Simply click and go by topic or tap the latest headlines to further expand your local knowledge. Or, scroll to the bottom to find previous and related “Islands and Currents”editions.
“From the Desert to the Mountains to the Sea and all the Pristine Rivers, Lakes and Islands in Between.”
Find more meaning and happiness in your life. Try before you buy.
The great thing about living where others spend their vacation is the year round quality-of-life. What’s on your Bucket List? Try these …
Lakes and Mountains. No, it wasn’t an April Fools joke by some family member. Unless you count everyone’s mother, Mother Nature. It’s Spring.But don’t try to cheer up all those folks delayed at Lake Tahoe by an avalanche for most of the day on Highway 50.
Deserts and Flowers. Maybe those families and locals and tourists stuck in Heavenly traffic should have headed to the desert instead. Wait, flowers in the desert? Yup, this years’ super bloom.
Secluded Islands. No not Oahu, Maui, Kauai or the Big Island (well those are fine too), but the quiet, friendly island of Molokai.The one that gets no respect – or tourist attention. The one that gives you room to roam. Or consider visiting Beguia, the tiny Grenadine Island, off the beaten path.
Seas and Whales. It’s that time of year again when the humpback whales command everyone’s attention off the coast of Maui.Except for that boat that struck a whale calf near the southern tip of the Island. By everyone it’s nearly 450 volunteers who help track and record 219 humpback whales one last time in 2019.
Islands and Cultures. Timing is everything. Once a year you have a chance to experience authentic Hawaii culture on Maui.
Seas and Currents. At the top of the world scientists calculate a better forecast of when ice will no longer cover all of the Arctic region. While at the same time temperature readings reveal 2018 established ocean heat set a record.
Steps:
21) Spend the time to find the best place to live and invest. It will be worth your while. The great thing about living where others spend their vacation is the year round quality-of-life.
24) Determine which maker or breaker community issues you will find across all resort communities vs. those unique only to the quality-of-life towns at the top of your best places list.
32) Plan extended seasonal vacations during summer and winter months. Group destination locations together in regional trips to explore what several bucket list towns have to offer in the general vicinity – with only a week or two vacation time to spend, we recommend organizing your itinerary by travel regions.
33) When you move, will your established neighbors share your same values? Does your new home have potential over the long term to develop into a high appreciation real estate investment while being affordable for mid-life or empty nesters? Do the weather patterns in winter or summer make you want to live there year round, or only on a seasonal basis. Doesyour new community offer a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities?
34) On your visits look for any newer developments that may trigger changes in neighborhood patterns. New construction in or around the neighborhood? Major regional economic adjustments? Transition from households with children to ones that are empty nests? Rezoning, and dramatically rising/falling land values?
We projected the map of Italy on our big screen and thanks to Google maps focused our attention at the same time to potential towns.
Venice in St. Mark’s Basin showing the Grand Canal, San Zaccaria and our destination “Photo by Stephen Howard”
Venice and Rome – everyone we talked to said you have to see if you never go back.
Keeping up can be just so confusing.
Every day I’m bombarded with “24 of these travel tips” and “12 of these epic awesome travel apps you absolutely need now!”
Do I really?
And “29 hacks the pros miss.”
Oh, and don’t forget those “11 critical last-minute things you’d better take care of the day before you leave.”
Or else … What?
The list goes on and on.
There’s stuff you don’t know about exchanging money.
About your passports.
And cruising through airport customs.
And you’d better not mess up with Global Entry and TSA Precheck.
Arrrrgh.
Take a deep breath.
Let it out slowly.
Focus on something pleasant.
Something other than the constant noise and dust circulating in the air.
Like, our visit to Italy for the first time this past year with our friends.
Italy destinations – Venice, Florence, Cinque Terre, Siena, Tuscany and Rome. Photo by Stephen Howard
It was a blast.
All the anticipation and preparation.
We felt less stressed once we passed the panic phase of not knowing exactly what to do or where to turn for the best advice.
Enduring our months-long kitchen remodel fed our panic as months of planning turned into weeks.
Which turned into days.
“How will they lower the microwave without scratching the cabinets surrounding it or dropping it on the stove in time for us to leave?”
But it was almost as much fun as traveling through Italy with our traveling companions as getting together nine months ahead of our trip, drinking some dark red Tuscany “Brunello di Montalcino” paired with a new pasta recipe, and discussing where in Italy we should go.
I said almost.
One tip that helped us enormously is for all of you other Apple TV owners.
Venice to Florence
We projected the map of Italy on our big screen and thanks to Google maps focused our attention at the same time on potential towns.
We’d pour a little more wine.
We’d discuss what each of us was eager to see and do.
Then, we could walk up to the big screen and find each town and region on the Italian map.
And right there in front of us we could assess how long and by which transportation options we should consider.
That turned out to be a real eye opener.
Traveling time to and from all the potential destinations adds up quickly.
The group map projection technique showed us quickly and dramatically how adding too much time in transit subtracts from time allotted for another must-visit destination.
Another power hack (tip) cut through the barrage of travel articles pinging me constantly on my Flipboard and Apple News feeds.
Plan your activities over a time line like you would at work for a project.
1-year ahead,
6-months,
3-months,
1-month,
1-week,
2-days,
1-day and
day of travel.
Venice in St. Mark’s Basin showing the Grand Canal, San Zaccaria and our destination “Photo by Stephen Howard”
Read some articles, do more research, and maybe more importantly talk to everyone else who had been there.
