Santa Barbara Luxury Vacation Rentals

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals Welcomes Film Festival By Revealing Famous Filming Locations

2010-12-31T16:03:00.000-08:00

The 26th Santa Barbara International Film Festival, which takes place from January 27 to February 6, will bring movie buffs and celebrities to experience a variety of premieres and panels - as well as all that Santa Barbara has to offer.

The Film Festival is a great time to take advantage of vacation rentals in Santa Barbara that offer great value and flexibility to better fit various travel lifestyles, needs and budgets. What many people are realizing is that for less than the cost of a hotel room, they can rent a whole Santa Barbara vacation home while enjoying exceptional amenities during their stay.

“Santa Barbara is a wonderful winter getaway and we look forward to returning in the future,” said Diane W., who recently spent a week in a vacation rental located in downtown Santa Barbara. “It was fun to be here during the film festival - a great event.”

Santa Barbara vacation rental guests are often curious about film locations, so I have put together a visitor’s guide to famous filming locations in and around the Santa Barbara area. From popular films like Sideways to It’s Complicated, there are a lot of Santa Barbara locations that crop up in popular movies and TV shows. Last June, the cast and crew of a new film called No Strings Attached set up shop at All Saints-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church and The Biltmore Four Seasons Resort. Billed as a romantic comedy, the film stars Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher and is scheduled for release on January 21, 2011.

To read more about famous filming locations, visit the Santa Barbara vacation rentals blog at http://blog.sbluxuryrentals.com/

About Santa Barbara Luxury Rentals
Santa Barbara Luxury Rentals is your one stop source for high-end, fully-furnished vacation homes in Santa Barbara including private beach houses, California holiday villas, and large luxurious vacation homes. Our luxury rental properties are ideal for romantic vacations, family gatherings and reunions, or wedding parties and wedding accommodations. We also offer pet-friendly vacation rentals on select properties. Our full-service staff and concierge services are available to assist you with all your Santa Barbara vacation rental needs. We strive to create a memorable vacation experience of the highest quality, giving all our guests the utmost consideration and quality service. To view our properties, visit http://www.sbluxuryrentals.com/

Scouting Film Locations from Your Santa Barbara Vacation Rental

2010-12-17T14:34:00.000-08:00

Santa Barbara vacation rental guests are often curious about film locations, and with good reason. There are a lot of iconic Santa Barbara locations that crop up in movies and TV shows. Read on to find out why Santa Barbara is the setting of choice for so many popular productions and how you can recognize and visit famous filming locations in and around the Santa Barbara area.

A lot of visitors in Santa Barbara vacation rentals feel a strong sense of familiarity or belonging the first time they explore Santa Barbara. We’re not going to discount anyone’s claims of psychic powers or a past life lived on America’s Riviera, but chances are more like that they’ve seen one of the over 200 different movies and TV shows filmed in whole or in part in Santa Barbara over the last 100 years.

Don't leave your Santa Barbara vacation rental in search of locations made famous on the silver screen until you read this full list. You’ve probably seen at least one or more of these popular productions:

2009 It’s Complicated
2006 Pirates of the Caribbean III
2006 There Will Be Blood
2006 Psych
2006 The Bachelor
2006 Top Chef 2, Bravo
2005 Monk
2005 Oprah Winfrey Show
2004 Flight of the Phoenix
2004 Monster-in-Law
2004 Sideways
2003 Hidalgo
2003 Seabiscuit
2003 Sorority Life
2001 The X-files
2000 Bedazzled
1999 Double Jeopardy
1998 Star Trek: Insurrection
1996 The Long Kiss Goodnight
1996 G.I. Jane
1996 Face/Off
1995 Nixon
1994 A Walk in the Clouds
1994 Congo
1994 Young Indy/Hollywood Follies
1993 Pelican Brief
1990 Rocketeer
1984 Scarface
1980 The Postman Always Rings Twice
1978 The Frisco Kid
1967 The Graduate
1964 Batman pilot
1923 The Ten Commandments
1914 The Perils of Pauline

It’s Complicated

The most recent high-profile film to come out of Santa Barbara was last year’s Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin romantic comedy It’s Complicated.

The film’s director Nancy Meyers chose Santa Barbara for a definite reason that any Santa Barbara vacation rental film enthusiast will be able to relate to. In an interview with Santa Barbara Magazine, Meyers said that “Santa Barbara felt right for so many reasons – the natural beauty everywhere you look, the state of mind I feel when I’m there, the calm…It feels as close to the good life as you can get.”

It’s Complicated is a beautiful film that seems to show off our fair city to its finest advantage.

The operative word here is seems. Most of it was shot on a sound stage in Brooklyn in the middle of winter. Only three brief scenes were actually shot in Santa Barbara.

There’s a scene where Jane is jogging through her Montecito neighborhood and her architect friend Adam pulls up in his car. This was actually filmed in her little burg, as you can tell from the unique wooden street signs. If you want to walk in Jane’s Montecito shoes stop by The Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore, which may have been the inspiration for the hotel where Jane and her ex-husband had their aborted rendezvous.

When Jane lies in wait for her therapist at the fictional Santa Barbara Medical Center, she is actually lurking at the Anacapa Street back entrance of El Paseo, an outdoor Spanish-style shopping arcade.

While Santa Barbara is home to a dizzying array of Farmers Markets, the one Jane shops at was actually set designed for her outside the 1920s Spanish-Moorish style Santa Barbara County Courthouse on Anapamu Street.

Sadly, there is no such place as Jane’s luscious and comfy-looking business Village Bakery. The set was built inside Picnic House in Brooklyn. But folks staying in a Santa Barbara vacation rental will be able to find close facsimiles at Jeannine’s or Xanadu (temporarily closed until April, 2011 due to a fire) in Montecito or Renaud’s in downtown Santa Barbara.

Sideways
The wine-tasting buddy picture Sideways was a sensation when it was released in 2004. Filmed primarily in the Santa Barbara-adjacent Santa Ynez Valley, it spawned a whole new appreciation for wines (just not Merlot!) from the area, and a cottage industry grew up around people who wanted to retrace the footsteps of the film’s questionable protagonists.

Santa Barbara vacation rental guest who are fans of this movie often search for “the Sideways Map” which will lead you on a car tour through the movie’s highlights.. Many of the destinations even have a sign bearing the Sideways logo. If you want to travel by bike, the Sideways bike map will help you find the sites.

Different locations in Santa Barbara Proper
Santa Barbara vacation rental guests are often curious about film locations, and with good reason. There are a lot of Santa Barbara locations that crop up in movies that aren’t even set in the area. This is because of the profusion of beautiful features in the area that blend so seamlessly into other locales.

Stearns Wharf is a 19th century landmark, located at the bottom of State Street. It is the oldest operating wharf on the west coast, and the second longest pier on the Pacific coast at just a hair under 2,000 feet. In the 1940s, actor James Cagney and his brothers were part owners of Stearns Wharf. It has appeared in A Date with Judy and My Favorite Martian and the 1966 version of Batman. “Some days you just can’t get rid of a bomb!”

State Street features many familiar landmarks. It has appeared in the movies Cutter’s Way and Steal Big, Steal Little, among countless others.

The Old Town Clock at State and Haley streets was featured in The Pelican Brief.

Santa Barbara County Courthouse on Anacapa Street was also in Steal Big, Steal Little.

Mission Santa Barbara was in Sunset Boulevard and Cruel Intentions 3.

Different locations in the Greater Santa Barbara Area
Guests at our Santa Barbara vacation rental homes know that Santa Barbara is so much more than just the pretty red roofs of downtown. One of the reasons the region is so popular with filmmakers is its almost infinite variety.

Cold Spring Arch Bridge - Steal Big, Steal Little.

Lake Cachuma - The Postman Always Rings Twice

Gainey Vineyard - Seabiscuit and Of Mice & Men.

Downtown Los Olivos - Return to Mayberry.

Paradise Road – Seabiscuit and Star Trek Insurrection.

Gaviota Coast - Spartan.

Gaviota Trestle - Of Mice & Men.

Gaviota Tunnel - The Graduate.

Guadalupe Dunes - The Ten Commandments, Hidalgo, GI Jane, Pirates of the Caribbean III.

Santa Maria Airport - The Rocketeer and The Best Years of Our Lives.

La Purisima Mission – Seabiscuit.

Jalama Road - A Walk in the Clouds.

Surrounding Ranchland - Of Mice & Men.

Faking Santa Barbara
Sometimes a production may be set in Santa Barbara, but for whatever reason they can’t film there. In that case they may use a few stock footage-establishing shots, like the pier and tower seen in the TV series Psych.

In the movie I Love You, Man a wedding scene was supposed to have taken place at the fictional El Encanto Spa & Resort of Montecito. It was actually filmed at a private residence on the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. Sorry, a Santa Barbara vacation rental concierge won’t be able to make you a reservation at El Encanto, but they’ll be able to find you a nice alternative!

Sometimes, scenes are shot with certain geographical liberties taken. In The Graduate, the scene of Benjamin driving south to Santa Barbara shows his car heading north through the Gaviota Tunnel, in the wrong direction. Even the Santa Barbara church he banged on during the wedding was nowhere nearby. It is actually located in La Verne, east of Los Angeles.

Television Loves Santa Barbara
Moviemakers aren’t the only people infatuated with the area. Its glamour beckons on the little screen, too. Countless TV shows have been set in, had special episodes located in or just mentioned Santa Barbara. There was even a nighttime drama in the ‘80s called Santa Barbara.

More recently, our fair city has been featured or mentioned in episodes of Gossip Girl, Entourage, Victorious, Beverly Hills 90210, The L Word, Baywatch, Melrose Place, Privileged, L.A. Law, Zorro and Oceans Away.

Kind of Santa Barbara, but Not Really
Then there are the productions that are located in places that sound and look suspiciously like Santa Barbara, but are never overtly established as such. The television show Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a classic example.

Buffy’s hometown “Sunnydale” is described as being a coastal town, two hours north of Beverly Hills – check. Sunnydale and Santa Barbara are both homes to branch campuses of the University of California. The architecture of Sunnydale looks like Santa Barbara. Both towns abut the Pacific Ocean, and suffered devastating earthquakes between the two world wars. Sunnydale was also described as being the home of the Chumash tribe who were indigenous to Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, and many of the show’s establishing shots were of Santa Barbara.

Most convincing of all is the fact that on several occasions throughout its seven-year run, characters used maps of Sunnydale that were in fact of…Santa Barbara. Now, we want to assure anyone staying in a Santa Barbara vacation rental that there is no such thing as a hellmouth lurking under our utopian city. But you might want to bring a garlic necklace if you plan to wander around a lot after sunset.

Santa Barbara’s 100-Year History in the Movies
2010 marks the 100-year anniversary of a lively and thriving film presence in Santa Barbara. Starting in 1910 the Essanay Film Company made regular visits to Santa Barbara from Chicago in search of better weather and appropriate locations to shoot their wildly popular western genre short films. They were followed in July, 1912 by a permanent western branch of Flying “A” Studios, which was also looking for better weather and relief from the stranglehold of the Edison Trust in the east. They chose Santa Barbara because they could find both urban and rural locations so close at hand.

Flying “A” took a big hit due to the combined effects of World War I, the flu pandemic and the beginning of the Great Depression. But Santa Barbara was already well established as a choice filming location. In 1923, Cecil B. DeMille shot The Ten Commandments on the sandscapes of Guadalupe (also used in Pirates of the Caribbean III), once again launching Santa Barbara back into the movie vanguard.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Coming up Next from Santa Barbara
The entertainment industry is alive and well in Santa Barbara. Last June, the cast and crew of a new film called No Strings Attached set up shop at All Saints-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church and The Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore. Billed as a romantic comedy, the film stars Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher and is scheduled for release on January 21, 2011.

There are a lot of famous filming locations to visit. If you want to go out exploring on your own, SantaBarbara.com offers three different itineraries that will lead you through the area, scoping out locations from some favorite high-profile films. And when you’re done for the day, you’ll have a Santa Barbara vacation rental to return home to, living a life the movie stars envy.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals Tips for Getting In Holiday Mood without Snow (Hint: Try Festive Food and Drinks!)

2010-12-17T13:11:00.001-08:00

For some guests in a Santa Barbara vacation rental, it’s hard to get into the Christmas mood without snow. (Others are deliriously happy not to have to shovel out their cars.) Fortunately, the rich smell of favorite holiday foods and drinks can transport you into a Currier & Ives moment faster and more comfortably than freezing temperatures. Here are some of our favorite options.

December 1-31, 2010 -- Holiday Gingerbread House: Olsen's Danish Village Bakery
Over at Olsen's Danish Village Bakery, Baker Bent Olsen has once again created an unbelievable 8'x11'x10' tall gingerbread house. Made with 250 pounds of gingerbread dough, 150 pounds of powdered sugar, and three gallons of egg whites, this holiday abode has to be seen to be believed! While you’re basking in the rich scents of the Danish-Scandinavian bakery, try one of their famous kringles or buy a loaf of their 100th anniversary whole grain pumpernickel bread at 1529 Mission Drive in Solvang. Olsen’s is open 7:00-6:00 on weekdays and 7:00-7:00 on weekends.
Phone: (805) 688.6314

December 1-31, 2010 -- Ty Lounge Presents: 12 Days of Christmas Cocktails
The master mixologists at Ty Lounge have concocted "Twelve Days of Cocktails," and will be serving up the menu of 12 holiday-inspired specialty cocktails during the month of December. Guests can enjoy a combination of modern creations, such as a white chocolate peppermint martini, as well as traditional wintry favorites such as a hot toddy or eggnog. Ty Lounge is located within The Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara and is open from 12:00 noon to 11:00 pm on Sunday, 4:00 pm to 11:00 pm Monday to Thursday, and from 4:00 pm to 1:00 am on Friday and Saturday. It is located at 1260 Channel Drive in Santa Barbara.
Phone: (805) 565-2261

December 11, 2010 -- Kids Cookie Workshop with Mrs. Claus
From 2:00 to 4:00 pm., The Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara is offering a fun and creative cookie baking and decorating workshop with Mrs. Claus. Children ages 4-12 and their parents can join one of the resort’s talented pastry chefs in the kitchen, where they will participate in an engaging afternoon of supervised cutting and decorating freshly baked holiday sugar cookies with a variety of colorful icings and garnishes. Cost is $15 per child, reservations are required. The hotel is located at 1260 Channel Drive in Santa Barbara.
Phone: 805-565-8291

Once you’ve stuffed yourself with holiday yummies, before you return to put up your feet in your Santa Barbara vacation rental, you’ll want to work off some of those calories with a holiday shopping marathon.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals Guide to Unique Gifts and Shopping for Art Lovers

2010-12-17T12:39:00.000-08:00

If you’re looking for a unique souvenir to bring home from your halcyon Santa Barbara vacation rental, you are in luck. You don’t have to gallery hop (unless you want to). There are many venues in Santa Barbara that bring artists and their masterpieces together with those who want to take them home.

No stay at a Santa Barbara vacation rental is complete without a visit to the Sant a Barbara Arts Colle ctive. The Arts Collective is offering a gift that keeps on giving. Like a wine-of-the-month club (also a great present idea), the SBAC is offering a different print, from a different artist every month for 12 months. They are $50 each and come in a limited edition of 25 prints, so you need to act fast if you want to enjoy art every month.

Every Sunday many Santa Barbara vacation rental guests enjoy an artsy stroll along the free Santa Barbara Arts & Crafts Show. The show happens every Sunday (contingent upon weather) and on some holidays from 10:00 a.m. until dusk. 300 Santa Barbara artists display their own drawings, paintings, graphics, sculpture, crafts and photography in Chase Palm Park. For more information, please call (805) 897-1982.

If you get to your Santa Barbara vacation rental on the first Thursday of the month, downtown Santa Barbara galleries keep their doors open late from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. so the public can enjoy local art in a fun atmosphere. Music, demonstrations and refreshments are also offered, not far from Anacapa Villas. For more information, please call (805) 962-2098.

On Saturdays, Santa Barbara vacation rental guests of all ages will enjoy visiting Art From Scrap at 302 East Cota Street. Art From Scrap holds a family fun workshop every Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for all ages. Children under age five must be accompanied by an adult. The cost is $6. For more information, please call (805) 884-0459.

If you want to turn your Santa Barbara vacation rental into an artist's retreat, you'll need supplies and inspiration. Crimson Holiday, a new local arts and crafts store, celebrated its opening at La Cumbre Plaza with art crafted by 25 Santa Barbara artists. The store has holiday fare plus many perennial pieces. There are plenty of paintings and prints, novelty paintings, three-dimensional art, hats, scarves, handbags, necklaces, earrings, bead weaves, glass and ceramic vases, dishes, plates, tables and chairs, soaps, lotions and scented candles. Children have their own corner with blankets, stuffed animals and doll dresses. Crimson Holiday is open Monday through Friday 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Special extended hours during holidays. Call (805) 682-6666 for more information.

Just down the road from your Santa Barbara vacation rental, the Camino Real ArtWalk in Goleta attracts local and visiting artisans with their handmade arts and crafts, and very often live music. It is located in The Marketplace just 10 miles west of Santa Barbara. Their regular season runs from January through November, with special 2010 holiday dates of November 27 & 28, December 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24.

You can bring your treasures back to your Santa Barbara vacation rental and enjoy them for the rest of your stay. When it’s time to go home again, simply ask the Santa Barbara Luxury Rental concierge to pack and ship them for you so you can bask in the afterglow of your vacation until you return to our lovely, arty community again.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals Top Things to be Thankful For

2010-11-30T11:56:00.000-08:00

When you live in paradise, there is so much to be thankful for. And in the spirit of the holidays, we want to take the opportunity to share some of the things we’re most grateful for in Santa Barbara. We also hope that once you experience all that our fair city has to offer, you’ll be grateful too that you will always have a home-away-from-home when you visit Santa Barbara.

There’s much to be thankful for this time of year as we gather with friends and family for the holidays. We want to take the opportunity to enumerate some of the things we’re most grateful for in Santa Barbara, an extraordinary and unique place that we’re grateful to call home, which we hope you’ll consider your home-away-from-home.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals Reason to be Thankful #1: The Goldilocks climate.
I mean, seriously people, does it get any better than this? The Santa Ynez Mountains, our warm southern California sunshine and coastal breezes ensure a temperate, year-round routine of warmer winters and cooler summers that have earned us the nickname “The American Riviera.” No matter where you’re from, the weather is better at your Santa Barbara vacation rental.

We know that for a growing number of travelers, going home for the holidays means celebrating with loved ones at a sunny and exotic home away from home. While snowbirds have always enjoyed heading south for the winter, more travelers than ever are choosing a Santa Barbara vacation rental to get away and enjoy sun-filled beach vacations during the holiday season.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals Reason to be Thankful #2: Exceptional value.
There are a lot of opportunities to stretch your vacation dollar in Santa Barbara. Vacation rentals in Santa Barbara offer great value and flexibility to better fit various travel lifestyles, needs and budgets. For less than the cost of a hotel room vacationers can rent a whole home while enjoying countless benefits like avoiding the unnecessary expenses of a hotel stay with laundry, internet fees, tips and room service.

