Short Stays

This summer I have a few suggestions for short visits or overnight stays. Although only half an hour’s drive away, you may decide to spend an evening in Santa Barbara. Whether to visit friends, attend a party or just cool off after a round of golf, there is a great new hotel option in Santa Barbara. The recent addition of the Hotel Andalucia in downtown Santa Barbara offers Valley residents a unique experience. The Andalucia is located just crawling distance from the Paseo Nuevo shopping center and all the other activities in the downtown area. After a hearty lunch or early dinner one could walk by  the shops on State Street all the way to the ocean and Stearns Wharf. The rooms are luxurious and appointed with all the amenities found in the best hotels. For more info visit www.andaluciasb.com.

As for golf, there are several options. Sandpiper in Goleta has been upgraded over the past couple of years and is now in fine condition. Glen Annie always has good greens and competitive green fees. Santa Barbara Golf Club is not as crowded as it use to be and offers great views as well. On the private side, La Cumbre Country Club is just minutes from downtown while Valley Club and Birnam Wood are in Montecito. All three private clubs would be no more than 10-15 minutes from the Hotel Andalucia.

There are some great golf holes in Santa Barbara and here are my favorites. For the par threes, I like No. 13 at La Cumbre and No. 14 at Valley Club. The 13th at La Cumbre can play anywhere from 160-230 yards and actually has two greens. “The Island Green” is the more picturesque of the two, with the large lake and mountains in the background. No. 14 at Valley Club is a classic short hole of 170 yards. The fairy tale clubhouse and mountains frame the shot. My favorite par fours are Nos. 14 at Sandpiper and 16 at Birnam Wood. The 14 th at Sandpiper can play over 440 yards and follows the bluff overlooking the Pacific. The 16 th at Birnam Wood plays 450 yards and a dogleg right. OB left and a very small green make this a tough par. For the par five’s I like number 13 at Sandpiper and number 12 at La Cumbre. The 13th at Sandpiper is often used in golf commercials due to its bluff side green. At slightly over 500 yards and downhill off the tee, it can be reached in two by big hitters. The second will have to be very accurate to carry the gorge to the uphill green. No. 12 at La Cumbre plays 540 yards over the lake off the tee and through the trees on the second.

The Fairmont in Santa Monica

If you are on your way to LAX this summer, you may be interested in staying the night before, especially if you have an early flight. The Fairmont Miramar is located on Ocean Boulevard in Santa Monica overlooking the Pacific. I prefer to go the coast route when I head to LAX. It always takes the same amount of time and the views are great. The best place to pick it up is at Las Posas Road in Camarillo and head West to Pacific Coast Highway. From there it will be about an hour and a quarter to the Fairmont Miramar. This grand hotel has been remodeled recently and is very elegant. There is a short cut from the Hotel to LAX, which the front desk will be happy to share with you. It should take no more than half an hour and no messy freeways to deal with. More info can be found at www.fairmont.com/santamonica/

Riviera Country Club

The Grand Old Lady of championship golf in the Los Angeles area is Riviera Country Club which hosts the PGA Tour’s LA Open each February. Riviera has a hotel in its large clubhouse with about 30 rooms. These rooms are available to non-members on a space available basis. The rooms are very spacious and many offer views of the clubhouse. Hotel guests may dine at any of the club’s restaurants but will need a sponsor to play golf. The clubhouse has many historical pictures remembering the greats of golf who have been there. Riviera has hosted the US Open and more recently the PGA Championship. For more info visit www.rccla.com.