Narnian and cool is that…
You are good inspiration for me this morning, too–your page visit reminded me to get busy updating my Limerick page to reflect the category’s new name of Non-Tucket, and I’ve gotten pretty silly with it. (say it ain’t so!) Oh ell oh ell. A fun lil exercise for me today!!
Hope you are working on some brilliance…?
Ahha..yeah…trying to get my hands on something, or maybe my brain.
🙂
The warmth of California comes over beautifully in your words my friend. I like where I live but there is so much allure linked with California, I think you chosen the place to be! Having the ocean on your doorstep must be wonderful! The festivals sound a blast. Hugs from your pal across the pond.
Lita, this town is like a movie set–I swear. I have lived up & down the Cally coast, and there is no more beautiful town than Santa Barbara–even the “industrial section” is quaint! The American Riviera. I am as proud of “her” as I am my Dad!! 🙂
But you guys are STEEPED in culture and history. We are the McNew Rich–still need to make our McBones…and something tells me the Golden Arches do not compare to Big Ben…;)
Ah yes Big Ben has a presence. I won’t deny London has a gothic Victorian spell about it, especially at night. Here’s to much movie set magic, (we can write our own stories!!) on both sides of the pond.
Your blog is the sunniest happiest place by the way Karen! A tonic for the soul. Thanks for making it so welcoming and engaging. The energy in your work is heartening.