Santa Barbara vacation rentals offer a great way to enjoy the winter sun on a budget. At the five-bedroom Vista Riviera, guests can take in views of the ocean and city and enjoy soaking in the private pool or relaxing in the sauna. They can also take advantage of all the amenities of a luxury hotel including pre-arrival grocery stocking, in-room spa treatments and other concierge services.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals Reason to be Thankful #3: Welcoming smiles.
Santa Barbara is, at heart, a small city with fewer than 100,000 residents within the city limits. People know each other and bump into acquaintances and neighbors all the time with warm smiles and happy greetings.

Tourists are just as likely to be greeted like old friends. If you’re staying in a Santa Barbara vacation rental, you’re probably going to be in town long enough to engage in healthy habits like walking to the same café every morning, shopping at a preferred vendor stand in the farmers market, etc. It’s all part of the warm, friendly Santa Barbara culture.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals Reason to be Thankful #4: Mother Nature.
There are very few destinations that offer as much in the way of stunning nature. You can laze on the deck of your Santa Barbara beach rental watching porpoises play or the winter gray whale migration. You can work up a sweat hiking the Campbell Trail and then enjoy a soak in Gaviota Hot Spring. You can even dress in camouflage and take your binoculars to the Andree Clark Bird Refuge.

There are meadows, mountains, creeks, beaches, parks, hiking trails, a 65-acre botanic garden designed by noted landscape architect Beatrix Ferrand…. In short, whatever your inner Smokey the Bear desires, you will find it in Santa Barbara.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals Reason to be Thankful #5: The architecture.
A 1925 earthquake pretty much leveled downtown Santa Barbara, and we have been grateful ever since. The city fathers and mothers took the opportunity to rebuild with stricter structural standards and in relative Spanish/Moorish uniformity, and the result is Santa Barbara’s stunning red-roof district. As you walk through the downtown area you gain a heightened appreciation for the idea of a planned city. Most burgs are a mishmash of wildly divergent architectural qualities and styles, but Santa Barbara’s downtown area almost feels like a movie set, it is so charming and idealistic.

A lot of the residences, including many of the Santa Barbara vacation rentals, in the area also cleave to the California bungalow style (with a few Victorians thrown in) and the result is a charming walk through California history.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals Reason to be Thankful #6: Festivals.
If you, like Frank Costanza on Seinfeld, are in search of a “festivus for the rest of us,” you should book your Santa Barbara vacation rental immediately. Our annual festival calendar boasts something new almost every month: Santa Barbara International Film Festival, Santa Barbara International Orchid Show, Earth Day celebration, Santa Barbara Fair & Expo, Cinco de Mayo festival, Summer Solstice Parade, wine festivals, Fourth of July, French Festival, Greek Festival, Old Spanish Days Fiesta, Santa Barbara Sandcastle Festival, California Lemon Festival, Santa Barbara Harbor & Seafood Festival, New Noise Music Conference & Festival.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals Reason to be Thankful #7: Unexpected outdoor delights.
No matter how much time you spend in your Santa Barbara vacation rental home, there are still many delights to discover. Many people who pass the corner of State and Victoria every day never notice the lovely statue of Sacajawea that is set back from the street. Sacajawea was a Shoshone woman who guided the Lewis & Clark exploration through the western part of the American continent in the earliest years of the 19th century. She was very brave and diplomatic and is credited by many historians as the primary reason for the mission’s success.

Santa Barbara visitors in the early spring are often pleasantly surprised by the gorgeous profusion of flowering trees in the area. Both leaves and blossoms create a stunning, delicious-smelling canopy wherever you turn.

There are many beautiful fountains in town. There are notable examples in the dolphin fountain at Stearns Wharf, the mission fountain and the fountain at La Arcada shopping mall. How many more can you find?

You can tell a city that really loves its artists because they proudly display so much art in public places. There are lovely bronze sculptures tucked away in some unexpected corners like the La Arcada shopping mall and downtown area. As you step from your Santa Barbara vacation rental, keep your eyes open. You never know what treasures you might come across.

And last but not least, I am personally grateful for all the wonderful Santa Barbara vacation rental guests I get to meet year after year. Once you enjoy all that our fair city has to offer, you’ll be grateful that you will always have a second home away from home.

A Santa Barbara Vacation Rental Holiday Celebration

2010-11-30T10:29:00.001-08:00

Santa Barbara is a popular holiday destination. Our mild winter weather (average daytime highs are in the mid-60s, but can shoot as high as 90) and world-class cuisine are two of the many reasons it attracts snowbirds and culinary adventurers. Whole families and groups of friends love to convene at one or more Santa Barbara vacation rentals to gather round a crackling fireplace, enjoy a feast fit for a king and toast the outgoing year.

There are a lot of delicious options for the fun-loving gourmet. I love grocery shopping in vacation destinations, there’s always something new to try, and being on vacation is a great excuse to chuck the calorie-counter. If you want to do your own shopping near your Santa Barbara vacation rental you can go to a tried-and-true grocery store like Vons aka Safeway, Ralphs or Albertsons. If you’re looking for something a little more high-end or out of the ordinary, check out La zy Acres Market. It’s not too far from Le Petit Chateau and Ocean Oasis. There’s also Trader Joe’s or Gelson’s, a southern California favorite. Santa Barbara is home to many gourmet specialty shops, too.

If you’d rather not spend time searching in vain for fresh fennel you can visit the Santa Barbara Luxury Rental concierge site before your visit and fill out a shopping list. Your groceries will be waiting for you when you arrive at your Santa Barbara vacation rental. Just don’t forget your favorite recipes at home. We can’t guarantee that one of our staff members will have a copy of your great-grandma’s secret noodle stuffing recipe (although many of them could whip up a recipe should you need one).

There are many more dining options for the I-refuse-to-cook-until-I-have-a-migraine-this-holiday Santa Barbara vacation rental visitors. One of our concierges would be happy to help you find the perfect personal chef or caterer to make a memorable meal for you.

Not so much a gourmet, as a gourmand? There are a ton of delicious options. If you’re a homebody or if someone in your party cones down with a bug (like I did one infamous Thanksgiving), you can order your holiday feast in to your Santa Barbara vacation rental from a variety of restaurants and grocery stores.

Want to dive into a plate of peeled shrimp instead of turkey? There are dozens of fine restaurants in Santa Barbara that will gladly cater to your culinary whims. Many of them are on or around State Street, particularly handy if you’re staying at a Santa Barbara vacation rental like Anacapa Villas, one block away.

If no one in your group wants to be the designated driver, there is a list of restaurants we love that are near some of our Santa Barbara vacation rental properties. Brophy Brothers (in photo) is close to Juniper Cottage, Wine Cask is near Anacapa Villas. Your Santa Barbara Luxury Rental concierge can give you more precise recommendations based on your preferences.

If you do walk to dinner from your Santa Barbara vacation rental, don’t forget a light jacket and umbrella. We can’t promise it won’t sprinkle, but we can promise you won’t need chains or snow tires.

Where and How to Get into the Holiday Mood in a Santa Barbara Vacation Rental without (and Sometimes with) Snow

2010-11-29T15:20:00.000-08:00

A Santa Barbara vacation rental is one of the most enchanting places to arrange a stress-free holiday, especially if you let our concierge services elves work their magic. True, we don’t have much snow (the hills to the east get an occasional dusting, but it’s barely visible from downtown). Visitors are often pleasantly surprised at how charming twinkle lights look when they’re artfully draped through swishy-sounding palm fronds, and few folks ever forget the sight of the parade of Christmas boat lights. No matter what your interests, there are many enchanting activities for folks of all ages and interests.

November 21-December 31, 2010 -- Winterfest Celebration in Solvang
The quaint town of Solvang hosts a month of events, pageantry, and millions of lights in their traditional Danish Christmas Village. Call for information.
Phone: (805) 688-6144

November 28-December 19, 2010 -- Trinity Episcopal Church Advent Organ Series
The church is offering Sunday concerts for the four weeks of Advent from 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Phone: (805) 965-7419

December 1, 4, 11, 2010 -- 16th Annual La Arcada Court Christmas Walk
Listen to strolling carolers and live, local music. Eat fresh popped popcorn and lots of holiday goodies. Get your picture taken with Santa on Dec. 1st from 5:00-7:00 p.m. and December 4th and 11th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Bring the whole family for holiday fun and merriment.
Phone: (805) 966-6634

December 3, 2010 -- 58th Annual Holiday Parade - Miracle on State Street

Beginning at 6:30 p.m., spectators line downtown Santa Barbara to cheer high-stepping marching bands, fabulous holiday floats, spectacular performance groups, local personalities, and of course, Santa Clause. The holiday prince and fairy officially light up the night with the lighting of the large Christmas tree at State & Victoria streets.
Phone: (805) 962-2098 ext. 23

December 4, 2010 -- Rudolph ballet
Rudolph is the story of a young reindeer with a blinking red nose. This children’s ballet is performed by the students of Gustafson Dance, featuring dancers from the State Street Ballet Young Dancers, the apprentice company to State Street Ballet. It is taking place at the Lobero Theatre at 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Phone: (805) 963-0761

December 5, 2010 -- Brinkerhoff Holiday Block Party
Come celebrate holiday cheer in traditional Victorian fashion at this "block party" in the historic Landmark District of Brinkerhoff Avenue between Cota and Haley streets 1:00-4:00 p.m. Tour Victorian homes and get an inside view of what Santa Barbara was like 150 years ago.
Phone: (805) 966-3979

December 5, 2010 -- Snow Leopard Festival and Sledding at the Zoo
It's a winter wonderland beneath palm trees overlooking the Pacific Ocean at the Sledding at the Zoo & Snow Leopard Festival. More than 75 tons of snow are imported to create sledding runs and a children's play area, and are placed in exhibits for snow leopards, elephants, gorillas, lions, otters and other animals - 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 500 Niños Drive.
Phone: (805) 962-5339

December 9, 2010 -- A Very Mariachi Divas Christmas Show
Visit the Chumash Casino Resort to see a very special Christmas show of the Mariachi Divas, a unique cultural ensemble that have created an exciting, original style of music called "ranchengue," a fusion of ranchera and meringue.
Phone: (800) 585-3737

December 10, 2010 -- Art From Scrap Holiday Open House and Celebration
Join us for an evening of merriment and ornament making. Enjoy mulled wine and appetizers. Shop at our Reuse Store for holiday gifts. Take a last look at the Retro Muse exhibition and meet the artists at Art From Scrap 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Phone: (805) 884-0459

December 10-12, 2010 -- Santa Barbara High School A Capella Choir and Madrigals Holiday Concerts
The Santa Barbara High School Madrigals and A Capella Choir, will be performing beautiful, traditional Christmas/holiday music from around the world daily at 7:00 p.m. at Saint Anthony's Chapel on the grounds of San Roque School
Phone: (805) 868-9101

December 10-23, 2010 -- Trolley of Lights Tour
A 90-minute trip in a trolley around Santa Barbara shows off the best of the area’s holiday lights. Tours leave from Wheel Fun Rentals at 22 State Street, nightly at 6:30 pm. Reservations are required.
Phone: (805) 965-0353

December 11-12, 2010 -- Miracle on 34th Street, the Musical
Based on the 1947 Academy Award winning film, now re-imagined as a musical, this delightful, family-friendly production restores our belief in the spirit of the season and features traditional holiday songs we all know and love at the Granada Theatre.
Phone: (805) 899-2222

December 12, 2010 -- Annual Parade of Lights

Beginning at 3:00 p.m. with a Santa's village event at the City Pier, then a visit from Santa with holiday music and 10 tons of snow for kids to play in. Judges, along with thousands of spectators, will cheer on 30-50 boats decorated to the theme of “Silver Bells & Winter Swells.” A fireworks display will follow the boat parade. Phone: (805) 963-0611.

December 12, 2010 -- Una Noche de las Posadas
Las Posadas (The Inns) is the time-honored reenactment of Joseph and Mary's search for shelter in Bethlehem. Join in this rich cultural tradition, experiencing first-hand the way in which Santa Barbara's earliest Spanish and Mexican residents celebrated Christmas with song and food. Takes place at El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park & Casa de la Guerra at 7:00 p.m.
Phone: (805) 965-0093

December 12-13, 2010 -- The Nutcracker at the Arlington

Santa Barbara Festival Ballet brings you the Nutcracker, supported by a live, full symphony orchestra. The performances feature all the surprises of the traditional Nutcracker with giant mice doing battle with toy soldiers, dancing snowflakes and waltzing flowers.
Phone: (805) 963-4408

December 17, 2010 -- Community Christmas Carol Sing-along & Wassail Party
Celebrate the season at Trinity Episcopal Church by joining voices in singing favorites and new carols interspersed with the poetry of Diane Wyman at the Community Christmas Carol sing-along & Wassail Party. A holiday favorite for twenty-seven years. 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Phone: (805) 965-7419

December 18, 2010 -- All Wrapped Up: The Art of Giving (Holiday Gift Workshop)
This one-day workshop at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. offers a unique art experience for children to gain inspiration from three original works of art in the museum's collection and create hand-made cards, prints, ornaments, and more. Students will draw, paint, print, collage and sculpt artful gifts to share with friends and family.
Phone: (805) 884-6441

December 18, 2010 -- California Christmas Bird Counts, Santa Barbara County
Birders all over the country are tromping into the wilds to help with the annual National Audubon and Cornell Lab of Ornithology Christmas bird count. Participants are assigned to teams based on their bird identification skill level and endurance. Compilers and participants can sign up to be an Audubon California Volunteer.
Phone: Rob Denholtz at (805) 684-4060

December 18-19, 2010 -- The Christmas Revels: In Celebration of the Winter Solstice

Santa Barbara Revels annual theatrical holiday production celebrates the Winter Solstice, featuring the music, dance, stories and traditions of Victorian England. At the Lobero Theatre - Saturday 3:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m., Sunday 3:00 p.m.
Phone: (805) 963-0761

December 18-19, 2010 -- West Coast Ballet Presents “Nutcracker”
This eternal Christmas story will come to life complete with falling snow, dancing sweets, magical dolls, waltzing flowers, fighting mice and, of course, the Sugar Plum Fairy. The intimate setting of the Center Stage Theater provides the perfect opportunity to fully appreciate the lavish costumes and special effects for which West Coast Ballet is known, making this production a "Gem" of a Nutcracker.
Phone: (805) 963-0408

December 18-19, 2010 -- La Pastorela
La Pastorela is Santa Barbara's oldest and most beautiful Christmas tradition. Dramatizing the epic battle between good and evil, the play invokes elements of spectacle, comedy and fantasy. This version of the Pastorela is conducted in Spanish.
Phone: (805) 965-0093

December 19, 2010 -- The Nutcracker - State St. Ballet
Share the holiday magic of adventure, fantasy, romance, and the triumph of good over evil. Set to music by Tchaikovsky and performed in the opulent setting of The Granada, the Nutcracker’s story enchants as never before. Join us for this traditional holiday favorite featuring State Street Ballet with the students of Gustafson Dance.
Phone: (805) 899-2222

December 31, 2010 -- New Year's Pops Concert - Santa Barbara Symphony
Richard Kaufman, Pop's Concert Conductor Extraordinaire, returns to Santa Barbara to conduct the Santa Barbara Symphony's New Year's Eve Pops Concert, "Night on the Red Carpet." It's the movies, it's the music, it's the greatest movie music ever on The Granada stage.
Phone: (805) 899-2222

There are many, many other exciting holiday events occurring in the area. What are some of your favorites? Don’t see anything here tempting enough to lure you out of your Santa Barbara vacation rental? Check back soon. Next month we’ll be covering mouthwatering holiday food and drink events.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals Reveals Top Things to be Thankful For in 2010

2010-11-29T15:16:00.000-08:00

As 2010 draws to a close, many people will be reflecting on the past year and its challenges and triumphs. For many travelers, this may include gratitude for lost luggage found, for GPS technology on road trips, or free Wi-Fi at a destination. As travelers look ahead to 2011 and a slowly rebounding economy, many travelers are truly grateful that they can afford to travel at all.

There are a lot of opportunities for travelers to stretch their vacation dollar in Santa Barbara. As the economy is recovering, vacationers continue to take advantage of vacation rentals in Santa Barbara that offer great value and flexibility to better fit various travel lifestyles, needs and budgets.

For less than the cost of a hotel room, vacationers can rent a whole Santa Barbara vacation home while enjoying countless benefits – like avoiding the unnecessary expenses of a hotel stay like laundry, internet fees, tips, and room service.

In addition to exceptional value, Santa Barbara vacation rental guests have much to be thankful for including temperate climate year-round, as well as the area’s stunning nature and architecture plus world-class events and festivals that are held locally.

My family and I feel so privileged to live in such an extraordinary and unique destination, and in the spirit of the holidays, we wanted to take the opportunity to share some of the things we’re most grateful for in Santa Barbara. We also hope that once travelers experience all that our fair city has to offer, they’ll be grateful too that they will always have a second home away from home when they visit Santa Barbara.

To read more about the top things to be thankful for, visit the Santa Barbara vacation rentals blog at http://blog.sbluxuryrentals.com/

About Santa Barbara Luxury Rentals
 Santa Barbara Luxury Rentals is your one stop source for high-end, fully-furnished vacation homes in Santa Barbara including private beach houses, California holiday villas, and large luxurious vacation homes. Our luxury rental properties are ideal for romantic vacations, family gatherings and reunions, or wedding parties and wedding accommodations. We also offer pet-friendly vacation rentals on select properties. Our full-service staff and concierge services are available to assist you with all your Santa Barbara vacation rental needs. We strive to create a memorable vacation experience of the highest quality, giving all our guests the utmost consideration and quality service. To view our properties, visit http://www.sbluxuryrentals.com/

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals Top Reasons to Explore Local Burgeoning Music Scene

2010-10-29T18:15:00.000-07:00

For Santa Barbara vacation rental guests, whether they’re passionate about jazz, international, popular or classical music, it’s always music to their ears when they enjoy the great flexibility and countless amenities of their vacation rental for a fraction of the cost of traditional hotel accommodations. And for music lovers, here’s our top reasons to experience Santa Barbara’s world-class music scene just steps away from your luxurious vacation home.

Music lovers return to their Santa Barbara vacation rentals year after year because music of all kinds is deeply embedded in the local culture. And no matter what your musical tastes are, there’s a good chance the Santa Barbara music scene can cater to them.

It takes a very cosmopolitan community to equally support such divergent endeavors as the Music Academy of the West http://www.musicacademy.org/ which supports and molds classically talented youths, and the New Noise Music Conference & Festival http://newnoisesb.com/ that introduces and encourages up and coming popular music talents and has been deemed the West Coast’s answer to Austin’s south by southwest.

