One Last California Hurrah, Pt 1: Santa Barbara
I know, last thing I need is another little trip somewhere when my savings have crossed the dangerously low line. But the thought of not spending time with my sweet sister for a year motivated me to put together a short budget getaway before she starts her junior year of HS and I leave for the Fulbright. Our first destination, Santa Barbara, is honestly not a budget destination, but we couldn’t resist, and it was spectacular.
Loon Point came as a phone tip from the motel receptionist, who turned out to be this sort of sexy woman with great style. When I met her later, I thought that Loon Point suited her very well. The beach was secluded, hidden behind these fabulous homes in Summerland, and cold (not to suggest that she was though). We picnicked, swam in the frigid water, collected shells, and read before packing up. What a perfect beginning.
Presidio Motel is A FIND. A treasure. Pop-art motel. Ikea furniture with art-house magazines. Origami mobiles and a handcrafted rose. You want to put on a beat and dance. We loved this room. We tried peeking in every other room to see the different wall prints. Everything from the beach cruisers to the cute breakfast made us happy here.
can you BELIEVE the taller white building used to be a prison? yes, it was! I thought that I wouldn’t mind having to go to prison for a while if it was in this stunning location.
I do <3 Presidio. Our bicycle ride took us down State St., past the Zoo, the bird refuge, the cemetery, and to Butterfly Beach, where we arrived just in time for the sun to set and our feet to be covered in tar.
As we were futilely trying to scrub the tar from our feet, the ruggedly attractive owner of these two dogs passed us by, took one look, and said two words. “Baby oil.”
Swoon.