We were, it turns out, the last ones on earth who hadn’t already checked off Italy from their bucket list.
We delegated an interview with owners of an Italian restaurant along the Southern California coast in Dana Point to our traveling companions.
They thought for sure the owners maintained a family owned B&B in the heart of Tuscany which fizzled, but only after they enjoyed their dinner and a few glasses of vino.
One Year Ahead:
Research Websites, Guidebooks and Travel Agents
Budget Room, Food, Sightseeing and Entertainment Per Day
Refer to Per Diem Allocations for Estimates
Open a Savings Account
Find Calendars of Events for Timing Better Deals
Two pieces of advice proved pretty valuable over the first few months of research.
To sort through the hundreds of possibilities, consider this trip to be your once in a lifetime adventure.
Make certain that, if you never returned, you’d visit and do the most important activities to you.
Divide the amount of vacation time you can afford to take by three.
The result dictates how many areas you can visit without wearing yourself out.
Returning tourists in a gondola as more line up for their turn across from the Hotel Cavalletto. Photo by Stephen Howard
The last thing you want to do is feel so rushed that you can’t enjoy your holiday.
Venice and Rome – everyone we talked to said you have to see if you never go back.
Tuscany each of us agreed appealed to all of us as a change of pace, especially if a cooking class can be squeezed in.
The five towns on the western coast in Cinque Terre was an easy sell.
And time in Florence to fully appreciate the Renaissance made the cut.
Even by eliminating Milan and Lake Como we exceeded our allotment of enjoyable time per region.
Oh, I take back any snarky comment I made earlier – “11 critical last-minute things you’d better take care of the day before you leave.”
As we found out, they can be a show stopper and can ruin your vacation at the last-minute.
It’s a popular destination for politicians, celebrities, and royalty, and was recently named “World’s #1 Resort” by Forbes Traveller.
Scorpio (Oct. 24 – Nov. 21)“You’ll do what millions of others do and still feel like you’re contributing something different.It’s because you really are.”
Final installment of Steve and Emma’s Empty-Nest Adventures in Santa Barbara..
On Sunday, the final day of our long Veterans Day Weekend we made arrangements to meet our fellow Scorpios for a quick sight-seeing tour of the Greater Santa Barbara highlights –
The Ritz-Carlton Bacara,
The El Enchanto Hotel, the
San Ysidro Ranch and finally
Montecito for dinner at the Honor Bar .
Scorpio (Oct. 24 – Nov. 21)“You want your work to be artful and useful, or you’d rather not turn it in at all.The thing is, you’re not the best judge of this today.”
Today was Sunday.
Dave dropped by the Hotel Santa Barbara for a leisurely continental breakfast in the lobby before heading down the coast near Ventura to catch his fill of waves.
After leaving our luggage with the Valet and making arrangements for picking up our car after our Montecito dinner we were picked up by our friends and headed north towards San Luis Obispo in search of the Ritz-Carlton Bacara.
Here’s how The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara’s website describes their 80 acre property:
“Low-rise villas with wrought-iron balconies.
Beaches that glow under the sun.
The water at your doorstep.
Vibrant blues and intricate patterns.
Food that is meant to be savored with the sunset.”
The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara embodies the charm, beauty and energy of the Mediterranean
in the heart of Santa Barbara, offering ocean-view accommodations,
an indulgent spa and dining that celebrates local ingredients.”
Okay.
We agree on almost every point except for that part about being in the heart of Santa Barbara, right?
I’d argue that the Hotel Santa Barbara on State Street is in the heart of Santa Barbara, but I’m not a copy writer.
It’s Zip Code belongs to Goleta and expands to Gaviota and another section north of Solvang and Los Olivos.
Zip Code: 93117
Profile At-A-Glance (Fall 2017)
Life Stage: Singles, Couples, Midlife, Baby Boomers, Seniors
24Y2C2, Up-and-Comers, 25-54 Single, Mainstream Singles, City Centers (Napa, CA)
35Y2C2, Boomtown Singles, 25-54, Mainstream Singles, City Centers, (San Marcos, TX)
Even as the neighborhoods become more remote as you fan out from Santa Barbara the degree of affluence and status falls within the upper 15% to 50% of all lifestyles.
Residents in the Wealthy Influential neighborhoods tend to be midlife successful couples also living in Mission Viejo, California and Santa Fe, New Mexico.
The remaining lifestyles fall closer to the midpoint of affluence, are classified by Claritas as “Mainstream Singles” falling in the broad 25-54 year old age range – also calling Tempe, Arizona or Napa, California or San Marcos, Texas home.
Next up?
We back tracked and drove about 25 minutes on winding foothill roads until we arrived at the Belmond El Enchanto for drinks and an appetizer as we overlooked the Santa Barbara harbor
According to their website the resort was popular with the Plein Air School of artists.
“Belmond El Encanto’s former 1920s glory has been lovingly restored to become one of the most celebrated resorts on the West Coast.
The restoration process helped to highlight the original Spanish-colonial and Californian craftsman styles, with modern additions including a zero-edge outdoor pool and sumptuous boutique spa. Here, every sense is heightened.”
The Belmond El Encanto joins Stearns Wharf, The Santa Barbara Zoo, The Santa Barbara Bowl and tony streets with exclusive homes tucked away from sight.