Additionally, as Santa Barbara is located in between Los Angeles and San Francisco, many artists who are poised for greatness make the Santa Barbara music scene one of their stops before heading for the bright lights of the big city. Both locals and Santa Barbara vacation rental guests alike enjoy supporting the burgeoning music scene. In fact, many people flock from all over the country to book a Santa Barbara vacation rental so that they can catch their favorite artist or group in performance at an intimate local venue.

Here are our top reasons for exploring the local music scene, designed to help music lovers get the most out of their Santa Barbara vacation rental stay.

Reason #1 to Enjoy Santa Barbara’s Burgeoning Music Scene: Santa Barbara natives are all over the Top-40 charts.

Gone but not forgotten are the hometown artists who have hit the big time. Toad the Wet Sprocket, Katy Perry and Hawaiian surfing singer and eco-friendly pop artist Jack Johnson are some of the local kids who have made good.

For those who want to catch the next big thing, the local paper the Santa Barbara Independent (http://www.independent.com/bands/) regularly asks readers to name their favorite local bands, including everything from 2 Faced to Zach Madden in 31 different genres from acoustic to world.

Reason #2 to Enjoy Santa Barbara’s Burgeoning Music Scene: There’s something for everyone.

In addition to sporting gorgeous Santa Barbara vacation rentals, Santa Barbara is home to dozens of clubs offering jazz, pop, rock, house, hip-hop, etc. There’s definitely something for everyone close to your Santa Barbara vacation rental. Remember, we’re a college town, and the kids in Goleta have a low boredom threshold, so they all flock to State Street on the weekend.

If you’re looking for a young and hip scene with fresh performers, you might want to check out Live Culture (http://liveculturelounge.synthasite.com/) in the Paseo Nuevo mall. If you’re seeking a more laid-back and grown up atmosphere, try SOhO www.sohosb.com. If jazz is your raison d’être, keep an eye out for the UCSB Arts and Lectures Jazz Series (https://artsandlectures.sa.ucsb.edu/), which has featured gifted luminaries like Wynton Marsalis and Ornette Coleman.

Check the local entertainment listings or ask your Santa Barbara vacation rental concierge to help you find the perfect venue for you.

Reason #3 to Enjoy Santa Barbara’s Burgeoning Music Scene: We are a world-class classical music destination.

The Santa Barbara music scene has a reputation as being southern California’s premier locale to find stellar classical talent. No matter whether your senses soar to the sounds of Verdi or Vivaldi, there are many venues to choose from and many Santa Barbara vacation rentals close by.

The Community Arts Music Association http://www.camasb.org/ offers two series of classical concerts, the International Series at the Granada Theatre and the Masterseries at the Lobero. The Lobero http://www.lobero.com/ also has a wide variety of entertainment with music concerts and jazz.

The Music Academy of the West http://www.musicacademy.org/ is an intensive training workshop for classical artists. They offer student concerts throughout the summer in opera, orchestra and chamber music.

Camerata Pacifica www.camer atapacifica.org is a chamber music group that performs monthly concerts of old favorites and new pieces.

The Santa Barbara Opera www.operasb.com has three performances a year, and does music education for children in the community.

The Santa Barbara Choral Society www.sbchoral.org offers several outstanding concerts a year and some overseas performances.

The Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra www.sbco.org offers five concerts during the season with world-class soloists on different instruments.

The Granada Theater is the home of The Santa Barbara Symphony www.thesymphony.org and its many diverse concerts, behind-the-scenes talks and performances. The Santa Barbara Youth Symphony also offers concerts at The Lobero.

Reason #4 to Enjoy Santa Barbara’s Burgeoning Music Scene: All of the up and coming popular artists stop here.

The crème de la crème always make sure a stop at the Santa Barbara music scene is on their tour schedule. Most established hot acts can be caught at the Santa Barbara Bowl http://www.sbbowl.com/. Those on the upswing can often be found perfecting their gigs at one of the many clubs downtown.

Reason #5 to Enjoy Santa Barbara’s Burgeoning Music Scene: We have a wide variety of international cultural music.

The Santa Barbara Bowl, the Granada www.granadasb.org and Arlington http://www.thearlingtontheatre.com/ offer cultural performances and concerts. But the best places to catch these acts are the smaller clubs. You can find anything from Taiko drumming to Tango music to while away your evening hours. If you get a Santa Barbara vacation rental near downtown, you can enjoy clubbing without having to worry about needing a car to get back to your Santa Barbara vacation rental.

UCSB http://www.music.ucsb.edu/ also offers a lot of performances (many of them free) of both local and visiting talent with an international bent.

Reason #6 to Enjoy Santa Barbara’s Burgeoning Music Scene: You can find the very best in musical theater here.

The Arlington Theater offers traveling musicals, opera simulcasts, spoken word entertainment, and some concerts. There are also smaller local dinner theaters that offer fun and inventive theater.

There is so much to see and listen to in Santa Barbara. The possibilities are endless. No one visit can possibly cover all of the musical outlets, so it is imperative that you plan ahead. As soon as you’ve booked your Santa Barbara vacation rental, check out a local events calendar like this one http://www.santabarbaraca.com/things-to-do/calendar-of-events/music/ to start planning your musical journey. Whether you’re in town to hear Puccini, The Black Crowes or a Brazilian dance band, you’ll find something to wow you, and lure you back for more.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals Guide to Local Live Music Venues

2010-10-21T16:59:00.000-07:00

Guests who book a Santa Barbara vacation rental, are often pleasantly surprised to learn that some of the best bands and performers from across the street and across the globe regularly perform in Santa Barbara.

Santa Barbara is home to countless clubs, theaters and other places for music appreciators of all stripes to explore. Regardless of where your Santa Barbara vacation rental is located, you'll have access to great live music with world-class musical venues right nearby. Here are some of our favorites.

If you love fine food and music, then SOhO is the place to be. Gourmet food and a New York ambiance set this jazz club apart from the competition.

The walls in the intimate Velvet Jones are all black and white images of artists. It’s generally viewed as one of the best up-close-and-personal music venues in Santa Barbara. This place is so classic they even have a Pacman machine upstairs.

Whiskey Richards is a sexy-grungy, cozy club with some of the best drink-mixers in southern California. Pool tables and dart boards make it especially appealing to the post-college but not-quite-yuppies crowd.

A favorite among locals, funky Muddy Waters is known for an indie vibe, comfy couches and stellar talent roster. Cash only, and the nearest ATM is a block away.

If your tastes run a little more to the conventional, then the 2,000+ seat Arlington Theatre must be at the top of your list of music places to check out. Featuring everything from opera simulcasts to The Black Crowes live and in person, the Arlington offers a constant variety of fresh and traditional spoken and sung entertainment.

Nothing compares to an evening at the Santa Barbara Bowl where you can sit back sway to the tunes of everyone from Bob Dylan to Alicia Keyes. Concerts happen rain or shine and poking your neighbor with an umbrella is discouraged so dress appropriately for your al fresco music event.

Recently reopened after a multi-year, $60 million renovation, The Granada Theatre is an elegant space where you’re likely to find Disney’s Beauty and the Beast hanging out with Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, Taiko drum artists rubbing shoulders with ballerinas, and cellists who are perplexed by Mummenschanz.

Your stay in a Santa Barbara vacation rental won’t be complete until you’ve experienced the Santa Barbara music scene. Book your trip now, before all the other music lovers get the best deals.

(Mention The New Noise Santa Barbara Music Conference & Festival November 4th-6th, 2010 for a deep discount on your Santa Barbara vacation rental.)

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals Announces 20% Discount for New Noise Music Conference Attendees

2010-10-18T22:52:00.000-07:00

SANTA BARBARA, CA – Both music industry professionals and music lovers alike from all over the country will be attending the 2nd Annual New Noise Music Conference and Festival on November 4-6. Attendees will want to reserve their Santa Barbara accommodations in advance to ensure availability, especially if they want to book a Santa Barbara vacation rental in their preferred location.

Local Santa Barbara Luxury Rentals is offering a 20% discount on a variety of high-end vacation rentals in Santa Barbara for visitors who mention “New Noise” when booking.

Last year’s New Noise festival drew guests to our Santa Barbara vacation rentals who were excited about the educational focus of the conference as well as the world-class lineup of both local and international artists. Having moderated a panel at last year’s New Noise conference and a big music fan myself, I’m happy to help spread the word about this amazing cause, as well as welcome music lovers to Santa Barbara’s burgeoning music scene.

This year’s conference is part of the newly established New Noise Music Foundation, a non-profit whose primary goal is to advance the artistic growth of local musicians and increase the understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of music and its ability to enrich the County of Santa Barbara.

According to New Noise Executive Director, Jeff Theimer, who co-founded the festival as the West Coast's answer to Austin's South By Southwest, “New Noise 2010 will build on the great success of our inaugural event and deliver an even more memorable weekend of music.”

New Noise Santa Barbara will take place on November 4-6 at the Canary Hotel and will feature performances by Massive Attack, Thievery Corporation, and Fitz & The Tantrums and more. For the full lineup and panel schedule, visit www.newnoisesb.com.

For all your Santa Barbara Luxury Rentals needs for New Noise 2010 or when planning the perfect Santa Barbara holiday, give us a call at 805-715-3900!

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals Welcomes Music Lovers to New Noise 2010

2010-10-12T09:26:00.000-07:00

Savvy Santa Barbara travelers who love music should book their Santa Barbara vacation rental now for the second annual New Noise Santa Barbara Music Conference & Festival taking place November 4th-6th, 2010. There will be some great deals on Santa Barbara hotels and accommodations - including a 20% off discount on Santa Barbara vacation rentals when you mention New Noise when booking.

I was at last year’s festival and it was a blast! But you don’t have to believe me, the reviews for last year’s festival made the organizers blush with pride, and this year’s celebration promises to be even better. MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!!

New Noise is THE place is discover Santa Barbara's amazing music scene. The recording industry will be there in force. New Noise allows musicians and music appreciators alike to listen, learn and connect with some of the music industry's best and brightest.

The word is getting out. Music enthusiasts all over the area are already buying tickets, typing blog posts and passing the info along to their friends. Even if you can’t make it to Santa Barbara on November 4th-6th, if you know some music lovers tell them that this festival is a can’t miss. To make it even easier, we have some Santa Barbara vacation rental deals. You just have to ask for the New Noise rate when booking. Hurry, because you don’t want some other music lover to snag the gorgeous Santa Barbara vacation rental you had your eye on.

This year’s performers will include Massive Attack, Thievery Corporation, Fitz & the Tantrums, Saint Motel, Voxhaul Broadcast, Nico Vega and many more local and international bands. You may not have heard of these bands yet, but believe me, you will. Get your street cred early, you can say you heard them before the mainstream discovered them and they sold out.

Even if you’re tone deaf, the New Noise festival has some really cool panels. Co-sponsored by the non-profit Council on Alcoholism & Drug Abuse (CADA), New Noise will kick off on Thursday, November 4th, with An Evening with Dr. Drew ("Celebrity Rehab"/"Loveline"), and will feature two days of compelling panels covering all facets of the industry at Santa Barbara's Canary Hotel. Speakers will include Kevin Lyman (Founder, Warped Tour); Ian Rogers (CEO, Topspin Media) and Bob Becker (Owner, Fearless Records), who will share their thoughts on the current state of sound on panels ranging from the business of songwriting (“Hey, I wrote that!”) to how artists, entrepreneurs and brands can use digital marketing to extend and cement their relationships with fans.

This year the conference is part of the newly established New Noise Music Foundation, a non-profit that focuses its efforts on local musician assistance, music education, professional development, live performances and the annual New Noise Santa Barbara Music Conference & Festival. The foundation's primary goal is to advance the artistic growth of local musicians and increase the understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of music and its ability to enrich the county of Santa Barbara. By becoming a non-profit, New Noise Santa Barbara is able focus on music education and promote some of the cutting-edge tools artists have at their disposal to get their music heard. The foundation's board of directors includes attorney Tim Boris, who represents bands and music labels; journalist Matt Kettmann, senior editor at The Santa Barbara Independent; local businessmen and Santa Barbara Arts Collaborative/Notes For Notes Board President, Rod Hare and Scott Brittingham of the Brittingham Foundation.

This project is funded in part by the Community Events & Festivals Grant Program using funds provided by the City of Santa Barbara in partnership with the Santa Barbara County Arts Commission. Many Santa Barbara vacation rental homes are offering reduced rates for this special event. For more information, please visit NewNoiseSB.com.

Trust me, you’ll want to book your Santa Barbara vacation rental early on this one. Your ears will thank you.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals Reveals Biggest Mistakes Travelers Should Avoid

2010-09-30T16:02:00.000-07:00

From succumbing to tourist traps to over packing, find out what many travelers mistakenly regret doing when they come to Santa Barbara – and how you can avoid these common blunders. Before leaving for your Santa Barbara vacation rental, check out the top six mistakes to avoid and you’ll have fewer regrets and enjoy your trip much more.

Depending on your interests, you could spend some or all of your time in Santa Barbara on the water, shore or inland doing anything from learning to sail, shopping and eating, hiking stunning vistas, to crushing wine grapes with your feet. Unfortunately, a lack of planning can often lead to wasted time, money, and opportunities.

So before you check into your Santa Barbara vacation rental property, review our tips below. Avoiding these common blunders that travelers make can help you make the most of your vacation.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals Biggest Mistake to Avoid #1: Over packing when you can travel light.
We can’t say this often enough, check the Santa Barbara weather forecast before you start packing. Our climate is thought by many to be ideal -- temperate and mild. But while some visitors will feel comfortable in shorts and a t-shirt, others will prefer long pants and a sweater. Your best bet is to layer. Bring a handful of neutral pieces that you can mix and match. If you do need to add something, there are plenty of places to shop.

Many Santa Barbara vacation rental properties offer free amenities to those traveling with young ones – including portable playpens and high chairs. Some even feature a variety of outdoor supplies including beach gear and sports equipment. Let your concierge or rental agent know ahead of time, what you’ll need. Knowing you don’t have to haul everything from home will help you travel lighter.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals Biggest Mistake to Avoid #2: Succumbing to tourist traps.
You will never catch a New Yorker in Times Square on New Year’s Eve, nor will you ever find an Angeleno having their picture taken outside of Grauman’s Chinese Theater.

Likewise there are touristy places in Santa Barbara that the locals avoid. Go there if you like. They can be fun. But if you want to see the real Santa Barbara, the places that only the natives know about and patronize, ask your Santa Barbara vacation rental concierge to help you. He or she will point you toward the best food for the fairest prices, the freshest fish, the most original art, the latest in regional cuisine. Santa Barbara vacation rental concierges are worth their weight in gold. They’ve got the inside scoop – from the best happy hours in town to unique ways to enjoy the local art scene – and are ready and waiting to craft a perfect personalized Santa Barbara vacation for you.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals Biggest Mistake to Avoid #3: Not doing your research.
There’s nothing worse than coming home from vacation and having someone ask, “But of course you did/saw the XYZ.” What? No one told you! You would love to have done/seen that. If only you’d known about it ahead of time.

There are many special things that are unique to the Santa Barbara area – and your Santa Barbara vacation rental concierge will be happy to point you to a local area guide with insider travel tips.

Before you leave for your Santa Barbara vacation rental, you will also want to know what’s available and if it’s seasonal. If you want to watch the baby gray whales migrate north in the summer, you’ll be disappointed (they start heading north in February). Make it a priority to plan at least two hours of serious online destination research (those piano-playing cats on YouTube will still be there when you get home).

Some good sites to get started are Santa Barbara vacation rental sites like www.santa-barbara-vacation-rental.com, the Santa Barbara city web site at SantaBarbaraCA.gov, the Santa Barbara Convention and Visitors Bureau at SantaBarbaraCA.com and finally the Santa Barbara Visitors Guide at SantaBarbara.com.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals Biggest Mistake to Avoid #4: Missing out on local events and unique community offerings.
Sometimes feeling footloose and fancy-free is part of being on vacation in a Santa Barbara vacation rental. But if you’re a fromage-phile, you don’t want to arrive at your destination and discover that you just missed the international cheese festival.

Always check a couple of different community calendars to discover what special (or regular) events are scheduled. If you love the arts, check an arts calendar. If you’re bringing the kids, check out a kid-oriented calendar. If you're looking for the latest in family friendly goings-on check out Santa Barbara Family's Calendar of Events or Santa Barbara Parent.

All three of the official city sites mentioned above in Tip #3 also have good event calendars.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals Biggest Mistake to Avoid #5: Getting Caught Without a “Plan B.”
As the Yiddish proverb says, “Man plans, God laughs.” Not everything always goes according to schedule. An al fresco market might get rained out, or a concert might have sold all their tickets.

If you’re spending the day away from your Santa Barbara vacation rental, make sure you have a list of alternate activities. If the Santa Barbara Mission is closed for repairs, then maybe the family historian might enjoy poking around an old cemetery or the Santa Barbara Historical Museum. If the children’s puppet show has been rescheduled, check out Kids World, the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History or know the location of the movie theater nearest to your Santa Barbara vacation rental and if they’re showing any kid-friendly films.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals Biggest Mistake to Avoid Tip #6: Missing spectacular sunsets.
Santa Barbara has spectacular sunsets, but bear in mind that because of our funky geography, a lot of our beaches face south. One of the best places to watch the sun go down is Butterfly Beach. On the other hand, you may prefer the private deck of your Santa Barbara vacation rental.

Before you check into your Santa Barbara vacation rental property, you can do a little prep work to avoid common blunders that travelers make. A little planning can go a long way in helping you create and enjoy a memorable vacation. Anything is possible in Santa Barbara. Welcome!

Santa Barbara Vacation Rental Guests Use FlipKey.com to Spend Less and Get More

2010-09-28T22:35:00.000-07:00

Consumers use trusted vacation rental service FlipKey.com to research detailed property listings and check out candid reviews to help ensure that their Santa Barbara vacation rental experience meets and surpasses their expectations.

The increasing popularity of Santa Barbara vacation rentals has led to an abundance of online resources. Nowadays, a traveler’s best bet is to do due diligence and compare rates, amenities, reputations, views, and conditions on a site like FlipKey.com before entering into a rental agreement, especially when reserving a property sight unseen.

There are a lot of ways to check up on a prospective property rental company, including visiting the Better Business Bureau. However, a trusted vacation rental site such as FlipKey.com can provide additional resources such as verified user reviews to ensure consumers find the ideal vacation rental home.

FlipKey’s inventory of Santa Barbara vacation rental properties, extensive verification processes, and easy-to-use site make it simple and safe to find the perfect Santa Barbara vacation rental home, like the Le Petit Chateau (pictured here). Most of our Santa Barbara vacation rental guests are blown away by the value and amenities they get for their money and we’re thrilled to have the user comments and outstanding consumer ratings on FlipKey.com to reflect that.

On FlipKey.com, travelers can find comments that discuss everything from a vacation rental’s beauty, cleanliness, amenities, and views to its access to different Santa Barbara landmarks and the staff’s attention to service.

In a review of the Santa Barbara vacation rental property Le Petit Chateau (pictured here), a guest from Summit, NJ., states: “The team at Santa Barbara Luxury Rentals was extremely thoughtful in helping me select the right property and very responsive to all of my questions. The property itself was lovely - it lived up to the nice pictures on the website. Everything was in excellent condition, and all details had been considered for an ideal stay.”

