Adventure Through the American Riviera

Just over an hour from the Valley by plane—and only about seven by car— lies Santa Barbara. Nicknamed the American Riviera for its similarity to the French Rivera, the region boasts dozens of beaches and offers visitors everything from whale watching, rock climbing, SCUBA diving and backcountry Jeep tours to eaglewatching tours, sky diving, wind surfing, sailing excursions, fishing charters, a skateboard park and seven 18-hole championship golf courses.

Though a mere 90 minutes from Los Angeles, Santa Barbara is truly a world apart. Visually, expect more of a Mediterranean vibe as the city bursts with Spanish-, Moorish-, Portuguese- and American Indian-inspired architecture. More than 100 years ago, the region was a major player in the film industry, with over 1,200 movies filmed in the area during the silent-film era. As a result, families including the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, Carnegies and DuPonts invested in land in the area, which inspired poets and artists to come see what all the fuss was about. Overwhelmed by Santa Barbara’s splendor, many made the Enjoy a sojourn in SoCal stunner Santa Barbara By Alison Bailin Batz

area their permanent home and still do, giving the area a reputation for being as culturally rich as it is beautiful. The world’s biggest names are still frequenting the area, notably Oprah Winfrey, who loves it so much she moved there.

Given there is so much to see and do, however, getting it all in on one’s first trip— or first trip in a while—is virtually impossible. Here is a look at where to stay, what to do and how to make the most of a visit. Accommodations

Life’s a journey, not a destination. However, Belmond believes that by exploring destinations and cultures both near and far, one’s journey can be so much richer. A luxury travel and adventure brand with a collection of 46 hotels as well as trains and river cruises in 22 countries, Belmond is no mere travel planner or website, instead considering itself the ultimate travel curator and connoisseur for even the most discerning of travelers. Among its most impressive offerings is Belmond El Encanto. Majestic and regal, the Forbes Five Star award-winning property features 7 acres of gardens and is limited to just 96 rooms, suites and

bungalows. Restored in recent years for today’s traveler, it still boasts much of the charm that guests like President Franklin D. Roosevelt enjoyed nearly 100 years ago, including its original 1928 wishing well, lily pond and romantically placed wisteria vines that climb up brick-columned arbor. Its negative-edge pool not only has sweeping views of the entire city, but one of the most impressive views of the miles of beaches and crystal blue oceans you will ever see. The spa is similarly lavish yet cozy, with just seven treatment rooms and intoxicatingly relaxing men’s and women’s lounges as well as treatments inspired by the California coast.

Drinking and dining on property are special treats. The lounge excels in using herbs and citrus grown on property in its cocktails, and the dining room—which has a stunning terrace known for some of the best al fresco dining in the country—not only does the same with its dishes and has a sumptuous caviar service to boot, but the property even makes its own signature cheese, thanks to a hotel cow named Ellie, who lives onsite. For anything it cannot source from on property, every effort is made to support nearby local farmers, ranchers and fishermen by using their vegetables, fruits and sustainable wild seafood. Dining

Of course, Belmond is not the only culinary adventure to be had in Santa Barbara. People come from around the world to enjoy the farms, waters, vineyards, restaurants, farmers and fishermen markets, cooking classes, and food and wine events that create, cultivate and celebrate the region’s distinctive flavors. A true bucket-list experience is Bouchon. Chef Greg Murphy is a flavor wizard. If there was a doctorate

available in kitchen science, he would not simply have the degree, but be teaching the graduate courses. The best way to experience his genius is by joining him through his cooking process via his market tour and gourmet dinner package ($125 per person). Through it, twice a week chef Murphy leads an intimate group through Santa Barbara Certified Farmers Market, both giving a tour and showing how he sources ingredients for his awardwinning dishes. And then, later that evening the group is invited back for a three-course wine-pairing dinner using the ingredients sourced during the earlier adventure.

The Lark, which recently earned the Michelin Plate award, is another must. It is located in a region of Santa Barbara known as the Funk Zone, which is today the epicenter of the thriving arts scene in the city. Urban in design and built using repurposed materials in a nod to the area’s history as an industrial zone in year’s past, the restaurant especially excels at pairing locally sourced dishes with craft cocktails as well as wines grown in the area, with a special focus on the smaller producers.