Zip Code: 93103
Profile At-A-Glance (Fall 2017)
Life Stage: Singles, Couples, Midlife, Baby Boomers
24Y2C2, Up-and-Comers, 25-54 Single, Mainstream Singles, City Centers (Napa, CA)
27M2C2, Middleburg Managers, 55+ Couples,Conservative Classics, City Centers (South Lake Tahoe, CA)
You’ll find very few 25-54 Mainstream Singles in these neighborhoods. Instead you’ll see wealthy couples at midlife, in their empty nest years or nearing retirement, if they haven’t already.
The most affluent, upper crust lifestyle calls this part of Santa Barbara home, like they do farther up the coast in Half Moon Bay, California.
Watching the sun set over the channel almost lulled us into bliss. Until we collectively realized we had one more stop to make before dinner.
Higher up on more twisty canyon roads took us to San Ysidro Ranch in the Santa Ynez Mountains overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
We peeked into an original 1825 Old Adobe Cottage as sunset light was beginning to fade.
Santa Barbara Independent writer, Tyler Hayden, put it this way.
“The ranch was originally part of a 1769 land grant by Charles III of Spain, served as a sanctuary for Franciscan monks before becoming a citrus operation and then eventually a hotel.”
“Spanning 500 manicured acres with broad views of the Pacific Ocean, the San Ysidro Ranch ― currently owned by Beanie Baby mogul Ty Warner ― consists of 41 cottages and suites, multiple wedding venues, and award-winning restaurants.
“It’s a popular destination for politicians, celebrities, and royalty, and was recently named “World’s #1 Resort” byForbes Traveller.”
As the sunset, we were glad we at least got to see it while we strolled around the grounds and imagined staying here on some future trip.
The ranch shares the same zip code with Montecito and Summerland and includes the most affluent lifestyles – Wealthy Influentials and Wireless Resorters.
Zip Code: 93108
Profile At-A-Glance (Fall 2017)
Life Stage: Singles, Couples, Midlife, Baby Boomers, Seniors
Even more exclusive estates behind walls and private, gated driveways hide affluent celebrities and the rich and famous.
Could that be Oprah’s or Ellen’s compound over there?
We’ve always enjoyed spending weekends in Santa Barbara, especially at the Montecito Inn once owned by Charlie Chaplin.
On those getaways we’ve strolled along Coast Village Road to the Honor Market next to the restaurant for coffee and we ordered artisanal pizza to eat back in our room at the inn.
This was the first time we ate dinner in one of the booths surrounding the wooden bar in the center.
It’s not the biggest restaurant, which is maybe why we’ve ate and drank cocktails outdoors at their patio tables before.
Or maybe why our Scorpio friends warned us and then gave us a demonstration.
They told us there’s a rule that if you’ve finished serving a table on your way back to the kitchen, pick something up from a table.
“What?”
“Watch.”
And with that a server came by and started clearing our table of half eaten salad plates and rolls while we were still enjoying our conversation.
Scorpio stingers were at the ready when a half empty (or half full) beer glass became a table-passing- server target.
“Hold on there. I’m not finished. We’re not finished and we’re in no hurry.”
Especially, when it came to end-of-a-long weekend traffic flowing through Los Angeles and into South Orange County.
We joined other vacationers on Highway 101 heading south after 7pm.
As we neared Ventura for some reason my mind wondered to La Conchita.
We passed it on the way up.
I remembered it was prone to large landslides that have wiped out homes and even killed local residents.
The worse of these was the tragic slide on January 10th, 2005 when a huge rain-caused side killed 10 residents.
Okay.
Enough about natural disasters.
I didn’t want to spoil the good vibrations.
Closer to Ventura and the beach and waves breaking on the shore I wondered how long Dave would want to work remotely?
If he’d want to pick one of the zip codes that included neighbors closer to his age and interests?
But, that was a conversation we’d take up again at Thanksgiving, only a couple of weeks away.
Steps:
21) Spend the time to find the best place to live and invest. It will be worth your while. The great thing about living where others spend their vacation is the year round quality-of-life.
32) Plan extended seasonal vacations during summer and winter months. Group destination locations together in regional trips to explore what several bucket list towns have to offer in the general vicinity – with only a week or two vacation time to spend, we recommend organizing your itinerary by travel regions.
33) When you move, will your established neighbors share your same values? Does your new home have potential over the long-term to develop into a high appreciation real estate investment while being affordable for mid-life or empty nesters? Do the weather patterns in winter or summer make you want to live there year round, or only on a seasonal basis. Doesyour new community offer a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities?
He confirmed what we heard before that Santa Barbara, while offering everything else you could possibly want in a coastal resort town, didn’t generate the kind of surf diehards craved.
Wave Break at Rincon
For that you had to travel north up the coast, or south past Carpinteria to Rincon or Ventura.
Driving 25 minutes or so, really isn’t too much to ask, right.
But after a morning of surfing and the drive back, well, he was tired.
So Emma and I hung out in the late afternoon at the Hotel Santa Barbara on State Street while he returned to his bedroom and tried to take a nap.
Turns out, he’s renting a place minutes from the hotel while working remotely from his Irvine employer.
And, turns out that he couldn’t drift off to slumberland.
So he decides to walk over to join us since everything we had considered for the night on the town was just a few short blocks away.
We walk together near the original Presidio, the second red rectangular box of the three on the map.