About Santa Barbara Luxury Rentals 
Santa Barbara Luxury Rentals is your one stop source for high-end, fully-furnished vacation homes in Santa Barbara including private beach houses, California holiday villas, and large luxurious vacation homes. Our luxury rental properties are ideal for romantic vacations, family gatherings and reunions, or wedding parties and wedding accommodations. We also offer pet-friendly vacation rentals on select properties. Our full-service staff and concierge services are available to assist you with all your Santa Barbara vacation rental needs. We strive to create a memorable vacation experience of the highest quality, giving all our guests the utmost consideration and quality service. To view our properties, visit http://www.sbluxuryrentals.com/.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rental Guests Book with Confidence Using FlipKey.com

2010-09-16T16:53:00.000-07:00

When you’re planning your vacation in Santa Barbara, you'll want to know ahead of time that you are getting a Santa Barbara vacation rental experience that will meet and surpass your expectations. There are a lot of ways to check up on a prospective property rental company, but if you want Santa Barbara vacation rental peer reviews, one of the best places to go is FlipKey.com.

According to their web site, FlipKey is a leading vacation rental online resource featuring the world’s largest collection of vacation rental guest reviews of more than 100,000 properties. FlipKey’s inventory of Santa Barbara vacation rental properties, extensive verification processes, and easy-to-use site make it simple and safe to find the perfect Santa Barbara vacation rental. Travelers can review property details including photos, rates and guest reviews to identify the best rental property for their next Santa Barbara vacation.

It is easy to use FlipKey. You can either contact us through FlipKey.com or our Santa Barbara Luxury Rentals site directly to inquire about Santa Barbara vacation rental properties, or any other questions you might have.

Santa Barbara Luxury Rentals is a top-rated Santa Barbara vacation rental company with outstanding consumer ratings on FlipKey. We are proud to have so many four and five-star reviews of our luxury properties. The renters’ comments praise everything from the vacation homes’ beauty, cleanliness, amenities, views and access to different Santa Barbara landmarks to the staff’s friendliness and helpfulness, and our world-class dedication to service.

We love reading five-star FlipKey comments like this one: “The team at Santa Barbara Luxury Rentals was extremely thoughtful in helping me select the right property and very responsive to all of my questions. The property itself was lovely - it lived up to the nice pictures on the website. Everything was in excellent condition, and all details had been considered for an ideal stay.”

Most of our renters are blown away by the value they get for their money and vow to return to a Santa Barbara vacation rental again and again. Our concierge service ensures that your vacation is as smooth as glass. We will do everything in our power to make your Santa Barbara vacation rental the best trip of your life. And our user comments reflect that.

We are proud to be partners with FlipKey.com, an organization that has won so many travel-industry awards, and are happy to bear their widget on our Santa Barbara vacation rentals web site. You can also give us a call at 805-715-3900. We'd be delighted to assist you!

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals Help You Experience the Waterfront

2010-09-16T16:40:00.000-07:00

“We were much too busy looking at the ocean and the sky,
And what did we see? We saw the sea.” – Irving Berlin

Many people who book a Santa Barbara vacation rental love the look, sound and smell of the ocean, but they don’t necessarily want to get in the water. Fortunately, there are several ways visitors can enjoy the shore without actually getting their toes wet.

Santa Barbara Water Taxi is a company that runs a cute little yellow boat named Lil’ Toot between the harbor and Stearns Wharf (a brisk 1.5 mile walk from Santa Barbara beach house rental Santa Barbara Oceanview) for the bargain price of $4 for adults and $1 for kids. During the 15-minute boat ride, Captain Fred and his crew toot the boat’s distinctive whistle and point out items of interest such as wildlife, harbor history and which celebrities have parked their yachts nearby. In the evening, before heading back to their Santa Barbara vacation rental, couples can snuggle under the stars that glint off the water as they enjoy hour-long sunset, starlight and full-moon cruises to the soothing sound of the prow cutting through the lapping waves. Kids’ cruises, birthday cruises, private charters and memorial cruises are also available.

Boston isn’t the only destination with an amphibious tourist vehicle. Beantown’s Duck Tours can step aside, the Land Shark has taken over Santa Barbara! Able to transition flawlessly from traveling 70-mph on land to seven knots at sea, the Land & Sea Tours craft can pick your group up at your Santa Barbara vacation rental and seat 49 passengers at a time. Each 90-minute ocean-sprayed scheduled tour leaves from Stearns Wharf (within blocks of Santa Barbara beach house rentals Juniper Cottage and Mykonos Villa) and seeks adventures with harbor seals, dolphins, whales, the area’s fascinating past and dynamic present. There are two to three (depending on the season) tours scheduled every day, and the prices are a steal at $25 for adults and $10 for kids. Intrepid Santa Barbara vacation rental visitors can also charter their own special trip.

Even though your Santa Barbara vacation rental is heaven on earth, you’ll probably want to get out and see some of the sites while you’re here. If you like to smell the ocean and hear the sea lions bark, but don’t want to get close enough to the water to need flippers, we have a perfect alternative for you. Segway of Santa Barbara offers all the equipment and training you need to enjoy one of the three tours they offer. The Butterfly Beach Tour (passes within two blocks of Villa del Mar), the Old Santa Barbara Tour (a stone’s throw from the Ancapa Villas) and the Mission Tour offer different routes and attractions. Each trip is unique and offers visitors a different glimpse of our favorite city. Tours last between two to three hours and prices range from $65-$99.

There are so many fun and exciting things to do in Santa Barbara, and so many beautiful Santa Barbara vacation rental properties to choose from. If you're interested in learning more about the Santa Barbara area, or viewing our Santa Barbara vacation rental properties, please visit http://www.sbluxuryrentals.com/ or give us a call at 800-715-8766. We'd be delighted to assist you.

Best booking tips for a Santa Barbara Vacation Rental Home

2010-08-30T17:39:00.000-07:00

While there is a growing abundance of options when it comes to booking a Santa Barbara vacation rental, many travelers still find the vacation home rental market to be a little chaotic - at least in comparison to more traditional accommodations like hotels/motels. The increasing popularity of vacation rentals in Santa Barbara as a value-packed alternative to pricier hotels has led to an abundance of options that can be overwhelming.

Here are some tips for booking your Santa Barbara vacation rental to ensure that you are getting the most bang for your buck, while protecting yourself from scams or disappointment.

Booking a Santa Barbara Vacation Rental Tip #1: Check out niche listers that focus on specific destinations.

Whether you’ve rented a Santa Barbara vacation rental before or not, you’ll want to work with a local company and representatives that know their stuff.

For example, if you’re interested in a Santa Barbara beach house rental, a qualified representative will earn their stripes by walking you through the suitable available properties based on your unique needs and desires. For instance, if you’re bringing your three Bernese mountain dogs along with you, they’ll recommend Santa Barbara beach rental locations that are both dog-friendly and bric-a-brac-free.

Additionally, once you arrive, you’ll want to enjoy concierge services to help you get reservations at that trendy new restaurant, or simply recommend a hike that overlooks the ocean. An anonymous operator three states away won’t be able to deliver that level of local service.

Booking a Santa Barbara Vacation Rental Tip #2: Use a credit card to protect yourself and minimize risks.

You want and expect every detail of your vacation to be perfect. But unfortunately that won’t always be the case. So you need to protect yourself.

Renting with your credit card through a Santa Barbara vacation rental management company offers you that protection. If for some reason the property doesn’t meet your expectations, and the management won’t do anything to fix it, you can keep a record of the problem and dispute the charge with your credit card company.

Property owners who rent person-to-person usually insist on a cashier’s check for 50 percent of the Santa Barbara vacation rental to reserve it, and then the other 50 percent in cash upon your arrival. If you later discover roaches scuttling through the kitchen of your Santa Barbara vacation rental or other elements of the property that were grossly misrepresented, you will have no leverage because you will have already paid in full in cash.

Booking a Santa Barbara Vacation Rental Tip #3: Get the most bang for your buck.
Dollar for dollar, a Santa Barbara vacation rental gives you so much more than a luxury hotel. You get exponentially more space (both indoors and outdoors). You get a host of amenities from luxurious pools to high end kitchens to top flight entertainment systems, all for your exclusive use. Unlike an anonymous hotel room off a crowded corridor, you have a serene private home away from home to call your own.

But there are a host of priceless intangible benefits you get when you book your Santa Barbara vacation rental through a professional management company. Working with a premier Santa Barbara vacation rental management company to find your ideal Santa Barbara vacation home rental gives you a whole new level of service. A Santa Barbara vacation rental company has skin in the game. They are working to establish a good reputation and a list of return clientele, rather than just trying to make fast money.

In the-best-surprise-is-no-surprise category, unlike an absentee owner off Craigslist, with a professional Santa Barbara vacation rental company, you have someone who is troubleshooting issues 24/7, working hard to keep both the renters and the owners happy.

The most underused amenity is the professional Santa Barbara vacation rental staff. Once you arrive at your vacation rental in Santa Barbara, the staff is at your beck and call. Concierge and housekeeping services are a mere button-touch away. The staff’s local Santa Barbara knowledge and connections can turn an average vacation into something amazing. There is no extra cost, and the return is priceless.

Booking a Santa Barbara Vacation Rental Tip #4: Book with confidence.

There’s a HUGE difference between someone who just wants to sell you a room, and a professional Santa Barbara vacation rental company that wants to make sure that you enjoy your ultimate Santa Barbara vacation so much that you return again and again. The key to that difference is delivering on what is promised.

Many vacation rental agencies are just big clearing-houses that list properties, sometimes all over the world. They do not usually specialize in a region and offer no other services, aside from rental matchmaking. They can’t make guarantees about the Santa Barbara beach house rental you’ve booked because their representatives have never visited them, inspected them for health and safety concerns, or even met the owners. They cannot vouch for the actual condition of the Santa Barbara vacation rental property, the advantages/disadvantages of the location, etc.

Some agencies just want to book the Santa Barbara beach rental and collect their fee. They may not care too much about what happens during your stay.

If you’ve never visited the Santa Barbara beach rental house you’re considering, or gotten a firsthand report from a trusted friend, you have no idea whether the photos you’ve seen on the web site are an accurate representation. They might be outdated, retouched, or from an entirely different place. (It goes without saying that you should never rent a Santa Barbara vacation rental that doesn’t at least offer photos!) Beware of any site that only offers view or exterior shots. If they’re not willing to show you what the Santa Barbara vacation house rental looks like inside, you don’t want to stay there.

With a professional Santa Barbara vacation rental company, you can be assured that the quality you see is the quality you will get.

Booking a Santa Barbara Vacation Rental Tip #5: Go with the highest standards of quality.

Professional Santa Barbara vacation rental agencies are held to higher standards than private owners. Even if an owner fervently believes that their Santa Barbara vacation rental is clean and up-to-date, their standards might not match your own. One person’s no-visible-dust-bunnies and hi-fi-system are another person’s filthy and anachronistic. A professionally managed Santa Barbara vacation house rental will also be a professionally cleaned and maintained Santa Barbara vacation house rental.

Booking a Santa Barbara Vacation Rental Tip #6: Understand the risks of booking through free listing sites like Craigslist.

Listing on a free site is, well, free. No crime in that (who doesn’t love free?), but that might point toward a general laissez-faire attitude the owner has toward his property and tenants.

The owners who are willing to pay a fee to keep their vacation houses booked and in first-class condition have already demonstrated their care and commitment to a working relationship that is beneficial to all parties. The management companies they work with are companies you can rent from worry-free.

Booking a Santa Barbara Vacation Rental Tip #7: Don't be afraid to negotiate.

The more often these Santa Barbara vacation rentals are occupied, the happier the owners are, so if you are planning a last-minute or a long-term stay or if you are a frequent visitor, there is often room to negotiate on the price of your Santa Barbara vacation rental. Sometimes the discount might be as much as 30 percent.

Booking a Santa Barbara Vacation Rental Tip #8: Do your research and compare rates, amenities, and conditions before entering into a rental agreement.

When you’re trying to narrow down your choice of a Santa Barbara vacation rental, be sure you’re comparing apples to apples. A smaller house on the beach will likely cost more than a larger one in the hills. Know what you’re getting from each property, and from each management company. Follow your gut and go with the company that will cheerfully show up in the middle of the night to snake the sink.

Another benefit to working with a Santa Barbara vacation rental professional management company is that it’s so easy to do a background check on them. Call or visit the Better Business Bureau or a vacation rental site like FlipKey.com. Has the firm had any reasonable complaints against them? How were they resolved? Type the name of the Santa Barbara vacation rental firm and its owner into Google and you’ll get a wealth of informative opinions.

The increasing popularity of Santa Barbara vacation rentals has led to an abundance of online resources. Your best best bet is to do due diligence and compare rates, amenities, reputations, views, and conditions before entering into a rental agreement. It’s your vacation and booking the right accommodations will help you ensure that your holiday will meet and exceed your expectations.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals Allow Travelers to Book with Confidence

2010-08-30T11:17:00.000-07:00

SANTA BARBARA, CA – While popular U.S. destinations like New York are implementing restrictions to help regulate the increasing popularity of short-term apartment and other vacation rentals, consumers are still faced with a growing abundance of options to consider before entering into any rental agreement.

Many travelers still find the vacation home rental market to be a little chaotic - at least in comparison to more traditional accommodations like hotels/motels. Therefore it is important for travelers to be able to book a Santa Barbara vacation rental with confidence, especially since they are usually reserving the property sight unseen.

As Santa Barbara vacation rentals grow in popularity as a value-packed alternative to traditional hotel accommodations, it can be difficult for consumers to know how to book a property that best fits their budget as well as travel needs and desires. There are many things consumers can do to protect themselves from scams or disappointment – including working with a professional management company whose goal is to ensure your vacation rental experience meets and exceeds your expectations.

We recommend that renters visit the Better Business Bureau or a vacation rental site such as FlipKey.com for candid reviews. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for travelers to end up in vacation rentals that do not deliver on what is promised. A recent guest even shared the nightmare experience that preceded her Santa Barbara vacation rental stay.

"After flying across the country to LA, we arrived at a home we had rented in Malibu to find it totally misrepresented and truly un-stayable. We considered flying back to New York and then decided to look into Santa Barbara instead,“ said Rory B. from New York, NY. “We contacted Santa Barbara Luxury Rentals and they were able to offer us the Anacapa Villa at a very reasonable price for same day arrival. The condominium was beautiful, every detail was thought through, it was immaculate and comfortable and the next best thing to home."

If you are looking to grab a last-minute holiday as the summer is winding down, give us a call at 805-715-3900. If you’re lucky and can act quickly, you might get a real steal!

Santa Barbara Vacation Rental Tips for Touring Historic Santa Barbara

2010-08-28T05:13:00.000-07:00

Santa Barbara is an area full of rich cultures going back thousands of years. Whether you want to learn more about the indigenous Chumash tribe that first settled the area, the influence of the Spanish and the Mission Santa Barbara, the Mexican rancho era, the incorporation of California into the United States in the mid 19th century or what the good life has been like since then, your Santa Barbara vacation rental is within shouting distance of a wealth of history and aesthetic treasures.

The best place to start exploring outside of your Santa Barbara vacation rental is probably with the self-guided downtown red tile walking tour. Named for the ubiquitous color of the roofs along the route, it is a very pleasant 12-block stroll, which will help you get situated among some of the city’s historical buildings and events.

If you want a more targeted tour try the Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara. Their knowledgeable guides weave fascinating tales of history, buildings, the events that happened there and the men and women who were involved. No detail is too small and no painted tile goes unturned. There is also an innovative art tour offered through Santa Barbara Walking Tours, which incorporates art and history.

If your Santa Barbara vacation rental doesn’t have enough flora to suite you, the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is an excellent place for a stroll. There are 65 acres of plants in their native settings with 5½ miles of meandering paths.

There are also dozens of historic and artistic walking tours including a self-guided tour or virtual tour through the Mission Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County Courthouse, Santa Barbara Museum of Art, Santa Barbara Historical Museum, Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation, the Pearl Chase Society, Santa Barbara’s hidden paseos or walkways, the harbor and Shoreline Park.

Many historic homes in the area are open to the public. One of the most striking is Casa del Herrero, or House of the Blacksmith, which was built and enjoyed by the Steedman family a century ago. It’s not a Santa Barbara vacation rental, but it is considered a prime example of Spanish Colonial Revival style of architecture, and is open to the public for tours and special events.

Video: See How Much Value Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals Delivers

2010-08-27T17:19:00.000-07:00

Santa Barbara vacation rental guests come in all different stripes. Some are families who have scrimped and saved all year for one big blowout vacation. Others are visitors to whom leisure is a way of life. But regardless of the guests’ circumstances, we knock ourselves out to provide a premium Santa Barbara vacation rental experience for everyone who walks through our doors.

One of the comments we hear over and over again is how Santa Barbara vacation rentals consistently deliver more of…everything! Our Santa Barbara vacation rental homes have more space, more amenities, more luxury, more breathtaking views, more access to beaches, more knowledgeable concierges, more responsive property managers, more information and more access to whatever important to you.

Our Santa Barbara vacation rental properties are beautifully decorated and equipped. They have high-end amenities and every comfort you could ask for. Many of our Santa Barbara vacation rental homes even have outdoor entertaining areas and outdoor sports equipment.

Every day we strive to exceed our clients’ Santa Barbara vacation rental expectations. We find that it’s the thoughtful little touches that can really turn a nice vacation into the experience of a lifetime. Whether it’s a lit fireplace and a bottle of Cabernet left open to breathe and await your arrival, your favorite model rental car ready at your door or help arranging the adventure of a lifetime, we are here to honor any request.

We were amused and delighted when we saw this YouTube video, posted by a Santa Barbara vacation rental guest Chris Brogan, president of New Marketing Labs, a social media agency. Listen to how he and his friend were knocked out by everything about the Santa Barbara vacation rental they stayed in. It’s a pretty typical response. Hopefully, some day it will be yours, too.

Santa Barbara Luxury Rentals Launches Blog and Vacation Rentals Site with Valuable Guest Resources

2010-07-31T07:18:00.000-07:00

At Santa Barbara Luxury Rentals we provide a variety of high-end vacation rentals in Santa Barbara. We continuously aim to make our guests' stay in Santa Barbara as comfortable and pleasant as possible. This is why we have launched our very own blog and SB vacation rentals website featuring insider tips, expert travel advice and trip planning resources. Our Santa Barbara vacation rentals website can be found at: http://www.santa-barbara-vacation-rental.com/

At Santa Barbara Luxury Rentals we know that finding the right accommodations for your trip is only part of the vacation planning process! This is why we want to share our local insider tips and advice with our guests. Our Santa Barbara vacation rentals website is just another way we provide top notch service to our vacation rental guests. We also provide valuable resources for our visitors on our site as well as this blog. Even before our guests arrive at their Santa Barbara vacation rental, we are ready to provide assistance and invaluable information about the area and all that Santa Barbara has to offer to help them create a memorable vacation experience.

