The Local Tourist Goes To Santa Barbara!

When you live in LA and get the itch to leave town for a couple of days without going very far, it's great that you can drive just 90 minutes north along the Pacific Coast and wind up in Santa Barbara.

I haven't been there in years, so I immediately started researching places to stay. At first, I thought I could find a nice, reasonably-priced place to stay along or near the beach. Afterall, it was the end of September...not July. I soon discovered that a "nice, reasonably-priced place along the beach" was a contradiction in terms! These days, staying anywhere near the ocean anytime is going to cost you!

After comparing rates and amenities, we decided to stay at The Montecito Inn, a charming and historical hotel in Montecito, right next to S.B. Built in 1928 by the legendary Charlie Chaplin, the Inn was originally meant as an "escape to paradise" for Chaplin and his friends. And, if you didn't know this fact before, you'll most certainly get it as you make your way through the hotel and notice the thousands of Charlie Chaplin pictures on the walls. Incidentally, this was also the hotel where my grandparents stayed on their honeymoon in 1940, so of course we had to stay there, too!



Montecito is a nice alternative to staying in downtown Santa Barbara, which gets super-crowded and full of traffic on the weekends. It's actually only a few minutes drive away from SB. There are some lovely boutiques and restaurants all within walking distance and the beach is only a few blocks away.

The rooms at The Montecito Inn are a little small, but the luxury suites are a good size, have air-conditioning and are sound-proof (which is a good thing since the hotel is literally right off the highway!). The rate's aren't too bad -we got a pretty good deal on a suite on an off-peak night. We only stayed one night, so spending a little bit more was okay. The hotel offers free use of their cruiser bikes, so we went on a nice bike ride around Montecito and down to the beach. This was the view from our bikes:

That night, we had a great dinner at Lucky's, a classic (but pricey) steak house that's right next door to the hotel. The food was delicious, my Grey Goose martini was very good...and we sat next to Jimmy Connors, the famous tennis player, who apparently is one of their regulars!

As with any beach town, there's plenty of "outdoorsy"stuff to do in SB. We checked out the beaches and the wharf, strolled along State Street and visited the historical Santa Barbara Mission.

And, if you've got any money and/or energy left over, you can blow it at the Camarillo Outlet Stores on the way home. There's nothing like a good two-day getaway...and a new pair of shoes!

Quick Tips and Info:
1- Along with free use of their cruiser bikes, the Montecito Inn offers free valet service, free WIFI, a free continental breakfast, free Charlie Chaplin DVDs upon request, and according to my husband, a really nice gym (which, of course, I never saw). And, no, they're not paying me to write this :-)
2- Directions

Secret Japanese Gardens...In the Valley???

I've been driving past these gardens for years but never bothered to check them out. Until yesterday.

I had heard they were really beautiful, and I didn't have any previous plans, so I decided to pay a visit to The Japanese Gardens located in the Sepulveda Basin in the San Fernando Valley. Yes, you heard right...tranquil, serene Japanese gardens located in Van Nuys - talk about your yin and yang!

When I got there, I discovered that they were celebrating their25th year in existence (25 years? Who knew they were even there?). Yes, 25 years ago, Dr. Koichi Kawana conceived and created these authentic 6 1/2 acre Japanese gardens in collaboration with Donald Tillman's Water Reclamation Plant.

There are actually three gardens in one - a dry zen meditation garden, a wet-strolling garden (with waterfalls, lakes and streams) and a tea garden, housing the Shoin building and an authentic tea house projecting over the lake.



When you arrive, you must show ID and register your name with the guard. Then, you're told to check in at the gift shop where you're given passes and maps. After noticing the cameras on the premises, I asked the attendant why there was all the security. It's to guard against possible terrorist threats, he says. Terrorist threats? Who's going to terrorize a bunch of bonsai trees and bamboo in the valley? Then I'm told it's not the gardens but the water reclamation plant that they're protecting. If something should happen to the plant, the whole sewage system in the entire San Fernando Valley would be affected. Oh, okay. Well, that makes sense.

The entire water supply for all the gardens, not to mention three golf courses, a wildlife preserve and several parks, is provided by the reclamation plant next door. This would account for the slight odor you smell when you're there - but it's really not that bad. Talk about "going green"! This place was probably one of the first "eco" gardens around!

Hardly anyone knows about this place, so there's actual peace and quiet as you experience these lovely gardens. What a celebration of blues and greens! The grounds are well-maintained and there are a few shaded seating areas along the paths so you can sit, relax and de-stress!
I hear you can even book the tea house for parties or weddings - which would probably be quite lovely.

So, would I recommend a visit? Yes, if you happen to be in the valley (or close to it), it's a nice place to check out. Admission is only $2-3.00, there's plenty of parking because no one really knows about it, and the vibe there is actually pretty calm and peaceful. It's a great valley place to re-charge your chi!

Quick Tips:
1- Visiting hours are limited! They offer docent-led tours by appointment only Monday through Thursday from 9:30am - 12 noon. Then open strolling is available from 12-4pm. The last entry time is 3:15 pm. Their hours on Sunday are 10:00am - 3:30pm.
2- Directions

Meet Me At 3rd and Fairfax!

I think everyone's got a Farmer's Market story.

My mom's very first job was at the Magic Shop there 40+ years ago. I remember my grandmother always bought me and my sister rock candy every time we visited The Farmer's Market Candy Shop. My friend's family used to meet there every Sunday for brunch. And, my husband's first job was scooping ice-cream at Gill's Ice Cream Parlor, which has been there since 1937 (the ice cream parlor...not my husband.)

Yes, Farmer's Market is full of history. It sits in the heart of the Fairfax district on 3rd and Fairfax near the famous Canter's Deli and next to CBS Television City. I haven't been there in a while, and traveling around LA wouldn't be complete without a visit there.

In 1934, farmers parked their trucks and sold produce to local housewives on vacant land known as Gilmore Island. The idea was so successful that, by the end of that year, Farmer's Market had stalls, shops, restaurants and special events, like the Fall festival, which still goes on today.

Over the years, Farmer's Market, owned by the Gilmore's, evolved to eventually become one of the top tourist attractions in town! It was declared an historical landmark in 1991 and expanded in 2002 to include the North market and The Grove, an upscale, much-needed-for-this-area outdoor mall.

It's the mother of all farmer's markets. It's got great people, a funky environment, fresh produce and every kind of food you can imagine! There's Brazilian BBQ, Mexican cuisine, Sushi, French crepes, pizza, burgers, Cajun food and more! Yes, it's a food court...but, what a food court! Eat at Loteria Mexican Grill (great food!), Pampas Grill (great deal!) or dine al fresco at Monsieur Marceau. And, if that's not enough, get yourself a short-stack of pancakes at Du-par's Restaurant, which is almost as old and landmark-y itself!

Try to go early or at off peak hours- this place gets crowded! The traffic can be very heavy around there and the parking (or lack thereof) can be quite a challenge! I suggest parking at The Grove, which is adjacent to Farmer's Market, and then just walking next door.

Go for the food, the snacks, the bakery, the hot sauce, the history, the people-watching or the souvenirs. Go for breakfast, brunch, lunch, drinks or dinner. Whatever the reason, just go!

Quick Tips:
1- Go early or at off peak hours...this place gets crowded!
2- Check out their website - they have lots of great events coming up (including live music on Thursday and Friday nights) to celebrate their 75th anniversary.
3- Directions