We’re always craving authentic Mexican food and found it, the top right hand red rectangle.
61M4U3 65+Sustaining Seniors City Roots (Seal Beach, CA)
You might say Huntington Beach is a lifestyle mix of Seal Beach and Naples, just minutes away without traffic to the north on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), with a dollop of Arizona (Chandler) and Colorado (Lakewood).
Where Wealthy Influentials and Permanent Temporaries call home.
It attracts side-preneurs and artists and surfers and, well Portfolio Locals and Digitally Mobiles.
So if Kym, from the night before at Jamie Slone Wines Tasting Room, who told us she was a newly transplanted stay at home mom from Arizona until her nest emptied, ever grew tired of Santa Barbara, then she could elevate Huntington Beach to the top of her bucket list.
So then, what about Santa Barbara At-a-Glance.
Where it is.
The mix of lifestyle profiles you’d find mingling along the State Street neighborhood defined by its zip code.
And, where else can you find that lifestyle?
Location At-A-Glance
Region: Western United States
State: California
Travel Region: Central CoastRegion
County: Santa Barbara County
Patchwork Nation: Monied ‘Burbs
Town: Santa Barbara
Population Density: Second Tier Cities
Real Estate Phase: Late-Maturity
Zip Codes: 93101
Profile At-A-Glance (Fall 2017)
Life Stage: Singles, Couples, Midlife, Baby Boomers, Seniors
60M4C3, Park Bench Seniors, 65+ Singles, Park Bench Seniors, Micro-City Blues (Palm Desert, CA)
Awesome View of Emerald Bay
So the State Street lifestyle community recipe includes the quality-of-life attraction of Palm Desert, Napa and Lake Tahoe (California desert, vineyards and an awesome mountain lake) with an out-of-state blend of San Marcos, Texas (historic river town) and artistic Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Digitally Mobiles, like in Huntington Beach?
Check.
But, only one Wealthy Influential lifestyle vs. four in Huntington Beach.
And with the other four falling within the High Country Eagle communities.
But, still two mainstream single lifestyles, 25-54 that loosely fit.
Oh, ok.
Cobbling this theory together has become a little too complicated, right?
It’s THE spot for enjoying breakfast after playing volleyball, cycling, skating and every kind of outdoor activity you can do at the beach.
“Enjoying another day in Paradise without having to die,” Salty replies.
Scorpio (Oct. 24 – Nov. 21)“Pay attention to the things you do when you’re supposed to be doing something else.Those activities are more than mere distractions.They are pulling you for a reason.”
Why bulk up when we’ll be rendezvousing with the lucky ones
First Scorpio distraction.
I notice the Hotel Santa Barbara’s Zip Code is 93101.
Hmmm.
Back to what we’re supposed to be doing on this staycation.
Drive from the hotel down Lower State Street to the harbor and turn left on E. Cabrillo Blvd which hugs the beach and the sunbathers and picnickers on the greenbelt while looking for a parking spot near the East Beach Grille.
Wait, second distraction.
Somehow we pass through an invisible boundary without realizing it.
We travel through a hidden portal into a different Zip Code (93103) as we search for a parking space on Cabrillo Boulevard.
But, we feel fortunate.
Not only because we’re meeting our retired-teachers-empty-nest friends, but for eating breakfast where the Santa Barbara locals hang out.
It’s THE spot for enjoying breakfast after playing volleyball, cycling, skating and every kind of outdoor activity you can do at the beach.
Or, was.
We were told the grille would be closing for renovation.
But, maybe what our friends actually told us, looking back now on our conversation, was that all the long time weekend hanger-outers like them were pissed that it could actually close.
Months later they began their grieving process when the beach tradition closed their doors for good.
When they were forced to say goodbye to the grille, “Just steps from the famous Santa Barbara East Beach enjoy breathtaking views with your breakfast or lunch sandwich.”
“Pancakes.”
“Have the pancakes.”
So, we followed them into the grille, gave our orders and returned to sip coffee.
And watch the parade of cyclists, skaters, strollers and power walkers pass by.
Oh, and observe how the locals and tourists flit the sea gulls, pigeons and other winged creatures away from their breakfast dishes.
What, maybe three or four minutes elapsed before the moms took out their smartphones and showed off photos.
“Wait, so you’re saying neither boys (Millennials) have kids or are married?”
Nope.
So we didn’t have adorable newborn iPhotos to flaunt.
David left Huntington Beach working remotely from his Irvine company a few blocks from our hotel.
Jeff switched jobs but still lives in Newport Beach a block from the ocean.
Pretty soon an alarm triggered.
It was time.
They have a lunch engagement, we don’t.
Like all hosts showing off their resort home towns, there’s a routine you follow.
Walk, walk, walk.
Back along Cabrillo Boulevard from East Beach past Stearns Wharf to West Beach.
The women converse.
We guys do too.
Mostly about travel tips and local insider tips.
Our friend says “Hi, how’s it going?” to a salty local parked on Cabrillo sitting on his tailgate as he wiggles out of the remaining part of his wetsuit.
There’s a dog in his, well, dog cage.
“Enjoying another day in Paradise without having to die,” Salty replies.
I figured they knew each other.
Nope, our friend whispers he thinks he’s homeless as we walk on our way west.
A third distraction.
What the heck is that over there on the greenbelt near enough to the sidewalk to catch my eye like a dog who spies a squirrel.
