Help Us Choose A Minimoon, Part Two
December 17th, 2007 @ 3:59 pm by Mrs. Jasmine
Considering how indecisive I am, I’m hoping there won’t be a “Help Us Choose a Minimoon, Part 372″ post a few months from now 
Thank you SO much for all of your input and suggestions concerning possible minimoon destinations. It gave Mr. Jasmine and I a lot to think about. We finally decided, after much deliberation, that Las Vegas, Napa, and New York were probably all unsuitable concerning our time constraints. With only three days for a getaway, we would get the most out of our limited time by vacationing somewhere close to Los Angeles.
So, we decided to heed the advice of Weddingbee reader “ambinsb” and consider Santa Barbara as a destination. A mere 90 minute drive from Los Angeles, Santa Barbara is beautiful and relaxing, with lovely vineyards to tour, beaches to visit, and wonderful restaurants and shopping. And I double-checked: our visit won’t coincide with UCSB commencement ceremonies.
So I need the advice of Weddingbee readers once again: do any of you have any favorite hotels/b&bs in Santa Barbara? Must-visit restaurants/shops/attractions? Any cons to a Santa Barbara getaway?
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20 Responses to “Help Us Choose A Minimoon, Part Two”
The Inn of the Spanish Garden is AMAZING! I stayed there with my now FI a couple years ago and we absolutely loved it. The rooms are immaculate and SO charming and the staff is wonderful and extremely friendly. It’s very close to the shopping and excitement of State Street, but not too close so that it’s quiet in the evening so that you and your husband can enjoy romantic evenings together.
There are also so many wonderful little details, such as the Frette linens, Molson bath products, and they also have different packages such as a Romance package that you can choose from. I cannot rave enough about this place, you’ll have to check it out for yourself! http://www.spanishgardeninn.com
lulu: We hadn’t thought of Catalina Island, but that could be a great choice– thank you for the suggestion! I’ve actually never been there–do you have any suggestions of great places to stay or things to do?
hands down - bacara.
I was just there this summer and Montecito looked amazing. Also, isn’t there a Four Seasons in the area? I feel like there was one BIG luxury hotel.
Mr. K and I stayed at the El Encanto, just for a weekend, and had a great time!
Also, don’t forget to hit up Solvang, I just love it there!
We spent a dating anniversary in SB one year — and loved it! We drove the scenic route up from LA, which added to the romance, and stayed at a hotel on the beach, which I wouldn’t necessarily recommend (overpriced and not that nice). Otherwise, HIGHLY recommend SB overall — you could do the vineyard thing, beach thing, spas, etc, etc. We loved it just as much as our trip to Sonoma.
We also did a date to Catalina — which I would not recommend for a mini-moon. Don’t get me wrong: it’s beautiful and it’s a great day trip, but after a few hours there we were bored.
I’m so glad you chose Santa Barbara! You won’t regret it. Bacara is lovely but a good 20 minute drive into downtown SB (but on the other hand, 20 minutes closer to the Santa Ynez wineries). I think the Four Season’s Biltmore is the best hotel (and priciest) in Santa Barbara. It is in lovely Montecito, 5 minutes from downtown, and across from the best beach in SB (Butterfly beach, no seaweed!) If you want to be closer to the action, Hotel Andalucia is on State Street and literally across the street from great shopping, and Fess Parker’s Doubletree is downtown near the wharf and across from the beach. Have fun!
i echo mrs kiwi and go to Solvang! it’s cute!
Bacara might be where the celebs go but it’s a trek away from all the good restaurants and “life” of SB. And frankly there are better things to do for your money. Just don’t stay anywhere in the main part of that picture that you posted… that’s UCSB. Stay closer to downtown or in Montecito like suggested above.
DO take the chance to go over the hill into the Santa Ynez valley for wine tasting and oak tree covered hills.
I put my hand up for considering Catalina too. Muy fun. Take the bus trip to the other end of the island from Avalon. It’ll feel more like you’re getting “away” since you head off on a boat.