On the Santa Barbara vacation rental blog and Santa Barbara vacation rentals website, visitors will find:
• Information on popular Santa Barbara activities including the best hiking trails, wineries and farmers markets.
• Local area guide highlighting insider tips for enjoying dining, shopping, art galleries, ocean activities, antiquing, and more.
• Helpful tips for traveling smarter including ways to save money without sacrificing your overall vacation experience.
• Local events including concerts and cultural festivals.
• Expert recommendations for planning family-friendly vacations, Santa Barbara destination weddings, or romantic getaways.
• Easy ways for our guests to make the most of their Santa Barbara vacation rentals to help stretch their vacation budgets further.

For those who want to explore our Santa Barbara vacation rental properties, the Santa Barbara vacation rentals website also highlights featured vacation homes and provides easy links to view private beach houses and holiday villa properties at www.sbluxuryrentals.com.

View our properties at http://www.sbluxuryrentals.com/ or give us a call at 800-715-8766. We'd be delighted to assist you.

Get a steal on a Santa Barbara Vacation Rental for a Last Minute Central Coast Summer Getaway

2010-07-31T04:31:00.000-07:00

Oops! Are you one of the millions of potential vacationers who are waiting in vain for airfares to go down? Do you have vacation days to burn, but nowhere to turn? Are you going to scream if you hear someone extolling the virtues of a “staycation” one more time?

If you’re within a four- to five-hour drive of California’s south central coast, have we got some good news for you. Parenting web site has targeted a Santa Barbara vacation rental as one of the best places to take your family for a last-minute vacation. It’s no wonder. There is so much to do in the area. There are innumerable watersports for kids of all ages, beach activities, history to relive, gardens to admire, plays, movies, outdoor entertainment, etc.

There’s also the perfect family-friendly place to stay. Santa Barbara vacation rentals are beautiful properties that suit almost any budget and timeline. Whether you’re planning to visit for 48 hours or four to eight weeks, a Santa Barbara vacation rental can offer you the perfect estate, villa, cottage, bungalow or apartment to suit your needs.

Guests at our Santa Barbara vacation rentals travel here by plane, train or automobile. You can stay right on the beach in Ocean Oasis, or up in the hills in Le Petit Chateau. The Santa Barbara area offers a lovely temperate climate year-round. It’s never too hot and never too cold at a Santa Barbara vacation rental, so there’s literally nothing to stop you from enjoying the great outdoors at any time of the year.

If you are looking for last minute deals on a Santa Barbara vacation rental, give us a call at 805-715-3900. If you’re lucky and can act quickly, you might get a real steal.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals’ Guests Enjoy New Water Sports

2010-07-30T11:25:00.000-07:00

If you’re staying in a Santa Barbara vacation rental there’s a new water sport craze hitting the beaches and it’s a hit with celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson. The sport is called stand up paddling (or SUP) and it combines the best of surfing and canoeing. Enthusiasts stand on a board and paddle through the water, and they’re raving about the experience.

Thatsfit.com called Santa Barbara the best place to learn SUP, and in particular recommended Paddle Sports in the Santa Barbara Harbor near several Santa Barbara vacation rentals and in Carpinteria as the best place to rent. Paddle Sports offers a two-hour, $40 rental that includes the board, paddle, a wetsuit and leash.

Originally all the rage in California and Hawaii, SUP is now catching on like wildfire anywhere there’s flat water. If your Santa Barbara vacation rental is near a lake, pond or glassy coast, you will find enthusiastic SUPers. It is being embraced by all age groups, and people of any and all (or no) athletic abilities. You can glide around at a snail’s pace, or race around like a professional outrigger.

Santa Barbara vacation rental guests enjoy a great workout for your abdomen, arms, back and shoulders, but it also tones all of the leg and torso muscles you use to stay upright and balanced. Like any paddling sport, the more upper arm strength you have the better your endurance will be.
But have no fear ladies, in this sport, style counts as much as substance. Anyone can learn the strokes, postures, foot positions, angles and techniques to make an elegant turn and stay dry. And she who stays on her board instead of falling off will always be considered the better athlete. This could be why women account for almost 50% of all SUP board sales.

You may want to check out YouTube or http://www.supsurfmag.com/ to watch videos or read articles to get some hints and tips before you head out on the open water. Remember, the Pacific ocean can be cold. They give you a wetsuit for a reason.

Paddle Sports has many different packages available to suit any experience level from newbie to expert. Your Santa Barbara vacation rental concierge would be happy to organize the right package for you. The Santa Barbara Harbor facility is located conveniently close to several Santa Barbara vacation rentals including Mykonos Villa, Juniper Cottage, Santa Barbara Oceanview and the Anacapa Penthouses.

If you are interested in trying stand up paddling during your Santa Barbara vacation rental stay, book a Santa Barbara Luxury Rental today.

How to Select a Santa Barbara Beach House Rental for Your Summer Vacation

2010-07-26T15:51:00.000-07:00

Faced with an abundance of choices, finding the perfect Santa Barbara vacation rental can sometimes seem a little daunting. Use these tips to ensure you find the location, amenities, and service that you're looking for to make your vacation truly memorable.

Whether you’re planning your first trip to Santa Barbara, or making an annual pilgrimage, selecting the right Santa Barbara vacation rental can make all the difference. Staying in a Santa Barbara beach house rental is the perfect solution for many travelers. It offers all the luxury of staying in a high-end hotel, with the comfort and privacy of your very own home away from home.

How to Choose a Santa Barbara Vacation Rental Tip #1: Decide Where you Want to Stay.

Location is key when selecting your Santa Barbara beach house rental. Do you want a true beachfront property? Or would you prefer spectacular ocean views to easy beach access? Santa Barbara beach house rental properties that are close to the beach (1-2 blocks) may be located behind other homes so they won’t have an ocean view. Other beaches homes may have an awesome ocean view from atop the Riviera, but will be about a 5-10 minute drive to the beach. Property descriptions will often make these details as clear as possible for renters, but it's definitely important to ask to make sure you are getting what you want.

How to Choose a Santa Barbara Vacation Rental Tip #2: Make a wish list.

Consider your individual needs and prioritize your preferences for vacationing in Santa Barbara. Do you want to watch the orange sun set over the silvery horizon every night from your roof deck of your Santa Barbara beach rental, or do you want to be front and center on the sand with seaweed wrapped between your toes? Do you want to be within easy distance of a good jogging beach? Do you want to wake to the smell of sage and explore a new hilly trail every day in your Santa Barbara vacation rental? Or maybe you want to stroll Santa Barbara’s red-roof district and explore the art/food/shopping scene downtown? If you know what you want out of your Santa Barbara vacation rental, you’re a lot more likely to get what you want.

How to Choose a Santa Barbara Vacation Rental Tip #3: Get specific.

Don’t hesitate to ask detailed questions about everything from the beach gear that’s provided to sleeping arrangements at your Santa Barbara vacation rental. If you have kids and pets, then you will want to know which beaches are most kid-friendly and dog-friendly – along with the best way to get there from your Santa Barbara beach rental. A beach house that requires a steep walk to or from the beach, or necessitates that you bring all of your own beach toys and paraphernalia with you may not be the best match. Most properties provide sun umbrellas, beach chairs, beach towels, etc., and even sunshade and toy rentals for kids through concierge services, so you don’t have to schlep all your own beach gear on vacation.

How to Choose a Santa Barbara Vacation Rental Tip #4: Hit the Web.

Explore online resources and check out online Santa Barbara vacation rental travel-review sites. Some favorites include:

Photos of your potential Santa Barbara beach rentals are important, but they may not give the whole story. Pay particular attention to the visitors’ comments. If it was important enough for someone to write about, it will probably factor into which Santa Barbara beach rental you choose, too. Before you put down your deposit you’ll want to know whether the Santa Barbara vacation rental’s advertised “beach neighborhood” is actually a twenty-minute drive from the sand, or if the “friendly neighbors” mentioned in the ad peek into the windows at night.

How to Choose a Santa Barbara Vacation Rental Tip #5: Stick with the Professionals.

Obviously, if you deal with a professional Santa Barbara beach house rental agency, you have more protection and options. Mrs. Kravitz may not care that you don’t like the dilapidated shack she advertised as a romantic Santa Barbara beach rental cottage, but a professional will knock themselves out to help you find what you’re looking for. They want your business, and will do whatever they can to make your visit a special one.

How to Choose a Santa Barbara Vacation Rental Tip #6: Call the Source Directly.

Once you’ve found a few potential Santa Barbara vacation rental properties that seem to fit your criteria, call their managers and ask specific questions about the homes. Whatever is important to you should be important to the agency. They are experts in their field. If, after talking with them, you decide that a particular Santa Barbara beach house rental is not what you’re looking for, they may be able to make another suggestion that would fit the bill perfectly, even if it’s through another company. Is the staff friendly and helpful? That is a good sign that they will continue to be attentive during your actual stay in your Santa Barbara beach rental.

And there’s no reason to give up the high-end service you crave either. Some Santa Barbara beach house rental companies offer concierge service free of charge. These professional men and women will fulfill all of your requests as quickly and cheerfully as any Golden Key professional.

There are many, many options when it comes to choosing a Santa Barbara vacation rental. There is something for everyone. It may take a little digging, but it will be worth it when you find your ideal Santa Barbara beach house rental.

Simply put, Santa Barbara is your oyster. Pick your pearl of a Santa Barbara beach rental.

For more information on high-end, fully-furnished vacation rentals in Santa Barbara - including private beach houses, California holiday villas, and large luxurious vacation homes - visit www.sbluxuryrentals.com or call 800-715-8766.

Graham Farrar is a Santa Barbara local with specialized knowledge in the popular destination’s attractions and activities. He is a Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals expert and offers tips and advice for traveling to Santa Barbara on the www.sbluxuryrentals.com blog.

Santa Barbara Beach House Vacation Rentals Offer the Ultimate Summer Getaway

2010-07-05T16:55:00.000-07:00

Renting a luxurious Santa Barbara beach house with ocean views and countless amenities helps you make the most of your summer vacation for a fraction of the cost of traditional hotel accommodations.

While California is famous for its legendary beach lifestyle, only a tiny fraction of its almost 40 million residents live within shouting distance of the coast. So when visitors flock to the popular destination for summer vacation, they tend to look for Santa Barbara beach house rentals with amenities like ocean views, backyards, porches, decks, fire pits and Jacuzzis for the ultimate summer getaway experience.

Additionally, vacationers who book a Santa Barbara beach house rental enjoy immense value and greater overall living space for less than the cost of a stay in a 400-sqft hotel room. Santa Barbara beach house rentals also help guests save time, stress and money by providing conveniences and amenities like outdoor showers, spas, BBQ grills, beach bicycles, towels and lounge chairs.

Beach access is probably what most people are concerned about. Guests of Santa Barbara Luxury Rentals enjoy being an easy walk away from popular spots like Butterfly Beach and West Beach. Santa Barbara is really paradise for both nature lovers and sun goddesses, and Santa Barbara Luxury Rentals's beach houses are designed to help make the most of your summer vacation.

Ocean Oasis is one of the most in demand Santa Barbara beach rentals with its oceanfront location where there is nothing but bluff between guests and the unspoiled and un-crowded beaches. A hot tub is perched on the deck with gorgeous views of the water where guests can watch birds and dolphins frolic from the backyard of their Santa Barbara beach house rental.

A recent guest from Seoul, South Korea, David H. said of the property, “[Ocean Oasis] is truly just that, with the most jaw-dropping views of the Pacific that I have ever seen. The hot tub, perched on the very edge of a 90-foot cliff, is well positioned to take advantage of the great views and gorgeous sunsets. It was unforgettable.”

About Santa Barbara Luxury Rentals

Santa Barbara Luxury Rentals is your one stop source for high-end, fully-furnished vacation homes in Santa Barbara including private beach houses, California holiday villas, and large luxurious vacation homes.

Visit our website to view our properties www.sbluxuryrentals.com or give us a call at 800-715-8766. We'd be delighted to assist you.

Making the Most of the Great Outdoors

2010-06-25T13:21:00.000-07:00

Many Santa Barbara vacationers find heaven-on-earth in a Santa Barbara beach house rental. Whether you’re planning to hit the hiking trails every morning before sunrise, or laze in your beachside Jacuzzi all day, there’s a Santa Barbara beach house rental tailor-made for you.

California is famous for its beaches and legendary beach lifestyle. As a Santa Barbara vacationer you have an advantage over the native Californian. While only a tiny fraction of almost 40 million Californians live within shouting distance of the coast, you get your pick of Santa Barbara beach house rentals to watch the waves lap the sand 24/7.

Santa Barbara Beach House Rental Great Amenities for Outdoor Living Tip #1: Enjoy the Great Outdoors.
A Santa Barbara beach house rent al means different things to different people. Some guests are happy to scrunch sand between their toes while they watch and listen to the mesmerizing surf. Others will use their Santa Barbara beach house rental’s sound system to crank up their Best of the Beach Boys CD while enjoying mai tais on the back deck.

Regardless of what kind of vacation you’re planning, Santa Barbara beach house rentals can help you enjoy the great outdoors. Additionally, while some are just a few steps from the beach, other Santa Barbara beach house rentals also provide proximity to shopping and great restaurants.

Santa Barbara Beach House Rental Great Amenities for Outdoor Living Tip #2: “Livin’ La Vida Loca.”
Some Santa Barbara beach house rental guests come to town eager to play, play, play! Fortunately, there is plenty to do in the Santa Barbara area for even the most ADD among us. Staying at a Santa Barbara beach house rental is perfect for anyone looking to enjoy the ocean by day and the local attractions by night. Santa Barbara is home to many great lounges and nightclubs that offer dinner, dancing, drinks and theme parties including Eos, the Wildcat Lounge and even a few pubs like the James Joyce.

If you wake up with a hangover, visit Cold Spring Tavern, a former 19th-century stagecoach rest stop to nurse yourself back to health. A little off the beaten path, it is now a laid-back rustic restaurant that features four fireplaces, indoor/outdoor dining, live music during summer afternoons and delicious American-style food (their breakfasts are especially renowned) just like mom used to make.

Santa Barbara Beach House Rental Great Amenities for Outdoor Living Tip #3: It’s a Dog’s Life.
If Fido is due for a vacation too, there are lots of places for you to play together. A Santa Barbara beach house rental gives you and your four-legged best friend a vacation to remember.

Not far from many Santa Barbara beach house rentals are some great spots that dogs can visit. Many parks and hiking trails welcome dogs on leashes, but if you want your furry friend to run free off-leash and feel the wind in his fur there are a few options. Douglas Family Park, at the end of Medcliff Road & Selrose Lane, is a 70-acre facility that features both a beach and stunning hiking trails. Hale Park, at Camino Viejo and Eucalyptus Hill Road, has lots of tree-lined walking trails. Orcutt Park, at Alameda Padre Serra and Moreno, is a long narrow exercise park that the locals favor.

If you’re planning on renting a Santa Barbara beach house in mid-July, get your dog spruced and pruned for the annual Poodle Parade at the Santa Barbara French Festival (all breeds are welcome).

As with any doggy outing, bring a leash, your own poop-pick-up bags and water. Santa Barbara authorities are particularly keen that dogs visiting public places use their best guest manners.

Santa Barbara Beach House Rental Great Amenities for Outdoor Living Tip #4: Life’s a Beach.
Some people come to Santa Barbara for the mountains or the valleys, but let’s face it, most visitors are here for the ocean. There’s something cathartic about listening to the pounding surf while you watch a seagull weightlessly ride a coastal air current. When you’re choosing a Santa Barbara beach house rental, consider whether it has all the amenities you’ll want. A Santa Barbara beach house rental that already has the toys you’ll need can save time, stress and money. Here’s a partial list of things to ask about when booking your Santa Barbara beach house rental for a beach vacation:

Beach bicycles
Beach chairs
Beach games like volleyball and Frisbee
Beach mats
Beach towels
Boogie Boards
Kayaks
Roll-away ice cooler
Sun umbrella

Santa Barbara Beach House Rental Great Amenities for Outdoor Living Tip #5: Eat, Drink and Be Merry.
One of the best parts of staying in a Santa Barbara beach house rental is being able to cook and eat outside in the temperate California coastal climate. Whether your preferences run to creating your own molto bene meals or dialing 1-800-BRING-DINNER, make sure your Santa Barbara beach house rental has all of the al fresco amenities that you want, including:

Gas BBQ grill and accessories
Local menus and dining guides
Mountain or ocean views
Outdoor dining area
Private deck with table, chairs
Seating area

Santa Barbara Beach House Rental Great Amenities for Outdoor Living Tip #6: Embrace The Good Life.
Once you settle into your Santa Barbara beach house rental, you’re not going to want to leave. And why should you? It’s got every outdoor amenity a body could possibly want in a little slice of heaven, including:

Courtyard
Doggy door
Games: basketball hoop, croquet set, pool table
Fire pit
Fireplace
Fountains/water features
Heat lamp
Jacuzzi
Local entertainment guides
Lounge chairs
Observation deck
Outdoor shower
Outdoor speakers
Outdoor TV
Pool
Private balconies
Redwood sauna
Rooftop terrace
Spa
Steam shower
Umbrellas
Wireless internet (WiFi)
Wraparound covered porch
Yard with fruit trees, lawn and flowers and/or herb garden

The only question is, which Santa Barbara beach house rental will you choose? With so many possible amenities we recommend the sensible approach. Try them all until you find your favorite Santa Barbara beach house rental.

For more information on high-end, fully-furnished vacation rentals in Santa Barbara - including private beach houses, California holiday villas, and large luxurious vacation homes - visit http://www.sbluxuryrentals.com/ or call 800-715-8766.

Hiking Santa Babara: Great Santa Barbara Hikes

2010-05-31T22:52:00.000-07:00

In addition to all the other advantages of having a Santa Barbara vacation rental as your home base during your vacation, here’s one most people don’t think about. After a day of hiking in Santa Barbara, you’ll look as weathered as Indiana Jones after the truck sequence in Raiders. Which would you rather do - track dirt through the lobby of a luxury hotel or come to your homey Santa Barbara vacation rental where you can flop down in your own living room and stagger into a refreshing private hot tub or pool?

To get you started on the right foot, here are six tips for enjoying your Santa Barbara hike.

Santa Babara Hiking Tips for Great Santa Barbara Hikes #1: There’s a great Santa Barbara hike right at your doorstep. No matter which Santa Barbara vacation rental home you choose, you’re going to be close to a great hiking trail. If you want to check how close your Santa Barbara vacation rental is to some great hiking trails, go to these maps at Trails.com. You will have to register with this pay site to get the full benefit of trail guides and topographical maps, but the overview map can give you some very clear ideas about which Santa Barbara hiking trials are closest to you.

Santa Babara Hiking Tips for Great Santa Barbara Hikes #2: Get a map. Trail maps are available at Pacific Travelers Supply, 12 W. Anapamu St. (at State St.; tel. 888/PAC-TRAV or 805/963-4438), at the Santa Barbara visitor center, and from Traffic Solutions (tel. 805/963-7283).