Kinda a rock of ages.
Something with a tacky plaque.
Dedicated to Juan Rodriquez Cabrillo who paved the boulevard we drove on roughly 475 years ago.
Or paved the way for a few hundred years of exploration along the California coast.
One of the two.
According to Wikipedia Juan Rodriquez Cabrillo sailed through,
“… what is now called the Santa Barbara Channel in 1542, anchoring briefly in the area. In 1602, Spanish maritime explorer Sebastián Vizcaíno gave the name “Santa Barbara” to the channel and also to one of the Channel Islands.”
So where’s Vizcaíno’s plaque?
Closer to West Beach?
Nope.
Sail By?
Channel Islands National Park; map courtesy of Lencer
“In 1542 Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo sailed up the Santa Barbara Channel, and made first contact with the Chumash inhabitants of the area in October.
Cabrillo was the first European to navigate the coast of present-day California.
He died the following year and was buried on San Miguel Island.”
Following the squirrel-like historical distraction a bit longer, The City of Santa Barbara lists seven historical timelines beginning with Cabrillo through the present.
Historic El Paseo in the Presidio Neighborhood is in a one block area bordered by State Street and Anacapa Street and by Canon Perdido Street and De La Guerra Street.
I guess Siri knew best, after all. No wait Emma did. But that’s another story.
There we found the three entertainment activities all in walking distance from each other and a short distance from the Hotel Santa Barbara on State Street.
Wine tasting at Jamie Slone Wines Tasting Room.
Dinner around the corner at Wine Cask Restaurant
And, a concert at the historic Lobero Theatre.
“The Presidio Neighborhood is a vibrant few blocks in the heart of Santa Barbara, centered around the historical site of the last of the Spanish fortresses, or presidios, to be built in California.”
And the neighborhood had been the location of Santa Barbara’s Japantown and Chinatown as well.
Today it is marketed as home to “discoveries of hidden walkways, courtyards, and amazing architectural details set against the backdrop of the American Riviera and the Santa Ynez mountains.”
Our Scorpio friends purchased tickets for a concert, starring Michael McDonald a longtime Santa Barbara resident, and as we later found out, a benefit for TRAP – The Rhythmic Arts Project an educational program.
When we rendezvoused with our friends we soon found out the concert venue was just a parking lot away from the restaurant at the corner of Anacapa and Canon Perdido streets.
“Located at the main entrance to the Historic El Paseo in the vibrant Presidio Neighborhood near State Street in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara!”
Jamie Slone Wines Tasting Room
We met Kym who told us she had been a stay at home mom in Arizona while Jamie, her husband, had been a race car driver.
When their twin daughters grew up and Jamie and Kym became empty nesters they felt it was time to explore something else.
Among other things, their website told us “Jamie and Kym Slone are an adventurous couple and after a 30 year journey of touring wine regions all over Europe and the United States their dream of producing wine was born.”
Along the way their interest in architecture and wine led them to visit and experience Santa Barbara, California, “The American Riviera.”
Like for countless others the Urban Wine Trail brought them to the Historic El Paseo in the “Presidio Neighborhood to enjoy some world class Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and some fabulous Rhone blends.”
They loved what they found, Spanish Colonial architecture, so much that they opened their own wine tasting room in 2012.
After a visit, who could argue with their conclusion?
“The weather is great year round, the ocean is at our doorstep and the shopping, restaurants and vibe here is so perfect.”
Dinner
Second things second
Our concierge at the Santa Barbara Hotel told us we’d find dining from casual eateries to world class restaurants and everything in between sharing The Presidio Neighborhood with Jamie Slone Wines.
Turns out they’re known for their farmer’s market ethos and “a touch of nostalgia.”
Important for the Santa Barbara upscale clientele.
We marveled at their giant fireplace, gold-leaf ceiling and what looked like elegant private rooms on our way to our table.
I’m not sure if I’d agree with their website’s description — “enriching, sensual experience of flavors, ingredients, and ambiance.”
After all, I’m a cheap skate.
But, I can agree with … “The restaurant is one of a handful in Santa Barbara that is operating at a truly fine-dining level, and that offers great wines by the glass (something oddly hard to find in Santa Barbara).”
Most importantly to me, I guess, was how much fun the four of us had together at dinner. And with an eye on the time, we settled our bill and walked across the parking lot to the brightly lit Lobero Theatre.
The historic Lobero Theatre has been Santa Barbara’s home for great performances and memories since 1873.
Can that be true? 1873?
According to Wikipedia it was originally built as an opera house, in a refurbished adobe school building, by Italian immigrant José Lobero in 1873.
By the 1920s the building was falling apart.
“The Lobero Theater opened in August 1924, during a period in which civic groups in Santa Barbara were beginning to unify the town’s architectural look around a Spanish Colonial style.”
Since then it’s been a home to music, dance and theatre performances.
When we filed in and found our seats it was clear that this was a Baby Boomer crowd.
Up on the stage were kids and instruments and performers.
Turns out during the opening number it was the rhythm driving the fun they all had.
To be honest we didn’t understand what was going on.
In the past Jeff Bridges donated a signed guitar. David Crosby signed a poster as part of a silent auction.
When the kids left and the rockers remained we wondered who they were and why were they there?
They swam in the same circles as many famous and supporting musicians over the years since the 60s and 70s.
And, they showed up to support Eddie Tuduri.
And his cause.