I went there on a post engagement trip. Didn’t make reservations and to our dismay, no vacancies during the summer (go figure). We finally found a vacancy at the Marina Beach Motel which was a cute place a block near the beach. We would go back there again. It was clean with a reasonable summer rate. Also check out the county courthouse because there you can go up the tower to see a 360 view of the city at no cost.
i haven’t been to santa barbara, but i was in san luis obispo last summer, and loooved it. we stayed at apple farm, and the madonna inn is supposedly great. all their rooms are themed, some themed very… oddly. but some are normal and gorgeous.
Ooh- try the Cold Springs Tavern. It’s a restaurant inland of SB (we went up to Solvang and then to Cold Springs) and it was one of the cosiest, most unique restuarants I’ve been to. It is not of the super glam, contemporary restaurants that LA is known for, but it really makes you feel tucked away from it all. There are a few buildings on the property- one with the live music and the bar, another where they do the cooking, and the other where you eat dinner. The restaurant section is the old main house and we actually were eating in what used to be a bedroom. The food was wonderful, it’s reasonably priced, and the music being played that night was amazing. FI and I always comment on how that was one of our best nights of our trip to CA.
everything in sb books up really fast. i’ve actually never stayed there because i couldn’t get a room! so my only tip would be to book far in advance, and definitely, definitely visit solvang!
Hey, a Santa Barbara bride here! Welcome to my city
The Fess Parker is wonderful, on the waterfront and a quick walk from Brophy Brothers (BEST seafood EVER! at the harbor).
Or The Biltmore is fantastic, pricey of course and not within walking distance for anything except the beautiful Butterfly Beach.
The Bacara Resort is fantastic! (I’m having my day after wedding brunch there); also not within walking distance but a very romantic stay.
The Andalucia is in downtown SB, just a couple years new and very “hip”. You can walk our main street - State Street - and go to some really great restaurants, Holdrens for steaks, Arigato for sushi, and also a bevvy of fun bars. Some upscale and not over-run by UCSB students.
Definitely try to get to Santa Ynez and Los Olivos where all the wineries are. Solvang has a couple (cute little Danish town) but they are not really known for their wines; Santa Ynez and Los Olivos are beautiful country to see. And for dinner on your way back stop at Cold Springs Tavern, an original stage coach stop in the old days! or Mattie’s Tavern!!!
Gosh, I could go on and on! Have fun
Did you see “Sideways”? When I was in SB a couple years ago, they’d started giving out “Sideways” maps, so you could go to all of the wineries they went to. It was really fun. We just got our map from an info booth downtown, but I bet all the hotels have them.
Try to go to Bouchon for dinner. It’s just off State Street and has outstanding food and service! It is one of our favorite places to go for special occasions!
Another amazing hotel that I don’t think has been mentioned is the San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito (where John and Jackie Kennedy honeymooned)!
…one more thing, if you do go to Catalina for your minimoon, then definitely try to stay at the Inn on Mt. Ada. It was formerly the Wrigley mansion and is INCREDIBLE. If they are booked, then stay at the Hotel Metropole.
We’re probably going to have to stay local too for a minimoon and I think SB is a perfect choice. To make it feel extra-special, I would splurge on the Four Seasons Biltmore. I recently went there for a conference and their service/ammenities are impeccable (l’occitane and bulgari soaps and shampoos), their food is fantastic, the spa is wonderful, they have two gyms/clubs, and it’s secluded on a somewhat private beach so you can really focus on spending time together. and of course, do all the road trips as suggested above.
Mrs. Jasmine, Chicago/LA
Age and Occupation: 25, Attorney
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Attorney
Engagement Date: March 24, 2007
Wedding Date: June 7, 2008
Blogging Since: September 20, 2007
Venue: Hotel on the westside of Los Angeles
About Me: I'm a happy-go-lucky, imaginative spirit trapped in the body of a lawyer. I love reading, shopping, dining out, and exploring my beloved adopted city of Chicago with my fiance. We're planning the wedding of our dreams in my hometown of Los Angeles and we're excited to incorporate our cherished Indian/Pakistani customs and traditions.
Hello, since you will be in the area, have you thought about Catalina Island? only a short boat trip away =)