Santa Barbara

 

Olaf and I celebrated our three year wedding anniversary in Santa Barbara last week. Santa Barbara is the most special city for us because that is where we met, fell in love, and got married. 

We stayed at the Bacara Resort and Spa which is near UCSB and shares a similar natural-style coastline. The hotel was purchased by new owners last year, so we were nervous that the place had lost it's California/ Spanish style charm. In fact, the change looks like it will be a good thing because the new owners are investing a lot of money in improving and renovating the resort. The place had a lot more energy this visit, which we appreciated. 

On Saturday we met with Lois and her daughter Kristy, Olaf's first friends in America. When Olaf and Daniel arrived fresh from Germany, wearing their lederhosen and clutching packages of bratwurst, Lois and Kristy welcomed them into their Santa Barbara home with open arms. Lois's sister Alice was Olaf and Daniel's English teacher at university, and had arranged for the boys to stay with Lois until they could find housing near UCSB. 

The view from our balcony

Morning coffee

We were absolutely blessed with the weather! It was 75 degrees the entire time we were there. We enjoyed every moment of sunshine, albeit with protection, as I have now taken to wearing sunscreen all the time (shock horror).

The Bacara does Christmas Santa Barbara style, which is always a treat for Olaf and I when we visit after Thanksgiving. In years past we have enjoyed their remixed Christmas music in the lobby while sitting by a big roaring fireplace. 

This year's Christmas decorations were absolutely the best. The lobby was filled with fresh pine and oranges, with vibrant orange and black monarch butterflies fluttering everywhere. 

Magical Bacara Christmas decorations

Sitting happy by the fireplace

Our new favorite thing to do at the Bacara is to relax. We used to run all around and hit up our favorite Santa Barbara coffee houses and beaches, but since last year we have tried to stay at the Bacara and enjoy their beaches, pool and natural scrub coastline. We went on lots of walks and were constantly scanning the ocean for dolphins and seals. 

 

On our anniversary we sat on the beach and watched the sunset together with a bottle of champagne and a bag of green and red tortilla chips from Trader Joe's. 

 

Happy anniversary!