Santa Babara Hiking Tips for Great Santa Barbara Hikes #3: Pace yourself. Santa Barbara hiking trails have hikes for all skill levels. Some Santa Barbara beach walks are short and level, while some treks into the mountains can be strenuous, steep, all-day affairs. To get started, one of the most popular Santa Barbara hikes is also one of the easiest (maybe there’s a connection there). The Seven Falls/Inspiration Point Trail starts on Tunnel Road and takes you right by the mission and the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden.

Santa Babara Hiking Tips for Great Santa Barbara Hikes #4: Check out the most popular Santa Barbara hikes. The best way to begin your Santa Barbara hike is to start by surfing the top Santa Barbara hiking sites.

The Santa Barbara Independent lists the best Santa Barbara hikes, displaying photos, suggestions and loving details about what sights to check out.along the way: http://www.independent.com/news/outdoors/day-hikes/.
Santa Barbara Hikes is the most detailed with levels of difficulty, GPS coordinates, updates from fellow hikers, etc: http://santabarbarahikes.com/.
The Santa Barbara Trail Guide has scheduled hikes, the latest hiking news, trail photos, GPS coordinates, trial hazards, geology, wildflowers, etc: http://www.santabarbaratrailguide.com/index.shtml.
Local hikes lists the top Santa Barbara hikes: http://www.localhikes.com/MSA/MSA_7480.asp
Santa Barbara.com breaks down Santa Barbara hikes into categories like common hikes, beach hikes, mountaintop hikes, inland hikes: http://www.santabarbara.com/activities/hikes/.
Santa Barbara Outdoors also has a section for mountain biking: http://www.sb-outdoors.org/.

Santa Babara Hiking Tips for Great Santa Barbara Hikes #5: Go with a group. Beginning Santa Barbara hikers as wells as pros are welcome to join the Sierra Club’s regular Santa Barbara hikes on Wednesday night, Friday night, Saturday and Sunday. The group is very friendly, but you must download the standard sign-in waiver and bring a signed copy to join the hike. Get details at: http://www.swt.org/hikesierra/ or check out the Los Padres Sierra Chapter: http://lospadres.sierraclub.org/santabarbara/outings/index.html.

Santa Babara Hiking Tips for Great Santa Barbara Hikes #6: Go with a guide. If you are looking for a little one-on-one guidance for your Santa Barbara hike, check out Santa Barbara Adventure Company’s guided day hikes: http://www.sbadventureco.com/adventures/day-hikes/. If love to hike and kayak, check out the guided Gaviota Kayak/Hot Spring hike tour by Captain Jack Tours: http://www.captainjackstours.com/.

Hikers love all the Santa Barbara hiking trails. Santa Barbara hikers hike by day and then enjoy the culture, festivities and nightlife the city has to offer. You can go on a great Santa Barbara beachside hike in the morning, come home to your Santa Barbara vacation rental to get refreshed and then go wine tasting in the afternoon and to dinner at a wonderful restaurant. How your end your nights in your Santa Barbara vacation rental is up to you.

Farmer Markets Offer Fresh Local Produce for Santa Barbara Vacation Rental Guests

2010-05-31T11:53:00.000-07:00

A feast for all five senses awaits you at the Santa Barbara area farmers markets. Offered every day of the week except Monday, there are innumerable opportunities to taste, sniff and feel the produce, listen to entertainers and watch the fascinating mix of people go by.

Whether you’re staying at a Santa Barbara vacation rental in or near downtown, old town, Goleta, Carpinteria, Montecito or Solvang, you will find a weekly outdoor market offering a wide variety of fresh and locally produced bread, dried beans and fruits, flowers, fruits and vegetables, fruit juices, honey, jams, nuts, olive oil, organic cheese, pies, soaps, souvenirs, wine and countless other treats.

The most popular and populous market takes place on Saturday morning, in downtown Santa Barbara. It can be a bit of a crush, but is well worth jostling with the amiable crowds to get a real sense of how the locals like to shop. It is also an ideal place to meet new friends, get the inside scoop on what is going on in the community and feel like you’re a part of it.

The Santa Barbara area farmers markets are:

Saturday – Corner of Santa Barbara and Cota streets in downtown Santa Barbara
Sunday – Camino Real Marketplace, corner of Storke and Hollister in Goleta
Tuesday – 500 and 600 blocks of State Street in old town Santa Barbara
Wednesday – La Cumbre Plaza Shopping Center in Santa Barbara; Copenhagen Drive and 1st Street in Solvang
Thursday – Calle Real Center, 5700 Block of Calle Real in Goleta; 800 Block of Linden Avenue in Carpinteria
Friday – 1100 & 1200 blocks of Coast Village Road in Montecito

For more information, please visit http://www.sbfarmersmarket.org/ or call (805) 962-5354.

For more insider tips, check out our local area guide for Santa Barbara Vacation Rental Guests: http://www.sbluxuryrentals.com/SantaBarbara-vacation-rental/local-area-guide-travel-tips.html.

Santa Barbara Luxury Rentals is your one stop source for high-end, fully-furnished vacation homes in Santa Barbara including private beach houses, California holiday villas, and large luxurious vacation homes. Our Santa Barbara vacation rentals are ideal for romantic vacations, family gatherings and reunions, or wedding parties and wedding accommodations. We also offer pet-friendly vacation rentals on select properties. Our full-service staff and concierge services are available to assist you with all your Santa Barbara vacation rental needs. For more information or to make a reservation, please call 800-715-8766. We'd be delighted to assist you!

Tips for Traveling Smarter: How to Take Advantage of Travel and Tourism Trends Promoting Value and Service

2010-05-31T11:43:00.000-07:00

Trends for the travel industry point towards businesses offering added value and amenities for customers looking to stretch their budgets without sacrificing luxury or service. Savvy Santa Barbara vacation rental guests can take advantage of these trends that promote service and value with these smart travel tips.

In light of the economic downturn, more and more travel-related businesses are realizing that the days of nickel and diming guests are over. Those who want to rebound from the recession are now offering great perks and prices for travelers. Businesses that offer great value and amenities let travelers on a budget enjoy affordability without sacrificing service or luxury. Santa Barbara vacation rental guests can take advantage of these top industry trends that promote service and value when planning their next trip!

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals Travel Smart Tip #1: Book a Santa Barbara vacation rental for the fraction of the cost of a hotel.

Booking a Santa Barbara vacation rental offers so many more benefits than a hotel. More space, more privacy, more money saved, and no one will levy your 401k if you so much as look at the mini-bar. Paying all of those mandatory hotel fees, taxes and service charges is like being nibbled to death by ducks.

Staying in a Santa Barbara vacation rental home allows for flexibility and a more relaxed approach to planning your day. Would you rather eat your eggs Benedict outside on your beachside patio or hurry through a hotel buffet line surrounded by hot and smelly chafing dishes? Dining in your Santa Barbara vacation rental is simply a more soothing and cheaper option than the frenetic process of eating out three times a day.

Santa Barbara vacation rentals offer a wide variety of choices, from large lodges and cozy cottages, to beachside bungalows and hot city homes. Some Santa Barbara vacation rentals offer a free concierge service so you have the insider knowledge of a seasoned expert at your fingertips. And no one will charge you ten bucks for a cup of coffee or an extra blanket at your private Santa Barbara vacation rental home.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals Travel Smart Tip #2: Take the train and avoid the hassle and added expense of air travel.

If you’ve flown lately, you know what a nightmare it can be. Depending on the airline, you may have to pay extra to redeem frequent flyer miles, change tickets, check your bags at curbside (heck, check your bags at all!), use the airport wi-fi, use a pillow or blanket, get a snack or even down that drink you desperately need to keep from losing your cool. One airline is even requiring passengers to empty their bladders before they board while another is considering charging for using the restroom!

Or you can arrive calmly and coolly by train. Amtrak’s Coast Starlight is widely regarded as one of the most stunning train trips in the world, and a great way to arrive at your Santa Barbara vacation rental relaxed and refreshed. Running daily from Seattle to Los Angeles, this 35-hour trip meanders down the gorgeous California coast between Oakland and L.A., and includes a stop in Santa Barbara.

It’s a good value, too. If you book Sleeper Service accommodations, all of your meals on board are included in the price along with fresh linen and towel service, complimentary bottled water and daily newspapers. And no one will extort $25 before they load your luggage on board.

For more information, call 1-800-USA-RAIL or visit http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer/AM_Route_C/1241245648567/1237405732511.

Rolling through the Santa Barbara station at 6:17 p.m. on the southbound leg, and at 12:48 p.m. northbound, you arrive at your Santa Barbara vacation rental just in time for a delicious meal. This brings us to our next money-saving suggestion.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals Travel Smart Tip #3: Look for value-driven prix-fixe menus to enjoy a gourmet meal and unique dining experience.

Many restaurants are reacting to the recession by offering affordable prix-fixe menus. The concept is simple. For a given price, diners are offered a multi-course meal that usually consists of an appetizer, entrée and dessert. Within those categories are three or four options to choose from, enough choices to satisfy the most discriminating palate.

There are a lot of delicious dining choices in Santa Barbara. You’ll find everything from haute cuisine prepared by chefs who trained in multi-starred Michelin restaurants to holes-in-the-wall with scrumptious offerings that only the locals know about. Ask your Santa Barbara vacation rental concierge to help you find the perfect place to dine and save.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals Travel Smart Tip #4: Look beyond glossy brochures to online resources and blogs with local news and insider travel tips.

A lot of businesses have banded together with other non-competing venues to offer great deals and discounts. Some examples might be: buy a movie ticket and get half off an ice cream cone at the creamery next door, or buy a family membership to a small local museum and get into other more expensive museums nearby for free.

You can find a lot of these opportunities with a little digging online. Tourism sites, travel blogs, local news sites and other web sources are great ways to get up-to-date information, plan ahead and stick to your budget without compromising your dream vacation.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals Travel Smart Tip #5: Bring your friends and family for a shared participatory experience.

More and more people are discovering the joys of vacationing together. Family travel surged after 9/11, and accelerated again with the current recession. People band together when they’re under stress, and discovering a new, or rediscovering a favorite, destination or activity with family and/or friends makes a vacation a lot more relaxing and rewarding.

Staying in a Santa Barbara vacation rental with a group, especially a multi-generational one, opens up a world of possibilities. Grandpa might discover that making sand castles really is a fun way to spend a day. The grandson who groaned at the thought of visiting a stuffy old mission might be enthralled by the history and stories of real people who walked the same passages he is treading.

Traveling with loved ones can enrich relationships, and there’s no more fun and beautiful place to do it than Santa Barbara.

Santa Barbara Luxury Rentals understands that travelers want and deserve more from their vacation experience. These smart travel tips are provided to help guests stretch their budgets without sacrificing luxury or service. Take advantage of these trends and plan your next to trip to Santa Barbara with these tips for enjoying added value and amenities.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals is at Forefront of Travel and Tourism Trends Promoting Value and Service

2010-05-28T11:22:00.000-07:00

In light of the economic downturn, more travel-related businesses are offering added value and amenities for customers looking to stretch their budgets without sacrificing luxury or service. Yet Santa Barbara vacation rentals continue to offer guests a value-packed alternative to hotel rooms while providing amenities and comfort at a fraction of the cost. Travel expert Peter Greenberg recently delivered the keynote address at the Santa Barbara Conference and Visitors Bureau’s annual luncheon, sharing his thoughts on the travel industry, including his disgust over nickel-and-diming schemes and ideas on what travelers really want from a destination.

At Santa Barbara vacation rental homes we are at the forefront of the current trend to promote value and services, offering exceptional ammenities and flexibility for travelers looking to enjoy affordability without sacrificing comfort or luxury.

More and more travel-related businesses are realizing that the days of nickel and diming guests are over. Savvy travelers are looking beyond glossy travel brochures to online resources and blogs with local news and insider travel tips that fit their unique budgets and needs.

For example, for less than the cost of a hotel room, vacationers can rent a whole Santa Barbara vacation rental home, such as the Ocean Oasis (pictured above) while enjoying countless benefits and avoiding the unnecessary expenses of a hotel stay like room service, tips, laundry, and internet fees.

This is a great time to travel to Santa Barbara and take advantage of growing travel trends that offer greater value and flexibility to better fit various lifestyles, needs and budgets. Meanwhile, staying at a vacation rental in Santa Barbara will remain a cost-efficient alternative to staying in traditional hotel accommodations while offering great perks and prices to travelers who want and deserve more from their vacation experience.

About Santa Barbara Luxury Rentals

Santa Barbara Luxury Rentals is your one stop source for high-end, fully-furnished vacation homes in Santa Barbara including private beach houses, California holiday villas, and large luxurious vacation homes.

Visit our website to view our properties www.sbluxuryrentals.com or give us a call at 800-715-8766. We'd be delighted to assist you.

Local Area Guide for Santa Barbara Vacation Rental Guests: Insider Santa Barbara Travel Tips

2010-04-30T14:38:00.000-07:00

Now that you’re enjoying the comfort and convenience of your Santa Barbara vacation rental home, what’s next? How do you plan to spend your time in Santa Babrara? Where can you mix and mingle with the locals? What you need is a Santa Barbara native to give you the kind of useful insider tips only local knowledge can give.

Whether you are interested in dining, seafood, shopping, art, ocean, hiking, antiquing, wineries or farmers markets, we’ve got you covered. And to get your custom-tailored vacation tips, contact your Santa Barbara vacation rentals concierge.

Local Area Guide for Santa Barbara Vacation Rental Guests: Insider Santa Barbara Travel Tip #1 - Sunday Treat: Every Sunday afternoon Cold Springs Tavern, a tucked away restaurant/bar on the way to wine country, features live music, a colorful assortment of characters and the best tri-tip sandwiches in town.

Photo Credit: www.coldspringtavern.com/

Take Hwy. 101 to Hwy. 154, drive up the mountain to the top, then one mile down the valley side turn toward Stagecoach Road. Then take a direct onto Stagecoach Road and go down the canyon for about 1.5 miles to the Tavern.http://www.coldspringtavern.com/

Local Area Guide for Santa Barbara Vacation Rental Guests: Insider Santa Barbara Travel Tip #2 – Beautiful Beach Combing: Butterfly Beach in Montecito is one of the prettiest beaches in town. Take the Olive Mill exit from Hwy. 101 and take Olive Mill west toward the ocean, Olive Mill becomes Channel Drive. After you pass the Four Seasons Resort on your right, begin looking for parking.Web: http://www.santabarbara.com/activities/beaches/butterfly/

Local Area Guide for Santa Barbara Vacation Rental Guests: Insider Santa Barbara Travel Tip #3 – Enjoy a Seafood Feast: If you want to create a seafood feast at your Santa Barbara vacation rental home, go to Kanaloa Seafood for the freshest, highest quality fish available. From Hwy. 101 take the Garden exit up to Haley, take a right on Haley, another right on Quarantina, and another right on Gutierrez. Kanaloa is located at 618 E. Gutierrez, on your left hand side. Web: http://kanaloa.com

Local Area Guide for Santa Barbara Vacation Rental Guests: Insider Santa Barbara Travel Tip #4 – The Happiest Happy Hour in Santa Barbara: The Boathouse restaurant on Hendry’s Beach offers a great happy hour. Watch the surfers and the sunset while you wash down your pulled pork sliders with a cold beverage. Take the Las Positas exit and head towards the ocean, continue straight until you hit the T in the road, and take a right at Cliff Drive and pull into the parking lot on your left. Web:http://www.sbfishhouse.com

Local Area Guide for Santa Barbara Vacation Rental Guests: Insider Santa Barbara Travel Tip #5 – A Hike Everyone Will Like: If you’re in the mood for some outdoor activity, Seven Falls hiking trail offers amazing views and swimming pools. Drive past the Mission towards Foothill Rd., take a right on Foothill and a left on Mission Cyn. Rd. Take a left on Tunnel Rd. and drive all the way up. Follow the trail signs from the trailhead and don’t forget to bring your water and good walking shoes. Web: http://www.santabarbarahikes.com/hikes/frontcountry/7falls.shtml

Local Area Guide for Santa Barbara Vacation Rental Guests: Insider Santa Barbara Travel Tip #6 – Set Your Sail for Adventure: Take a cruise aboard the Double Dolphin catamaran or Sunset Kidd sailboat. You might spot whales and you will likely see dolphins, but the beautiful coastline views are guaranteed. Web: Double Dolphin: http://www.sbsail.com/double_dolphin.html, Sunset Kidd: http://www.sunsetkidd.com/

Photo Credit: www.stearnswharf.org/

Local Area Guide for Santa Barbara Vacation Rental Guests: Insider Santa Barbara Travel Tip #7 – Enjoy the Santa Barbara Wharf Experience: Stearn’s Wharf is a quintessential Santa Barbara experience. Take a walk down the pier and head to the Shellfish Company. With indoor and outdoor seating, nearby fishermen and the smell of the sea, this historic locale is the perfect setting for your lobster taco meal. Web: http://www.sbfishhouse.com/shellfish/

Local Area Guide for Santa Barbara Vacation Rental Guests: Insider Santa Barbara Travel Tip #8 – Meet Santa Barbara’s Local Artists:The Cabrillo Beach Show is a weekly arts & crafts show that runs along East Beach every Sunday. Enjoy a colorful, leisurely stroll and pick up some quirky local art. Web: http://www.santabarbara.com/community/art/artshow/

Local Area Guide for Santa Barbara Vacation Rental Guests: Insider Santa Barbara Travel Tip #9 – Go Gallery Hopping: The first Thursday of every month all the local galleries open their doors to the public, often featuring music, snacks or drinks. You can download a program atwww.santabarbaradowntown.com.

Local Area Guide for Santa Barbara Vacation Rental Guests: Insider Santa Barbara Travel Tip #10 – Discover New Antiques: Summerland is a quaint, seaside town just south of Santa Barbara that has a variety of antique shops. The Summerland Antique Collective across from the freeway onramp is our favorite. 2192 Ortega Hill Rd., Summerland, CA 93067 Open every day 10-5. Phone: 805-565-3189. Then head to the Nugget afterward for lunch or dinner. Read reviews of Nugget here:http://www.santabarbara.com/Dining/review_read.asp?pk_restaurant=825.

Local Area Guide for Santa Barbara Vacation Rental Guests: Insider Santa Barbara Travel Tip #11 – Wine and Dine Your Way through Santa Barbara: Carr Winery (http://www.carrwinery.com/), located at 414 N. Salsipuedes St. in Santa Barbara, opens their doors every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night from 5 pm to midnight, offering wine tasting and live music.

The Anacapa Penhouses and Villas are right on the Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail.

The Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail includes a variety of other wineries, all within biking distance of each other. If you fall in love with a specific winery, be sure to join their wine club. You will then be eligible for greater access to savings as well as receiving select varietals before they are released to the public. If you can’t wait to open up your new favorite wine, purchase a couple bottles at the tasting room and bring them back to your Santa Barbara vacation rental. For a map of these wineries visit: http://www.santabarbaraca.com/static/index.cfm?contentID=263.

