California Week: Santa Barbara Area

After our quick trip in LA, we headed up the coast to visit our dear friends who live in Carpinteria, just south of Santa Barbara. On our way, we took a quick detour over to Ojai. I'd never been, and wanted specifically to see The Farmer and the Cook, which I'd heard about for years. It's very much a healthy, organic (my husband says "hippie") spot, that has a great salad bar, and vegan options. We all love the salad dressing that they make—you can buy bottles of them.

Our friends brought us to this new coffee shop, the Handlebar Coffee Roaster. They make a nice iced coffee, and just across the street from it (and next door) is the El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Park. Although I didn't take pictures this time, our first stop whenever we go to Santa Barbara, is Rose Cafe, and we always get their Huevos Rancheros.

Santa Barbara Finds #2

Farmers markets are a little bit like puppies to me. One is cuter than the next. But this one in Santa Barbara, on Saturdays in the downtown area, it is truly fantastic.

Santa Barbara Finds #1

We were in the Santa Barbara area over spring break. One morning we went to an event at the Four Seasons Biltmore there. So beautiful. If you're in the area, it's worth walking through the lobby, and maybe having a drink at the bar. 

For the other end of the spectrum, but equally a favorite, try lunch at the Rose Cafe. We used to only think of La Superica for Mexican in Santa Barbara, until our friends turned us on to this. It has probably the best huevos rancheros I've ever had.

Bring Back From Carpinteria: Robitaille's

Carpinteria is a sweet little surfer town, home to what they call the World's Safest Beach , and also, to a great old-school candy shop, called Robitaille's . They make all their candy by hand, and they are known for their white chocolate mint candy, which was chosen to the official candy of the 50th Presidential Inauguration, so now they are called Inaugural Mints.  They are delicious, and the packaging is great. A small box is $3.95, and a large box is $6.95, and they make a great gift.

Lemonade Stand, Santa Barbara Style

We've just been visiting our great friends who live in Carpinteria, which is a sleepy surfer town above Ventura, and below Santa Barbara. We took a walk on the beach, and found this awesome 'shell stand'.

Channel Islands--Who Knew?

I was just talking to my friend Steve Orr, who has a fantastic blog, and mentioned to him that we were supposed to be in Santa Barbara last week, but had to reschedule due to some schedule conflicts with the friends we were visiting. He said that when we go back, we absolutely have to go to the Channel Islands.  Read his blog post, and check out his beautiful pictures.