Tuduri’s professional drumming career, according to his bio, has spanned over 40 years working with artists such as Delaney Bramlett, Bobby Whitlock, The Beach Boys, Dobie Gray,Del Shannon, Rick Nelson and the Stone Canyon Band, Dr. John, Ike Turner and many others.
“On September 6th 1997, I was catching the last wave at the beach here in Carpinteria before getting ready for my gig.”
The body boarding wave he caught slammed him to the ocean floor, paralyzing him.
“I saw the beautiful Carpinteria sky and in the blink of an eye, I was back. I was clearly disappointed, the first words I uttered were, “Oh Shit”.
I was placed gently on the shore, but I was totally paralyzed.”
As the core founding story goes, during his rehab, he asked a friend to bring a pair of drum sticks and a couple of percussion toys.
“Other patients in the ward joined in on the rhythm and the happiness it created.
By experiencing these simple moments of joy through music with people outside of his career of playing drums as a living, Eddie began to understand music at an entirely new level.
The basic rhythms of percussion and clapping were making trauma patients feel alive and hopeful.”
No wonder, then the concert seemed like a family reunion of celebrities and backup singers and studio musicians.
To be honest, I didn’t recognize anyone else except for Michael McDonald.
The band “Pockets” with Bill & Tamara Champlin, Táta Vega, Amy Holland, or Carl Graves until they played some of their own hits.
It took a little digging, but here’s what I discovered.
“Pockets were a soul group from Baltimore who had three top 40 R&B hits in the late 1970s best known for their single “Come Go With Me“.
“Carl Graves‘ smooth single “Baby, Hang Up the Phone” was a Top 20 R&B hit in 1974.
Graves sang with the band Skylark (which also included David Foster and singer Donny Gerard) who had a 1973 number nine pop hit with “Wildflower.”
Tata Vega
“Táta Vega has had an active career as a lead backing vocalist, working with Russ Taff, Stevie Wonder, Andraé Crouch, Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle, Michael Jackson, Ray Charles and Madonna, singing duets with Lou Rawls, Jermaine Jackson, Peter Rivera with Rare Earth and Michael Sembello. Vega is featured on the 2010 Elton John and Leon Russell CD The Union.”
Up next, Tamara Champlin.
She has performed with and written for singers such as Elton John, Leon Russell, Nicky Hopkins, Andreas Carlsson, husband Bill Champlin and son Will Champlin.
Amy Holland?
“Holland’s eponymous debut studio album, produced by the Doobie Brothers‘ former lead singer Michael McDonald, was released in 1980 and featured the hit “How Do I Survive“, which peaked at No. 22 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.“
Holland married Michael McDonald in 1983.
The couple lives in Santa Barbara, California and has two children, Dylan and Scarlett.
In 1995, Holland was diagnosed with cancer, and after many years of therapy, she is now in good health.
In 2016, she released her fourth studio album, Light On My Path.
The album features a duet, “Prove That by Me” with Michael McDonald, in addition to background vocals by David Pack (Ambrosia), Joseph Williams (Toto), and David Crosby.
And, finally, Michael McDonald who released “Wide Open” in September, his first studio album in years and ended a massive US tour in Los Angeles in November.
I’m sure it felt good for him to be home.
It felt good to contribute to such a great cause.
And, you could tell it felt good for everyone to play with each other on stage.
I didn’t really listen as I did the mental calculation about how to park our car and cart our clothes in without tipping.
Self-Serve Room Cart in Lobby Near Elevator
Cheap?
Yup, plus we’re on the hook for paying $15 a day already for parking.
We chatted for a couple of minutes.
“If not Telluride, where are you from?” he asked.
Of course, I told him Orange County and then launched into the traffic and accident and …
“Where abouts?” he asked.
Rooms at the Santa Barbara Hotel
Turns out his dad was in Ventura, so he called him to warn him and to find out more about flipped car accident.
Then he leaves to check out when we can check in.
Emma joins our valet to see if we can be upgraded to a nicer room, since we have to kill some time.
But, no.
When we get the green light signaling our room is available, we carry our stuff into the lobby.
Classic Otis Elevator at Santa Barbara Hotel
The Ventura valet-son instructed us how to operate the old-time, double door elevator which took us to our fourth floor room that overlooked the hustle and bustle on State Street.
“The modern Otis elevator contains antique design elements including the original spring-loaded scissor gate. Hop on board to enjoy the remaining historic details.”
The lobby and ambiance so reminded us of the Montecito Inn, so we felt right at home again in Santa Barbara.
My wife inspected every nuance of our room.
She revisited a map handed to her by the registration hostess.
She declared each of our Friday evening events were all within walking distance.
And, then calculated just how long we could enjoy our non-driving relaxations before dressing for dinner and a concert.
Meanwhile, I conducted my deep, background research.
Oh, okay I got the history from a card on our desk next to the other card telling us how to log into WiFi.
Historical Society Shows Hotel Santa Barbara’s Earlier Days
“Past and Present
Hotel Santa Barbara continues a grand tradition which began in 1876 when the City of Santa Barbara was still a sleepy pueblo.
Since the early days, a hotel has always been located on the site now occupied by Hotel Santa Barbara.
Southern California Earthquake Data Center at Caltech
In 1925, a major earthquake destroyed much of downtown Santa Barbara, including what was then called the Santa Barbara Hotel.