Local Area Guide for Santa Barbara Vacation Rental Guests: Insider Santa Barbara Travel Tip #12 – Taste Mouthwatering Treats at the Santa Barbara Farmer’s Market: Santa Barbara’s Local Farmers Market is a great place to stock up on produce, artisan cheeses, flowers and much more to enjoy in your Santa Barbara vacation rental. The Tuesday afternoon market takes place on State St. between Ortega and Gutierrez, and the Saturday morning market takes place in a large parking lot on Santa Barbara St., between Ortega and Cota. Web: http://www.sbfarmersmarket.org/

The real benefit of a Santa Barbara vacation rental home is not just the great price (although it provides tremendous value to guests, often half the cost of a luxury hotel), but the dedicated Santa Barbara vacation rentalsconcierge who can help you every step along the way, offering supportive assistance and invaluable information about all that Santa Barbara has to offer. The Santa Barbara vacation rental concierge is dedicated to creating a memorable vacation experience of the highest quality, giving all guests the utmost consideration and quality service during their stay at SBLR’s vacation rentals in Santa Barbara. These tips are just a starting point, call your Santa Barbara vacation rental home concierge to start planning the perfect Santa Barbara vacation custom tailored just for you.

For more information on high-end, fully-furnished vacation rentals in Santa Barbara – including private beach houses, California holiday villas, and large luxurious vacation homes – visitwww.sbluxuryrentals.com or call 800-715-8766.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals Welcome Parents, Family and Friends to Local Commencement Ceremonies

2010-04-22T17:13:00.000-07:00

While offering all the conveniences of home for guests during graduation week, Santa Barbara vacation rentals provide a value-packed alternative to hotel rooms — offering greater comfort, luxury, and flexibility for a fraction of the cost.

Spring is upon us and graduation season is just around the corner. Whether visitors are attending commencement ceremonies in late May or mid-June, now is the time to plan where to stay during graduation week.

Santa Barbara vacation rental homes are a cost-efficient alternative to staying in traditional hotel accommodations. Instead of paying $300 a night per hotel room, families and friends can enjoy the comfort and convenience of staying under one roof for a fraction of the cost – while also taking advantage of greater amenities and flexibility.

Staying at a vacation rentals in Santa Barbara offers great value because you get more for your money—affordability plus comfort, luxury, and convenience to make your entire family feel right at home. Since our vacation home rentals are roomy and full-furnished, guests can enjoy celebrating in their own private space or using it as a central meeting point when they’re not out sightseeing or celebrating out on the town.

Also, many Santa Barbara vacation rental guests can enjoy making the most out of graduation weekend by living like a local and enjoying all the conveniences of home. And in addition to avoiding the hassle and crowds of conventional hotel accommodations, guests also enjoy the convenience of being centrally located within walking distance of popular venues and activities

“We rented the Anacapa Penthouse (pictured here) for our daughter's graduation from UCSB after first considering multiple B & B rooms,” said Cynthia Gregory of San Diego, CA. ”We will definitely visit the Anacapa penthouse again! My only regret is we didn't find it until our daughter's senior year. We spent too much money on hotels over 4 years that didn't compare to the villa!”
About Santa Barbara Luxury Rentals
Santa Barbara Luxury Rentals is your one stop source for high-end, fully-furnished vacation homes in Santa Barbara including private beach houses, California holiday villas, and large luxurious vacation homes. Our luxury rental properties are ideal for romantic vacations, family gatherings and reunions, or wedding parties and wedding accommodations. We also offer pet-friendly vacation rentals on select properties. Our full-service staff and concierge services are available to assist you with all your Santa Barbara vacation rental needs. We strive to create a memorable vacation experience of the highest quality, giving all our guests the utmost consideration and quality service. To view our properties, visit http://www.sbluxuryrentals.com/

Travelers Encouraged to Book Early to Secure Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals This Summer

2010-03-20T15:32:00.000-07:00

As one of California's premier summer vacation spots, Santa Barbara offers something for everyone. With summer travel expected to rebound this year, you’ll want to book a Santa Barbara vacation home early to enjoy this popular vacation destination and all it has to offer.

With many industry experts predicting travel to rebound this summer, travelers are encouraged to book early to secure a Santa Barbara vacation rental home for their summer vacation.

In addition to spectacular beaches and mountainscapes, summer vacation in Santa Barbara boasts an abundance of fun and exciting events including music, multicultural, family-friendly, sporting, art, beach, wine and food events. These unique activities draw visitors from all over the world so you'll want to plan ahead to make the most of your Santa Barbara summer vacation.

People who value travel and look forward to the summer as an opportunity to spend time with their families tend to book their vacation rentals in Santa Barbara early. We even have guests who reserve their favorite Santa Barbara vacation rental a year in advance so they can return to the place where they’ve created so many great memories, only to create many more.

Santa Barbara vacation rentals are also growing in popularity as an ideal alternative to hotels, providing more room and amenities than a hotel room. For example, Santa Barbara beach home rentals offer unparalleled convenience for enjoying ocean breezes and spectacular views as well as convenient access to sand and surf.

Many Santa Barbara vacation rental homes are within walking distance to popular events and activities, plus a Santa Barbara vacation rental concierge can provide insider tips and help you get the most out of your vacation in Santa Barbara. Savvy travelers who know the benefits of planning ahead are already booking their Santa Barbara vacation rental homes now - before it’s too late.

Santa Barbara Luxury Rentals is your one stop source for high-end, fully-furnished vacation homes in Santa Barbara including private beach houses, California holiday villas, and large luxurious vacation homes. We strive to create a memorable vacation experience of the highest quality, giving all our guests the utmost consideration and quality service. To view our properties, visit http://www.sbluxuryrentals.com/ or call us directly at 800-715-8766.

Families Turn to Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals for Fun, Enriching and Affordable Spring Break Vacations

2010-02-25T16:03:00.000-08:00

Planning a Spring Break getaway for your family? While vacations can be notorious for breaking the family budget, many travelers are discovering that it is often more enjoyable and affordable to get away in the spring than during peak summer travel season.

One of the little known secrets to enjoying all the family-friendly activities that Santa Barbara has to offer – including great outdoor adventures, shopping, historical sites as well as cultural and educational opportunities designed for families – is being able to get twice the square footage for your family spring break vacation budget.

I know that when you have kids in school, your family spring break vacation has special meaning for you. And staying in a two- to three-bedroom beautifully appointed home (like Le Petit Chateau pictured here) offers more comfort, convenience and flexibility than a generic hotel room at a property that may not necessarily cater to you family's needs.

Santa Barbara vacation rentals can be the perfect solution for anyone looking to stretch their vacation budget - plus you can still enjoy a full range of hotel amenities including having the Santa Barbara vacation rentals concierge team assist in planning various family-friendly excursions in Santa Barbara.

Guests who have stayed in our beautifully appointed Santa Barbara vacation rental homes also like being able avoid the spring break crowds while enjoying the peace of mind of having a place where they can be at home with their kids without having to worry about bothering other guests.

Finally, it’s also important for families to book ahead if they want to secure a Santa Barbara vacation rental home for the exact week that they have off. There's nothing like returning home to your Santa Barbara vacation rental after enjoying all the fun and enriching activities offered in Santa Barbara that your family will cherish forever.

Visit our website to view our properties www.sbluxuryrentals.com or give us a call at 800-715-8766. We'd be delighted to assist you.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals Best Kept Secrets: Top 8 Family Spring Break Vacation Tips

2010-02-23T10:40:00.000-08:00

If you've got kids in school, your family spring break vacation has special meaning for you. The kids get a week off and it's probably the only real vacation they (and you) get during those six long months between the winter holidays and summer. Everyone needs a family spring break vacation. You've marked off the family's spring break vacation dates on your calendar months in advance, and everyone is jonesing to hit the road.

How can you make the most of this precious spring break? You want something fun, enriching and affodable. What you need for your family spring break vacation is a Santa Barbara vacation rental home. You can give your family a fantastic Santa Barbara spring break vacation for half the price of an expensive hotel with a Santa Barbara vacation rental. Here are the seven secret tips to planning a family spring break vacation so jam-packed with exploring the outdoors and the ocean as well as cultural, educational and family-friendly activities that your family will cherish forev

er.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals' Family Spring Break Vacation Tip #1 - Escape The Rowdy Crowd: The phrase "spring break vacation" conjures up TV news footage of drunken bashes and out of control college students trashing hotels. When

you're planning a family spring break vacation, party central is the last place you want to be. The simple way to avoid these rowdy spring break revelers is to go where they aren't. Santa Barbara is a great place to take your family on spring

break, and a Santa Barbara vacation rental is the ideal place to base your trip. (Enjoy privacy away from the crowds like in the Mykonos property featured here).

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals' Family Spring Break Vacation Tip #2 - Control Your Environment For Half The Cost: For a family, the simple tactical advantages of a Santa Barbara vacation rental are enormous. You get double the square footage for your family spring break vacation dollar. You get a two- to three-bedroom beautifully appointed home, instead of a generic hotel room with paper thin walls that will allow you and your children to hear everything the party animals are doing in the next room. (Aside from the noise level, there are some discussions you don't want to have with your young kids: "Mommy, what's a Jell-o shot?").

By using a Santa Barbara vacation rental home for your family spring break vacation, you control the environment. You share no walls, you have your own porch, your own backyard (like at Le Petit Chateau pictured here), your own place to breathe without having to keep an eye on questionable hotel guests.You have your own media center, your own big screen TV, a place where yo

u and your family can have all the loud fun and wholesome games you want without having to worry about someone banging on the wall. You get your choice of Santa Barbara vacation rental home each with its own view, unique style (Greek, Spanish Mission, Modern, Italian, French, etc.). Beyond doubling your family's spring break vacation space for the same money, a Santa Barbara vacation rental home has a unique character so your kids will recall the details of your family spring break vacation for years to come.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals' Family Spring Break Vacation Tip #3 - Santa Barbara Is Family Friendly Destination: A Santa Barbara vacation rental home is more than just gorgeous house to have spring break fun in. What makes a great Santa Barbara family spring break vacation is Santa Barbara itself. Santa Barbara has tons of family-friendly activities and events that come into bloom during spring break. Downtown Santa Barbara has glorious shopping, family-friendly restaurants, historical sites and galleries to explore. There are lots of places that are specifically designed for families. There are so many family friendly activities that many families come back to Santa Barbara year after year for their family spring break vacation.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals' Family Spring Break Vacation Tip #4 - Santa Barbara Makes It Easy To Find Unique Family-Friendly Events: Year round Santa Barbara is bursting with festivals, events, shows and activities. On any given weekend during your family spring break vacation you will be able to choose from a wide variety of family friendly events. To get a listing of all events go to http://www.santabarbara.com/calendar/. If you're looking for the latest in family friendly goings-on check out Santa Barbara Family's Calendar of Events: http://www.sbfamilylife.com/coe.htm or Santa Barbara Parent.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals' Family Spring Break Vacation Tip #5 - Explore The Outdoors: Santa Barbara has 300 days of sunshine a year, making it the perfect place to plan an outdoor family spring break vacation. Here are some of the most popular outdoor family spring break vacation activities:

• Bring your dog. Unlike many hotels, you can bring your dog to enjoy Santa Barbara vacation rentals along with you on your family spring break vacation.

• Walk along Santa Barbara's many beaches.

• Explore the grounds of the Santa Barbara Mission.

• If you want a lovely stroll, go to the Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens or the Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens. If you love orchids, the Santa Barbara Orchid Estate is a must-see attraction that draws orchid lovers from around the world.

• Find inner peace at Ganna Walska Lotusland

• The whole family can rent individual bikes to check out the many available bike trails or you can rent a fun, covered, four-person Surrey bike.

• If you love horses visit the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club or spend spring break horseback riding through the wilderness.

• Play Frisbee in the backyard of your Santa Barbara vacation rental home or in one of our many parks such as Alameda Park, Chase Palm Park (which has a Merry-Go-Round).

• Go camping.

• Day trips through the greater Southern California area (Oxnard, Ventura, Los Angeles, Hollywood, etc).

• Play tennis year round.

• Hike along the Santa Ynez Mountains or along the beach. No matter which Santa Barbara vacation rental home you choose for your family spring break vacation, you're not far from a hiking trail.

• If you've got skaters in your family, Skater's Point is Santa Barbara's rocking skateboard park.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals' Family Spring Break Vacation Tip #6 - That Big Blue Wet Ocean Thingy Can Be Fun: Your Santa Barbara vacation rental home is never far away from something the natives like to call the Pacific Ocean. While the rest of the country may still be shivering in the cold, your family spring break vacation is the perfect time to enjoy seaside fun such as:

• Santa Barbara has many of California's best beaches: Arroyo Burro Beach, Goleta Beach, East Beach, Leadbetter Beach. Butterfly Beach (a little hard to find) is where the locals go to have a great beach experience.

• Cruise Santa Barbara's beautiful waterfront on the Santa Barbara Water Taxi.

• Boat lovers can go to the Yacht Club, charter a boat or do some sport fishing.

• If you'd love to see what spring looks like under the sea, you can get supervised scuba diving and snorkeling lessons.

• Grab your wet suit and go surfing.

• Fishing is popular at the many lakes and ocean fishing is also available to give your family an unforgettable adventure.

• For those of you with older children looking for spring break adventure, Santa Barbara is great for kayaking where your kid can get up close with dolphins, sea lions and more.

• There is no better place on the coast for whale watching than the Santa Barbara Channel.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals' Family Spring Break Vacation Tip #7 - Don't Tell The Kids They're Learning: The deep dark secret of a Santa Barbara family spring break vacation is that you can turn off your brain, but you don't have to. There are plenty of cultural and educational opportunities you can enjoy on your family spring break vacation:

• Take the trolley tour, which will teach you the history of Santa Barbara in 90 fun-filled minutes.

• The Ty Warner Sea Center is a great place for hands-on science.

• Visit the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History.

• Santa Barbara's Zoological Gardens is one of the best small zoos in the country.

• For the museum minded, explore the Contemporary Arts Forum, El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park, Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum, The Museum of Art, South Coast Railroad Museum, the UCSB Art Museum.

• For evening fun you have your choice of theaters playing comedies, musicals and dramas.

• In addition to Santa Barbara's thriving music scene you can listen to the symphony, chamber orchestra, choral society and more.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals' Family Spring Break Vacation Tip #8 - You Don't Have To Stay With The Kids The Whole Time: Finally, if you want to take a spring break from your own children, the concierge of your Santa Barbara vacation rental home can arrange to have your kids entertained by experienced (and vetted) professional babysitters. While your kids are having fun with one of the baby sitters, you can explore the other side of Santa Barbara, one of the most romantic destinations on the planet.

Your Santa Barbara family spring break vacation will be the highlights of your year, a cherished memory that will last a lifetime. Families fall in love with their Santa Barbara vacation rental home and keep coming back year after year, sometimes stretching into the third generation. That's the best kind of family spring break vacation, the one that keeps giving long after you leave.

For more information on high-end, fully-furnished vacation rentals in Santa Barbara - including private beach houses, California holiday villas, and large luxurious vacation homes - visit www.sbluxuryrentals.com or call 800-715-8766.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals Best Kept Secrets: Top 7 Romantic Santa Barbara Getaway Tips

2010-01-28T16:15:00.000-08:00

Creating the ultimate Santa Barbara romantic getaway for half the price of a luxury hotel is easy with Santa Barbara vacation rentals. The challenge is planning a romantic Santa Barbara getaway for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, honeymoons or that special retreat you'll never forget. For that you'll need these romantic Santa Barbara insider secrets.

As fairy-tale destinations for lovers go, a romantic Santa Barbara getaway tops the list. From scenic Stearns Wharf and the beautiful Santa Barbara Mission to the tree-lined State Street shopping district and glorious sandy beaches, renowned wineries, spas and art galleries, a romantic Santa Barbara getaway is just what the doctor ordered. And Santa Barbara vacation rentals can help you create the special retreat for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, honeymoons or that dreamy romantic tryst you’ll remember for the rest of your lives.

Travel writers have waxed rhapsodic about many romantic Santa Barbara activities but instead of a simple list of romantic tourist attractions (I’ve included those at the end), these tips will help you create the ultimate romantic Santa Barbara getaway.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals' Romantic Santa Barbara Getaway Tip #1: How to compose your perfect Santa Barbara love symphony
Planning the ultimate romantic Santa Barbara getaway is easy. Romantic Santa Barbara offers a full orchestra of locales and activities at your disposal. All you have to do is compose the most romantic Santa Barbara getaway for your beloved. As with any great piece of music, the secret to a romantic Santa Barbara getaway is varying the pacing.
Mix slow leisurely beach walks (or art gallery walks, if you prefer) with high-energy activities like dancing. Start with lyrical passages like getting a massage at a local spa. Up the tempo with an invigorating horseback ride. Build to a romantic crescendo with a candlelit dinner at a fine restaurant. Then segue over to a passionate evening of poetry reading (or whatever else comes to mind).

One of the best ways to pull off a memorable romantic Santa Barbara getaway is to get a Santa Barbara vacation rental home (like the Mykonos Villas pictured here). A musical masterpiece should be played in a venue worthy of it. But beyond a great showplace, picking the right Santa Barbara vacation rental home can inspire romantic activities based just on the location. A Santa Barbara vacation home gives you so much more opportunity to create great romantic moments than an anonymous hotel room.

Imagine your Santa Barbara vacation rental home just steps away from Shoreline Park and the sand, with easy access to Ledbetter Beach. When you stay at a Santa Barbara vacation rental you can enjoy a morning stroll through the park. There is also a children’s playground and seating areas for afternoon BBQs in the sun. Watch the surfers at the beach, take a walk through the harbor area, and enjoy the oceanfront atmosphere of beautiful downtown Santa Barbara.

The physical layout of a Santa Barbra vacation rental home is also important. For example, imagine the relaxing you can do on your own private rooftop patio with incredible views of Shoreline Park and the Pacific ocean in both directions. Each individual feature of a Santa Barbra vacation rental home is a piece of music waiting to happen.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals' Romantic Santa Barbara Getaway Tip #2: Set the stage for love
The best way to enjoy a romantic Santa Barbara getaway is to completely control your environment so that you can set the stage for love. Santa Barbara vacation rentals can help with this. A Santa Barbara vacation rental home costs half as much as a luxury hotel for more than twice the square footage, plus you have an outside oasis all your own.

With a romantic Santa Barbara vacation rental home, you can drop a trail of rose petals, light all the candles you want, even light a roaring fire in the fireplace. Almost every romantic Santa Barbara vacation rental home has a multimedia system to play any mood music you like.

One of the best ways to set the scene is to choose a romantic Santa Barbara vacation rental that fits your mood or style. If the sound of waves crashing on the shore causes insomnia, maybe you’d prefer a home on a beautiful tree lined street in Montecito. You’ll still be close enough to enjoy the beach, but you’ll also have easier access to shopping and fine dining. Instead of going out, maybe you’d like to cook on a gas BBQ grill and relax with your honey in a hammock.

