I had the pleasure of living in gorgeous Santa Barbara, California…OK, it was only for few days. This area is hot in more ways than one as it was experiencing out-of-control wildfires at the time, but my visit went off without a hitch. Located about 1-1/2 hours from Los Angeles, I decided to drive up from L.A.; flying out of the Santa Barbara Airport on the way home. This quaint airport is a story unto itself as it offers a trip back in time to when airports were smaller and less hectic.
Anyway, I can’t think of a better way to enjoy Santa Barbara than staying in a luxuriously appointed home of my own. It gives the feeling of living in this Southern California paradise for a fraction of the cost of a hotel. I stayed in lovely Casa Bella, a 3 bedroom home in the Montecito area of Santa Barbara nestled between the Biltmore Four Seasons Hotel overlooking Butterfly Beach and Montecito’s Coast Village, featuring unique shops and restaurants. This celebrity 
drenched area is home of Ellen DeGeneres, Carol Burnett, and Oprah Winfrey; among many others. I even gave myself the VIP treatment by enjoying a sugar scrub treatment and a deep tissue massage at the Four Seasons Hotel Spa and since I was now a local (I mentioned that my home was a block away), I received the 20% “local’s” discount!
My California home was arranged through Santa Barbara Luxury Rentals. Renting a plush home in this exclusive area is as easy as checking into a hotel due to the careful attention given to each and every guest by the team at SBLR. I was pleased to find all of the amenities one would expect from a luxury hotel right here in this exquisite home. Everything from bathrobes waiting in the bedroom closets to bottled water and chocolates on
each nightstand. Now, why would I stay at a hotel? Santa Barbara Luxury Rentals definitely made me feel welcome on the West Coast. If you enjoy luxury without the restrictions and unnecessary expenses of a hotel stay, renting a luxury property is the only way to go!
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Great Review! Santa Barbara has always been one of my favorite spots. Looks like you found a great home away from home… Vacation rentals are a great alternative to hotel, sounds like it was less expensive too. Great suggestion!
My hometown. That fire destroyed 2 homes where I’d lived. The beaches there are so cold compared to Florida, but the land views of sea and mountains are spectacular (when not obscured by smoke). Thanks for the review and advice.
This is a great blog and a great idea as well! I have always wanted to stay in a house in Santa Barbara but I always come for shorter trips and don’t want to waste all of that money. I travel to SB all the time and whenever I do I always stay at the Sandman Inn (www.thesandmaninn.com). So affordable and the location is excellent. Very quaint and cozy as well, perfect place to come home to after a long day out in Santa Barbara!
I’ve stayed in a vacation rental and The Sandman and they are both great suggestions. The rental is better if you are coming with a large group of friends or family and staying for a long time, but if you only have a few days and it’s just you or a small group, I think the Sandman is the way to go. You can’t lose either way though, both great options.
Santa Barbara is one of the best places to travel to if you are seeking much needed peace and quiet. I go there all the time to escape the madness of LA and just relax. A great hotel to stay at is the South Coast Inn (www.santa-barbara-hotel.com). So lovely and the best place to call home while on vacation.
To live luxuriously in Santa Barbara would be a total dream. Vacationing there is just scratching the surface of what life could be like to actually live there! I’ve never actually stayed in a luxury rental but is it the same as a SB Vacation Rental? Those are really nice and I had an above and beyond vacation in a one of those. I’ll have to check this out the next time my family and I are planning a trip anywhere. We love going to Santa Barbara-a ton of stuff for all of us to do so it is really nice. I have to say though I am a really big fan of the South Coast Inn (www.goleta-hotel.com). Out of the way and very serene. Loved every minute of it.