For some of the freshest seafood—not to mention awe-inspiring views—don’t miss Tyde’s at the Four Seasons Santa Barbara. The indoor-outdoor space excels at taking seafood and infusing it with dreamy Mediterranean flavors that melt in one’s month. The olive oil poached halibut, charcoal-roasted black cod and crispy-skin salmon with Israeli cous cous are particularly spectacular. Insider tip: At sunset just before dinner at Tyde’s, visit the resort’s Coral Reef Bar, where the actual bar itself is a freestanding, 275-gallon, saltwateraquarium overlooking the ocean. The drinks are just as good as the view, and that is saying something.

One final culinary must: the new, inter

active downloadable Julia Child Food Trail Map, which is essentially a do-it-yourself culinary tour that incorporates long-time Santa Barbara resident and food goddess Julia Child’s favorite places to eat in the area. A quick Google search makes downloading it a snap. Must Dos

With a place to lay one’s head and dining set, the final piece to the puzzle is finding a way to experience the myriad attractions, or at least as much as possible. The best way to get one’s bearings while taking in a piece of everything at once is via DeeTours of Santa Barbara.

During these open-air tours, which are led in one-of-a-kind, bright-red stretched Jeeps, expert guides share the geographic and architectural beauty of the city as well as delve into its vibrant history and buzz by most of the major cultural attractions. In just over an hour, the wildly entertaining and often

funny city tour visits El Presidio, Queen of the Missions, Stearns Wharf, beaches, a bird refuge and zoo areas, the famous old Moreton Bay Fig Tree, elegant Montecito’s Lower Coast Village and Butterfly Beach. Oh, it also gives a faraway glance at Winfrey’s home.

Artistic attractions beyond the major sights and sounds abound as the region is home to more than 200 annual classic and contemporary stage productions, including concerts, drama, comedy, dance and musical theater. Of particular note is the State Street Ballet, the internationally lauded dance company. The company is comprised of 20 dancers representing six countries, and its performances are riveting and beautiful.

For those who prefer the beach, there are 25 from which to choose in the area. And nature lovers will be in heaven touring through acres of orchids and native plants at one of the area’s gardens or public parks, including Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens, Casa del Herrero, Lotusland, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden and Santa Barbara Orchid Estate.

The Santa Barbara Zoo as well as the Santa Barbara Aquarium, respectively, offer families as well as animal lovers full days of fun, with giraffe feeding, a rattlesnake quarry, behind-the-scene tours, play areas and—of course—dozens of exhibits with animals from every pocket of the world. Other sneakycool gems: the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum offers an in-depth look at the region’s maritime roots and surf culture; the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center resembles a working marine science laboratory; and the newly opened MOXI, the Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation, offers hands-on ways to explore history, art, culture, technology and science.

For more, visit santabarbaraca.com

The Whole Family

North Valley offers homes for many generations By Laura Latzko S ome areas of the Valley cater more speci cally to one demographic or age group. In communities like Fireside at Norterra, Sonoran Foothills and Union Park, folks from di erent age groups can  nd something to meet their needs.

 e area o ers single-family homes for families, retirees and everyone in between. In this area, single-family homes with three to four bedrooms and two bathrooms are the most common. Sonoran Foothills has homes with larger lot sizes than other planned communities.

 e area also has condos and townhouses, which tend to attract empty nesters and single people with no kids.

Shelley Sakala of the Sakala Group has lived in Fireside at Norterra for the last 13 years. A Realtor for 16 years, Sakala says living in the area allows her to be able to talk about speci c details of the communities around 85085.

“I think it’s the best way to go. I have  rsthand experience of the area,” Sakala says. “I’ve seen a lot of the homes, just through buying and selling with clients.”

She moved to the area when her family was expanding and she needed a larger home.  e area o ered her a chance to have the type of home she wanted, at a price point within her budget.

“I was growing my family, and I knew that we could a ord this area. We could have a beautiful home without paying the high prices of the Scottsdale or Desert Ridge areas, which is also a draw,” Sakala says.

Sakala’s family is an example of how the area’s master-planned communities appeal to multiple generations. Along with Sakala’s family, her parents, mother-in-law and 94-year-old grandmother also live in Fireside at Norterra.