Vowing never to lose another building to an earthquake, the owner constructed a new hotel, the Saint Barbara, to specifications far exceeding those required at the time.
Owner Neal Callahan’s Name on the Building
(Neal Callahan constructed the earthquake-destroyed hotel.
If you look at the front of the building you can see his name above the awning.)
Apparently the Saint Barbara was not always quite a saint.
Local legend has it that liquor was always available in the hotel during Prohibition, and that for years, a “secret’ gaming room flourished somewhere near the lobby.
Clark Gable (Wikipedia)
The Saint Barbara eventually became The Barbara Hotel and a getaway for many of Hollywood’s brightest stars.
“After the rebuild the hotel became a celebrity getaway.
Clark Gable and Carol Lombard were frequent guests, and eyewitnesses claim Leo Carrillo rode his horse around the lobby on several occasions.”
Leo Carrillo (Wikipedia)
Following World War II, the area and hotel’s popularity gradually declined and eventually the doors closed to Hollywood’s celebrities and travelers from around the world.
The hotel wasn’t reopened until the late 1960s, and in 1975 was purchased by Rolland and Venetia Jacks.
With the help of their children they revitalized the hotel and for many years served both residential and leisure guests.
By the mid 1990’s the Old Town area in which the hotel is located had improved so dramatically that the Jacks concluded it was time for a major renovation.
The hotel close for renovation in November 1966. Nine months and $ million later it emerged as a reborn classic … Hotel Santa Barbara.”
But, enough about that.
That was then.
Time to join the bustling parade buzzing on State Street below our window for our night out on the town.
Avania In – One block from the oceanfront, beaches and harbor.
Inn By The Harbor -Spanish Colonial Tradition near the beaches and yacht harbor.
Lavender Inn by the Sea – lavender gardens and two blocks Stearns Wharf and bike path
La Quinta Inn & Suites – Boutique hotel on historic State Street
Harbor View Inn – Boutique resort hotel across street from West Beach
Brisas del Mar, Inn at the Beach – Santa Barbara classic villa two blocks from harbor
Pepper Tree Inn – on 5 acres of tropical gardens
Hyatt Santa Barbara – Historic resort, built in 1931
Not-a-Scorpio Carol and her Newport Beach husband stay in Montecito, at a cottage they rent on an estate, twice a month to be near their married daughter and their grandchildren.
The only thing we Empty Nesters live for.
When?
They leave from Newport Beach traveling on the Interstate 405 and US Route 101 on Thursdays after 7 pm and don’t return to Orange County until Mondays after 10 am to miss the majority of traffic.
What?
Google shows us details about our 148 mile road trip which if all goes well lasts for 2 hours and 33 minutes.
Give or take, don’t you know?
On the road to the American Riviera.
Feeling Willie Nelson in our bones.
We can’t wait to hit the road.
Escape.
Freedom.
Top two highway driving songs on my playlist.
One of America’s hits, “Ventura Highway”
About a month earlier we weren’t able to attend an “America” concert at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano with our friends. And we missed a visit to the Newport Beach house they’re currently renting after building and selling a spec home in Shady Canyon.
“Ventura Highway” theme for the Road Trip (vs. “Horse With No Name” about which decades earlier my mother grilled me about the meaning of the lyrics.)
Dewey Bunnell from back in the day
Dewey Bunnell, according to Wikipedia, explains:
“I remember vividly having this mental picture of the stretch of the coastline traveling with my family when I was younger. Ventura Highway itself, there is no such beast, what I was really trying to depict was the Pacific Coast Highway, Highway 1, which goes up to the town of Ventura.”[
Next up? Jackson Browne’s “Running On Empty.”
Jackson Browne’s Open Road Anthem
Looking out at the road rushing under my wheels —
Looking back at the years gone by like so many summer fields.
I don’t know where I’m running now, I’m just running on …
Great. Just great I need to crank back on Jackson’s song.
We’ve planning a trip to Italy in a year with another couple.
Emma updates Elle on what she learned from other friends about recommended tips and ideas
Typical South Coast Regional Traffic
Traffic defines the boundaries of every day bubbles- traffic to and from Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura and finally Santa Barbara counties
Expected traffic traveling north in Los Angeles on the 405.
Mulholland Drive
LAX airport congestion.
Up the incline past Westwood, the Getty Center, and Skirball Cultural Center to the crest at our old exit Mulholland Drive to Emma’s parents former home on Tobin Way,
The 10 to Santa Monica
View from the Getty
Emma gets an update from her younger brother. We admired their refrigerator on our epic, awesome empty-nest adventure in Dillon, Colorado. And trekked to Cathedral Rock while swatting mosquitoes away.
They recently returned from a trip to Australia having briefly met David for a quick lunch and stopover before moving on to New Zealand.
David had been in Australia and left the same day to Bali
Wait, what, not on this section of the freeway.
Smooth sailing turns into unexpected parking lot bumper-to-bumper as we turn into the Ventura Freeway (101) from the 405.
Exit signs we expect to miss in a blink of an eye
The irritating kind at exit signs for Moorpark around Thousand Oakes.
We normally expect traffic when the Ventura Freeway drops into the valley at Camarillo and Oxnard on its way to Ventura.
The kind of traffic that encourages In-and-out slalom lane-switch drivers
The kind of traffic that encourages your driver to space out and lose track of just exactly where you are.
Isn’t this the two-lane just south of Santa Barbara?
