GET THERE: Most major airlines, including American Airlines, Delta, Frontier, United and US Airways, fly nonstop or with one stop from Denver International Airport (DEN) to either Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) or Los Angeles International (LAX) starting at $298 round-trip. Downtown Santa Barbara is but a few miles south of the municipal airport via U.S. 101 and 92 miles north of LAX, also via U.S. 101.
STAY: Inn of the Spanish Garden (915 Garden St., 805-564-4700, ) manages to feel upscale, modern and colonial Spanish all at the same time; it sits three blocks off State Street and has pretty, comfortable rooms with plenty of space. A lap pool, tile-lined courtyard and included continental breakfast are among the amenities, and parking is free. Rates start at $259 for king or two queens.
The Inn at East Beach (1029 Orilla Del Mar, 805-965-0546, ) has a great location — you can walk right out the door and across the street to stick your feet in the sand (the hotel will lend you an umbrella, blanket or boogie board), and the views of the mountains and coast are spectacular. Room choices include kitchen suites or regular — WiFi included — and there’s a nice kidney-shaped pool if you get tired of the beach. Rates start at $253 for a king or queen; suites start at $310.
DINE: Olio e Limone Ristorante (11 W. Victoria St., 805-899-2699, ) offers stellar Italian fare, including pastas such as the ravioli filled with eggplant and goat cheese that melt in your mouth. The salmon carpaccio with fennel and the house dressing are amazing. Call for reservations; the tiny spot fills quickly.
Savoy Truffles (24 W. Figueroa St., 805-966-2139, ) is a blessing in a town that makes it tough to find a bargain. Get a creatively assembled sandwich or piled-high salad at this tidy, stylish deli and finish it off with a superb espresso drink and one of the dozens of handcrafted truffles.
Mimosa (2700 De La Vina St., 805-682-2272) is a little peach-and-blue gem that’s another reasonably priced find; it serves bistro-style French and excellent pastries. The coq au vin is textbook perfect, and the wine list is a nice collection of French and California.
Bouchon Santa Barbara (9 W. Victoria St., 805-730-1160, ) is owned by longtime area resident Mitchell Sjerven, and he and chef Josh Brown have become known for their commitment to true California cuisine, using almost exclusively local, micro-ranch- produced ingredients. The result is fresh-fresh dishes that astound with their flavors, and the staff is enthusiastic and charming.
ENJOY: Mesa Lane Beach (the steps at the end of Mesa Lane south of Cliff Drive) is where you’ll find the locals when the East and Arroyo Burro beaches are packed. Pretty cliffs provide a backdrop for the thin stretch of clean sand that makes for nice walking.
The Santa Barbara Museum of Art (1130 State St., 805-963-4364, ) is free to all on Sundays, and every day the inviting white building offers a good mix of Asian, European and American art.
Franceschi Park (1510 Mission Ridge Road, 805-564-5418) offers 18 acres of trails and views, with an old house on site and a little picnic area. Good place to stretch the legs and get great shots of the city and coastline (free).
The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden (1212 Mission Canyon Road, 805-682-4726, ) is open daily, and a drive here nets good peeks at the Santa Ynez peaks. More than 40 acres and 5.5 miles of California flora provide a nice afternoon’s worth of relaxing strolling. Pretty Japanese tea garden too.
MORE INFO: Santa Barbara Conference and Visitors Bureau, 800-676-1266, 805-966-9222 or .
Kyle Wagner: 303-954-1599 or travel@denverpost.com