“ ey can be close to the grandchildren and family and not feel like they are surrounded by only old folks if they were to go to a Sun City,” Sakala says.

 e close-knit community feel makes the master-planned communities in the area appealing to those who want to know their neighbors.

“People love to feel like they are part of a community, not just a homeowner,” Sakala says.

In areas like Fireside at Norterra, residents move within the same neighborhood.  ey may purchase a bigger home when they have kids or downsize when their children go to college.

Community centers, like those in Sonoran Foothills and Fireside at Norterra, have social groups and activities.

“ e community center is de nitely a big draw. It is designed to bring people together,” Sakala says.

 ese community centers o er amenities such as pools and  tness centers.  e Fireside at Norterra community center also has a

rock-climbing wall and tennis and basketball courts.

 e North Valley area is a short drive to attractions such as Six Flags Hurricane Harbor water park. Sakala says when her children were little, she took advantage of community center pools.

“I didn’t want a pool because I was always

scared of the possibility of kids drowning. I loved that there was a community center where I could take them down to swim, but I didn’t have the stress of it in my backyard,” Sakala says.

Master-planned communities o en come with added fees, such as homeowners association dues.

Fireside at Norterra residents pay HOA fees of around $125. HOA dues in other master-planned communities vary, based on amenities and common areas that need maintenance.

Under HOAs, residents need to abide by guidelines in the CC&R, which can cover items like overnight street parking and home colors.

Sakala says HOAs can be o -putting for some individuals who don’t want to follow these strict guidelines, but they can help keep home values high.

“ e majority of the population loves that because it ensures that a neighborhood is always going to look nice,” Sakala says.

 e commute to other parts of the Valley can deter buyers from purchasing in 85085. With road development, this has become less of an issue.

“We are close to the I-17 and 101 freeways, which makes commuting easier,” Sakala says. Having greater resources in the area, such as shopping centers and restaurants, has made it easier for residents. No longer do they have to drive to other parts of the Valley to get a bite to eat or basic necessities.

For Realtors, the best “problem” is the homes are in high demand. Sakala says a few months ago, buyers could be choosier about home features, but now the market is so competitive that they can’t be. Homes o en aren’t staying on the market very long.

Houses that are under $350,000 o en get multiple o ers. Sakala says it is important for buyers to be prepared for when they  nd a home that’s right for them.

“In this market, be ready to make a decision,” Sakala says. “If you go into a house and you like it, be ready to make an o er. Depending on the price point, it’s probably going to be a full-price o er. Agents are telling clients, ‘Look, you might not even be able to ask for repairs. You just take it.’”

Interest rates are low, a ording more families the opportunity to purchase homes now.  e median price of a home in the area was around $418,000 in February.

Sakala says the community o ers amenities similar to Desert Ridge but at a more a ordable price. Although buyers looking for homes want di erent elements, there are certain trends that Realtors see.

Many buyers are looking for certain sizes and features. Recent remodels are appealing as well.

“People absolutely love it if the  ooring has been redone because that can be such a dif-  cult process to live through,” Sakala says. Sakala says many buyers don’t want multistory homes.

“I just think that people feel like they don’t want to deal with stairs. I think a lot of people also think that a two-story house is more expensive to cool. In a market like we are seeing now, where it’s on  re, people have stopped being so picky even about that,” Sakala says. Sakala expects the area’s growth to continue in the next few years, especially with new developments in places like Union Park. It will o er more of an urban feel with shopping and dining options within walking distance. “It will be the kind of thing where you can walk down to the main street and do happy hour, grab a gi for somebody or get breakfast,” Sakala says.

 e area has always catered to people who enjoy outdoor activities, such as hiking and biking on the Sonoran Preserve, but now it’s o ering other amenities.

“It’s been a cultural desert up here.  at’s because aside from outdoor activities, there wasn’t much else to do. Now all of a sudden, we’ve got shopping, dining and lot of great things coming into the area. It’s really starting to change,” Sakala says.

Sakala says Sonoran Preserve views have always been a big draw.

“We have these fantastic views almost throughout the entire ZIP code.  at’s what’s so beautiful about this area. People in Arizona really want views. If they are going to live in the suburbs, that’s what they are looking for,” Sakala says.