A Santa Barbara day

 

This is a great time of year to partake of all that Santa Barbara has to offer. Hotels, restaurants and golf courses are in their off-season and relatively uncrowded. Great views of the blue Pacific and the Channel Islands can be had from Sandpiper Golf Course all the way to Stearns Wharf at the foot of State Street. The great weather we have had is ideal for walking, bicycling, and, of course, hitting the links. There also are a couple of great new restaurant choices. 

As we head down the Gaviota Coast we get our first glimpse of the sparkling blue water. My travels have taken me around the world and for me there is only one ocean. The cool crisp air and deep blue water make the Pacific Coast far superior to the Atlantic or Gulf Coasts for viewing. Tall eucalyptus trees and avocado ranches dot the landscape as the green bluff tops work their way to the nearby mountains.

 

Sandpiper Golf Course is the first stop along the way. The course has been upgraded in recent years and is now in excellent condition. There has been much talk about bringing in the great golf architect Tom Fazio to redo the blufftop layout. So far nothing has been done to the old routing, which is just fine with me. The course has a lot of character and great views, especially from the clubhouse area.

There is also an historical footnote worth remembering: the 11th hole runs downhill and finishes right on the ocean. Just to the right of this hole is an oil processing plant, which has been around for a long time. This plant, then owned by the Bankline Oil Co., was shelled by a Japanese submarine, the I-17, at sundown on Feb. 23, 1942, during World War II, making it one of only two places on the U.S. mainland to have been directly attacked by the Japanese. The other was Fort Stevens, Ore.

Sandpiper usually has special county resident rates available Monday through Thursday, and most mornings the course is fairly quiet. Glen Annie Golf Club also offers great views and attractive weekday rates.

 

Santa Barbara Golf Club is an old classic layout and less crowded these days. La Cumbre Country Club, Montecito Country Club, Birnam Wood and Valley Club round out the golf experience on the private club side.

No trip to Santa Barbara is complete without a visit to Stearns Wharf. The wharf has been completely redone in recent years and now houses the Ty Warner Sea Center.

The Harbor View Inn is a legendary landmark in this area and includes the elegant Eladio’s Restaurant. Many of the rooms at the Harbor View Inn look out to West  Beach and the harbor area. The staff is extremely friendly and during the winter months rooms are available at substantial savings from the busy summer season.

The Marina area is just a short walk from the hotel and makes for a pleasant stroll. To the left you can stretch your legs down to East Beach and the skateboard park. It is truly amazing what these kids can do and worth a few minutes watching.

 

Downtown State Street and the Paseo Nuevo shopping mall are also within walking distance of the Harbor View Inn. The Santa Barbara Zoo is just a short drive and a lot of fun, especially for the little ones. For more information visit www.harborviewinnsb.com or call 800-755-0222 or 805-963-0780.

On the way home you may want to check in to two great new restaurants. The La Cumbre Shopping Plaza has undergone an extensive remodel and upgrade. Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse and the Marmalade Café have opened exciting new venues.

Ruth’s Chris is a national chain that specializes in serving the best steak you can eat.  The food was mouthwatering and they have an extensive wine list. I chose the rib eye, and the serving was large. Ruth’s Chris is an elegant dining experience with a luxurious bar area and a private wine room for even more intimate dining. The service was excellent. For more info visit www.ruthschris.com or call (805) 563-5674.

 

The Marmalade Café also is destined to be very popular. The Marmalade Café originated in Santa Monica and has several locations, including Sherman Oaks, Calabassas and Malibu. A bit more casual than Ruth’s Chris, it is still an elegant choice.

This time I went with the ahi tuna steak, which was expertly prepared. They also have many salad and pasta dishes from which to choose. In addition, Marmalade Café has a large circular bar area, undoubtedly a popular rest spot for busy shoppers. The Marmalade Café is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. For more info visit www.marmaladecafe.com or call (805) 682-5246.