“Wait, have we already driven through Ventura or are we still on the way to Ventura?”
And, wait what’s that up there ahead?
Lights flashing.
Traffic moving shrinking from two lanes down to one lane – actually half in the slow right hand lane and half on its shoulder.
OMG
Two fire trucks.
An ambulance.
Two California Highway Patrol cruisers and maybe a motorcycle cop.
One small car crunched like an accordion.
Another flipped up and balancing on its side with the bottom blackened where everyone can see the drive train and muffler and motor.
Wow.
Karma caught up to a slalom lane-switcher?
“How long, maybe 5 minutes or 15 minutes, will it take before drivers resort back to their bad old habits of trying to get ahead of everyone else?”
Earlier I had fantasized the two-lane portion of the 101 was actually that section leading into Carpinteria and maybe Summerland and maybe Montecito – near the Olive Mill Road exit – at the southern border of Santa Barbara.
The neighborhood of La Conchita has suffered fromlarge landslides in the recent past that have wiped out homes and even killed local residents.
Rincon County Beach
The worse of these was the tragic slide on January 10th 2005 when a huge rain-caused side killed 10 residents.
Carpinteria’s home to ten beaches alone.
But, no.
Turns out we were just south of where the 101 grows multiple lanes – maybe 3 or 4 – but who’s counting.
More waves. More lanes. Less Traffic.
It’s that section where everyone can drive 70 miles per hour while spreading out and while looking out the drivers side window to absorb the surf pounding the beaches bordering the Pacific Ocean.
Wave Break at Rincon
Later, we discovered that’s exactly where our son drives to surf.
There and north of Santa Barbara is where he can more consistently find surf-able waves.
Surf’s Up?
So, over the years we’ve driven through Santa Barbara many times on our way up the Central Coast to Cambria and less frequently to Big Sur.
Historic Montecito Inn
We’ve always enjoyed spending weekends in Santa Barbara, especially at the Montecito Inn once owned by Charlie Chaplin.
We arrived at 2pm a little too late to stop on the way for lunch and a little too early to check in.
Santa Barbara Hotel
Santa Barbara Hotel
We’re cheap travelers.
So once Siri directed us on what seemed like a convoluted route involving a maze of one way streets we first drove past and then returned to Valet Parking on a side street.
Deserts and Flowers. Maybe those families and locals and tourists stuck in Heavenly traffic should have headed to the desert instead. Wait, flowers in the desert? Yup, this years’ super bloom.
Do I really?
Scorpio (Oct. 24 – Nov. 21)
Here’s how The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara’s website describes their 80 acre property:
Vibrant blues and intricate patterns. 
Okay.
The restoration process helped to highlight the original Spanish-colonial and Californian craftsman styles, with modern additions including a zero-edge outdoor pool and sumptuous boutique spa. Here, every sense is heightened.”
Higher up on more twisty canyon roads took us to San Ysidro Ranch in the Santa Ynez Mountains overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
served as a sanctuary for Franciscan monks before becoming a citrus operation and then eventually a hotel.”
Or maybe why our Scorpio friends warned us and then gave us a demonstration.
We passed it on the way up.
Street while he returned to his bedroom and tried to take a nap.
We walk together near the original Presidio, the second red rectangular box of the three on the map.
It attracts side-preneurs and artists and surfers and, well Portfolio Locals and Digitally Mobiles.
Where it is.
We staked our spot out while listening to the solo singer near the entrance.
Drive from the hotel down Lower State Street to the harbor and turn left on E. Cabrillo Blvd which hugs the beach and the sunbathers and picnickers on the greenbelt while looking for a parking spot near the East Beach Grille.
Walk, walk, walk.
A third distraction.
One of the two.
I guess Siri knew best, after all. No wait Emma did. But that’s another 
Today it is marketed as home to “discoveries of hidden walkways, courtyards, and amazing architectural details set against the backdrop of the American Riviera and the Santa Ynez mountains.”
“Located at the main entrance to the Historic El Paseo in the vibrant 
Like for countless others the Urban Wine Trail brought them to the Historic El Paseo in the “Presidio Neighborhood to enjoy some world class Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and some fabulous Rhone blends.”
“Santa Barbara’s culinary and wine landmark, the 
We marveled at their giant fireplace, gold-leaf ceiling and what looked like elegant private rooms on our way to our table.
But, I can agree with … “The restaurant is one of a handful in Santa Barbara that is operating at a truly fine-dining level, and that offers great wines by the glass (something oddly hard to find in Santa Barbara).”
And, they showed up to support Eddie Tuduri.
“I saw the beautiful Carpinteria sky and in the blink of an eye, I was back. I was clearly disappointed, the first words I uttered were, “Oh Shit”.
The band “Pockets” with Bill & Tamara Champlin, Táta Vega, Amy Holland, or Carl Graves until they played some of their own hits.
“Carl Graves
“Táta Vega has had an active career as a lead backing vocalist, working with Russ Taff, Stevie Wonder, Andraé Crouch, Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle, Michael Jackson, Ray Charles and Madonna, singing duets with Lou Rawls, Jermaine Jackson, Peter Rivera with Rare Earth and Michael Sembello. Vega is featured on the 2010 Elton John and Leon Russell CD The Union.”
Up next, Tamara Champlin.
Holland married Michael McDonald in 1983.
And, finally, Michael McDonald who released “
My wife inspected every nuance of our room.