Santa Barbara vacation rentals offer concierge service to help you set the scene according to your specifications before you arrive. The dedicated Santa Barbara vacation rental concierge staff will have your favorite wines, food and flowers ready for you and will even arrange for your personally selected mood music to be playing when you arrive. This perfect "Wow!" moment is priceless. Prepare to pick your beloved's jaw up off the floor.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals' Romantic Santa Barbara Getaway Tip #3: Rule your personal love nest. With a Santa Barbara vacation rental home, you won't have to worry about hotel conventioneers making lots of noise or crowding out all your romantic moments. You control the environment. Instead of a noisy hotel, imagine your own private villa with outside decks (like the Santa Barbara Oceanview pictured here) , including a "living roof" terrace, a fireplace, a fountain and 360-degree views of the ocean, mountains, Santa Barbara Harbor, Mission and Riviera. It is like having all of the beauty and amenities of a luxury hotel, but all the privacy of a private home.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals' Romantic Santa Barbara Getaway Tip #4: Enjoy Santa Barbara's top flight hotel amenities at half the cost.
The San Ysidro Ranch has often been called Santa Barbara's most romantic hotel. Take your significant other to the Ranch to walk the grounds and eat at their delicious and headily romantic Stonehouse restaurant. You can enjoy the ambiance of the hotel, but enjoy a beautiful nearby Santa Barbara vacation rental home for half the price.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals' Romantic Santa Barbara Getaway Tip #5: Have the best of Santa Barbara come to you
Once you arrive at a Santa Barbara vacation rental home for your romantic Santa Barbara getaway, you don't have to leave it. You can have the best of romantic Santa Barbara come to you. Many of Santa Barbara's finest restaurants will cater your romantic dinner in your very own Santa Barbara vacation rental home. Santa Barbara vacation rentals also offer in-home massage and spa treatment services.

Let a Santa Barbara vacation rentals concierge team arrange to bring the very best of Santa Barbara to your door. Although Santa Barbara has a lot of outside activities to enjoy, sometimes it is the inside activities that visitors remember best from a romantic Santa Barbara getaway.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals' Romantic Santa Barbara Getaway Tip #6: The way to a lover's heart is through the stomach
If your honey is a foodie, you don't have to book a worldwide cruise. Santa Barbara has cuisine from all over the world. You can sample an English breakfast, then an Asian lunch and finally a seven-course French dinner. While some of the area's finer restaurants (such as the Four Seasons Biltmore) may require reservations well in advance for your romantic Santa Barbara dinner, you can often get an equally romantic lunch reservation the same day.

To make sure your gourmet trek is flawless, engage the Santa Barbara vacation rentals concierge to make all the arrangements. Not only will the concierge know all the best places, but they might be able to get you a deal or an elusive reservation at the impossible-to-get-into restaurant your beloved would love to try.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals' Romantic Santa Barbara Getaway Tip #7: Surprise is on your side.
One of my favorite romantic Santa Barbara getaway stories is about a husband who secretly booked a Santa Barbara vacation rental home as a surprise for his wife. The husband asked one of her friends who lived in Santa Barbara take her out to lunch, while he secretly checked into the romantic Santa Barbara vacation rental home. After lunch the friend followed the husband’s instructions and asked the wife to look at a Santa Barbara vacation rental home the friend said she was interested in buying. When they walked in to inspect the property, her husband was there and announced to his shocked wife that he was surprising her with a romantic vacation.

Don't feel you have to cram every activity into one romantic Santa Barbara getaway. There's one thing better than your first romantic Santa Barbara getaway, and that’s returning to your Santa Barbara vacation rental home for your second romantic Santa Barbara getaway.

Helpful links for romantic Santa Barbara getaways:

Santa Barbara's Top 10 Places To Swoon Over: http://www.lovetripper.com/issues/issue-44/santa-barbara-top-10.html

Amour Along the American Riviera: http://www.lovetripper.com/issues/issue-44/santa-barbara-romantics.html
Santa Barbara Romantic Attractions and Things To Do for Couples: http://attractions.uptake.com/california/santa_barbara/romantic/182341388.html
101 Free Things To Do In Santa Barbara: http://travel.latimes.com/daily-deal-blog/index.php/101-free-things-to-d-351/
Santa Barbara Nude Beaches: http://gocalifornia.about.com/cs/clothingoptional/l/bl_nb_ctysb.htm
Fun Things For Couples To Do In Santa Barbara: http://www.essortment.com/travel/funthingscoupl_tuil.htm
Santa Barbara Romantic Things to Do: http://www.eromance.com/travel/things-to-do-in-santa-barbara.html

For more information on high-end, fully-furnished vacation rentals in Santa Barbara - including private beach houses, California holiday villas, and large luxurious vacation homes - visit www.sbluxuryrentals.com or call 800-715-8766.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals Help You Plan an Affordable Romantic Getaway

2010-01-19T11:41:00.000-08:00

This year, create the ultimate Santa Barbara romantic getaway for half the price of a luxury hotel with insider Santa Barbara vacation rentals tips for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, honeymoons and other unforgettable romantic getaways!

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, couples planning a romantic getaway on a budget don’t have to compromise on comfort, privacy or amenities when booking accommodations for their unforgettable retreat. Romance doesn't have to cost you an arm and a leg: just check out the Mykonos Villa (pictured above).

Santa Barbara vacation rentals can cost half as much as a luxury hotel for more than twice the square footage, plus you can also enjoy an outside oasis all your own. It’s the perfect solution for anyone looking for romance on a budget because you can still enjoy a full range of hotel amenities including having the Santa Barbara vacation rentals concierge team assist in planning your Santa Barbara romantic getaway. Stay at our SB Oceanview house and breathe in the fresh sea air while knowing that our concierge team is ready to tend to your every need.

We also offer concierge service to help you set the scene for romance according to your specifications, including having your favorite wines, food and flowers ready for you and arranging to bring the very best of Santa Barbara to your door.

Additionally, insider tips can also help couples enjoy top-flight hotel amenities at a fraction of the cost. Santa Barbara vacation rental guests often enjoy taking in the ambiance at the San Ysidro Ranch, which has been called Santa Barbara's most romantic hotel, by walking the grounds or dining at their romantic Stonehouse restaurant. And then they go home to their very own beautiful, private nearby Santa Barbara vacation rental home for half the price of a hotel room.

Ultimately, it’s like having all of the beauty and amenities of a luxury hotel, but all the privacy of a private home for your most romantic day of the year. We understand how priceless these special memories are to our guests and can help you create a special retreat for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, honeymoons or that dreamy romantic getaway you’ll remember for the rest of your lives.

Visit www.sbluxuryrentals.com to view our high-end, fully-furnished vacation rentals in Santa Barbara - including private beach houses, California holiday villas, and large luxurious vacation homes - or call 800-715-8766. We'd be delighted to assist you!

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals Best Kept Secrets: 10 Reasons To Choose a Vacation Home Over Pricey Santa Barbara Hotel Rooms

2009-12-28T15:54:00.000-08:00

I've blogged before about how you can rent a luxury Santa Barbara vacation rental property at a fraction of the cost of a ho tel - which makes it possible to travel with more friends and family – as well as travel more frequently!

I've compiled our Top 10 reasons why renting a Santa Barbara vacation home (like the Anacapa Penthouse pictured here) makes sense for travelers looking for comfort, convenience and value.

Whether your Santa Barbara vacation home is just for two, or an entire wedding party, a Santa Barbara vacation rental is such an outstanding value that it changes the very economics of travel.

1) With a Santa Barbara vacation rental, you get six times more space for the same cost
On square footage alone, you get on average six times more bang for your buck with a Santa Barbara vacation home than a single room in a high-end Santa Barbara hotel. For value, there is no contest.

2) With a Santa Barbara vacation rental, character is destiny
We've all been in generic, forgettable small hotel rooms. Santa Barbara vacation rentals are your vacation home. Each villa has a unique view and a character all its own. How many hotel rooms have private fireplaces, oceanside decks or mountain view lawns? These Santa Barbara vacation homes are finely decorated in a way that will inspire memories.

3) With a Santa Barbara vacation rental, there are no crowds
In your Santa Barbara vacation r ental you won't ever have to wait in line for parking, the check-in line in the lobby or all the other places you can get crushed by a thousand fellow hotel guests. With Santa Barbara vacation rentals, you don’t have to deal with crowds at every turn.

4) With a Santa Barbara vacation rental, privacy is paramount
If you want to have a romantic rendezvous, you are free from prying eyes. Likewise, if you are arranging a business deal that requires discretion, a Santa Barbara vacation rental is a much more controllable environment.

5) With a Santa Barbara vacation rental, there is no waiting for fine dining
Every home has a fully equipped kitchen so you'll never have to wait in line behind a velvet rope. Whether you want to prepare a bowl of cereal, a romantic dinner for two or prepare for a full dinner party, a Santa Barbara vacation rental has an open kitchen that lets you show off your culinary artistry. (There is also catering available.)

6) With a Santa Barbara vacation rental, you can entertain in style without fussing in your own home
You want to entertain in style but your house isn't up to the challenge without an 18-person cleaning crew? A Santa Barbara vacation rental gives you a picture perfect palace that your guests will always remember.

7) With a Santa Barbara vacation rental, there is room for your entire party
When far-flung friends or family members meet at a hotel, they can get lost in the throng. If you stay at a Santa Barbara vacation rental, you'll have all the benefits of home without the headaches. You can spend time together swapping stories, sitting together reading or running around on the lawn playing games. You own the place. Do whatever you want in your Santa Barbara vacation rental home.

8) With a Santa Barbara vacation rental, your schedule is your own
Want to have a three-hour meal? Want to use the exercise equipment without waiting? Want to dip into the private hot tub at 3 a.m.? You decide. With a Santa Barbara vacation rental, the place and the timing of every detail are all yours.

9) With a Santa Barbara vacation rental, you have a safe, kid-friendly home that's free from twitchy business travelers
If you travel with children, you are tired of constantly apologizing to or keeping a wary eye on other hotel guests. You can never truly relax. In a Santa Barbara vacation rental, your kids can do what they want and you can breathe easy.

10) With a Santa Barbara vacation rental, you can be as noisy or noise-free as you want
Even the finest hotels can have paper-thin walls. You often hear everything the other guests are doing and vice vera, they hear you. With a Santa Barbara vacation rental, you can watch the big game on a large flat panel TV, and cheer your team on to victory. You can sing Karaoke at the top of your lungs. You can play touch football in the yard and no one will complain.

So after saving lots of money with your Santa Barbara vacation rental, not only can you travel to more new places but you can also enjoy the best kind of vacation. And you will always look forward to a return trip to your very own Santa Barbara vacation home.

Visit www.sbluxuryrentals.com to view our high-end, fully-furnished vacation rentals in Santa Barbara - including private beach houses, California holiday villas, and large luxurious vacation homes - or call 800-715-8766. We'd be delighted to assist you!

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals Offer Off-Season Discounts for Travelers in Search of Winter Sun

2009-12-14T16:17:00.000-08:00

While the holiday season can be an expensive time to travel, it’s also one of the best times to take advantage of off-season deals, especially since winter can be a slow season for vacation-home rentals.

However, when taking advantage of winter travel discounts, its important to keep in mind that many destinations have slow periods due to inclement weather or other unfavorable conditions that preclude visitors from enjoying the destination’s top attractions or activities.

The most common reason for off-season deals is unfavorable weather conditions. However Santa Barbara offers a comfortable and temperate climate year round so you can still enjoy all the seaside city has to offer while paying less for your wintertime getaway when you stay in vacation rentals in Santa Barbara.

Even popular travel destinations like Santa Barbara experience an ebb and flow of visitors with the seasons. We recommends calling our Santa Barbara vacation rentals company directly to find out about off-season deals that can help significantly slash vacation costs.

Santa Barbara vacation rentals offer a great way to enjoy the winter sun on a budget. At the 5-bedroom Vista Riviera (pictured here), guests can take in views of the ocean and city and enjoy soaking in the private pool or relaxing in the sauna. They can also take advantage of all the amenities of a luxury hotel including pre-arrival grocery, in-room spa treatments, and other concierge services.

If you have a few extra days off from work, you’d be surprised at the last-minute travel deals you can get on airfare and accommodations during the holidays. Combine that with off-season discounts on luxury vacation homes in Santa Barbara and you’ll find that it’s actually possible to getaway and soak up the sun for less!

Visit our website to view our properties www.sbluxuryrentals.com or give us a call at 800-715-8766. We'd be delighted to assist you.

Featured New Santa Barbara Vacation Rental: Riviera Oceanview Retreat

2009-12-02T14:07:00.000-08:00

Santa Barbara Luxury Rentals is proud to introduce our newest Vacation Home in Santa Barbara. The Riviera Oceanview Retreat is a gorgeous 5 bedroom home in the hillside Riviera neighborhood that overlooks the city and harbor. This spectacular, one of a kind property allows guests an experience of Santa Barbara living at its finest. Newly remodeled and restored to the original design of architect and artist Joseph Plunkett, with all the modern upgrades and amenities that one would expect in a luxury home, this incredible home embodies the best of both worlds. Beauty and charm, comfort and quality, with the best ocean views that Santa Barbara has to offer.

Offering 4600 square feet of living space on two levels, the main house is artfully designed and decorated, with no expense spared. The lower level boasts walnut hardwood floors and original Spanish tile. Upon entry to the house the great room (pictured left) opens up to a lovely seating area, complete with a 40 inch plasma television above the wood burning fireplace and a breakfast nook that seats six. The adjoining kitchen is a chef’s dream come true, with a 60 inch Wolf range, Sub Zero fridge and state of the art appliances. Featuring custom cabinetry and Italian marble counter tops, the fully stocked gourmet kitchen will beautifully accent every meal. The adjacent formal dining room seats up to 10 people comfortably. The family room features a lovely seating area and is adjacent to the media room/library (pictured right), which features a 50 inch plasma television and wood burning fireplace.

Three bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms comprise the upper level, which features designer carpeting and views from every bedroom. The master suite offers a king size bed and a private balcony to enjoy a glass of wine or morning cup of coffee. Leading into the master suite is a private sitting room (pictured below) with a 40 inch plasma, cozy sofa and large desk. The master bath features marble tiles, radiant heating, a large tub and dual sinks. Two additional guest bedrooms feature queen size beds.

The separate guest house offers one bedroom that looks out to the courtyard fountain, and a private sitting room overlooking the pool. Complete with a bathroom and wet bar these accommodations will create a memorable experience for every guest. A beautiful terrace sits between the main house and the guest house, featuring an outdoor dining table and comfortable seating area with an outdoor fireplace. The swimming pool (pictured below) has a nearby pool house with a conveniently located half bathroom for swimmers.Nestled in the hillside neighborhood of the Riviera, the unobstructed views of the ocean and harbor are unparalleled. Nearly every room in this gorgeous home offers fantastic views…you’ll find yourself anticipating your return to this incredible Santa Barbara Vacation Rental every time you leave. With the gorgeous grounds, fantastic furnishings and the inviting pool and spa, you might just spend your entire vacation at the Riviera Oceanview Retreat and still feel like you did not miss a thing! Come experience the Santa Barbara lifestyle for yourself in this beautifully appointed vacation home.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals Offer Stress-Free Christmas and Holiday Getaways to California

2009-11-20T19:04:00.000-08:00

This holiday season, snowbirds, families, and vacationers alike are headed south to enjoy affordable and luxurious accommodations in Santa Barbara vacation rentals.

For a growing number of travelers, going home for the holidays means celebrating with loved ones at a sunny and exotic home away from home. While snowbirds have always enjoyed heading south for the winter, more travelers than ever choosing to get away and enjoy sun-filled beach vacations during the holiday season.

Santa Barbara vacation rentals makes it easy to vacation with the entire family during the holidays. Our spacious holiday villas (like the Ocean Oasis pictured below) and private beach properties can house several generations of family members comfortably under one roof at an affordable price. Plus you can enjoy hotel amenities including pre-arrival grocery, in-room spa treatments, and other concierge services that can help you take advantage of all Santa Barbara has to offer.

When spending the holidays away from home, our guests often pack decorations or a few special items to help bring their family traditions and rituals with them. Many of our clients also start new traditions by planning on returning to Santa Barbara every year for truly relaxing getaways that allow them to leave all their stresses behind.

Santa Barbara vacation rentals can also alleviate any burden on relatives who need to house out of town guests during the holidays. Whether you are escaping the cold, taking a much-needed break or visiting relatives in town, Santa Barbara vacation homes offer a great opportunity to relax in comfort and luxury while celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas, or the New Year.

Enjoying a beach vacation lets you soak up the sun and take in ocean breezes in the middle of the winter. Sharing that experience with your loved ones can be priceless – and that’s certainly something to be thankful for this holiday season.

Visit our website to view our properties www.sbluxuryrentals.com or give us a call at 800-715-8766. We'd be delighted to assist you.

Santa Barbara Vacation Homes Featured in the Vendor Spotlight

2009-11-11T15:51:00.000-08:00

Santa Barbara Luxury Rentals is proud to be featured in the Vendor Spotlight by local event designer and wedding planner Kelly Oshiro. Kelly's Santa Barbara Chic Blog is a wealth of information and beauty. Having worked with countless brides arranging every detail of their special day, Kelly knows that finding suitable accommodations for out of town guests can be a daunting task. Santa Barbara Vacation Homes are the perfect option for friends and family who would like to stay in the same central area but are hoping for a more warm and inviting place to be than a hotel. The Anacapa Villas and Penthouses provide just that. With three 3 bedroom Mediterranean style Villas and two 2 bedroom modern contemporary Penthouses, the property can accommodate over 30 guests at the same location. These vacation rentals in Santa Barbara provide more than just accommodations. A large, private flat within the building can be rented separately to host rehearsal dinners and cocktail parties to welcome their guests. Casa Perla features 3500 sq ft of space, a gourmet kitchen for your catering needs, and a private patio to enjoy the warm nights. Package deals available now through Santa Barbara Luxury Rentals...call now to inquire.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals’ Concierge Services Helps You Make the Most of Your Holidays

2009-10-23T15:20:00.000-07:00

It’s no secret that Santa Barbara vacation rentals are growing in popularity as a great cost-effective alternative to booking traditional hotel accommodations. However, what many travelers are still discovering is that in addition to enjoying more living space, they can take advantage of added benefits including a full range of concierge services for all your vacation needs.

We offer a wide array of hotel amenities and provide a unique experience for travelers who can enjoy professional, courteous and personal service from a dedicated concierge staff that assists guests with whatever they may need during their stay, including dining recommendations, entertainment bookings, pre-arrival grocery delivery, in-room spa treatments, and more.

Santa Barbara vacation rental concierge services can play a key role in ensuring that guests have the perfect holiday experience, from arrival to departure. While it’s crucial for a concierge staff to offer invaluable local information and know the area like the backs of their hands, it’s also important that they’re committed to assisting guests every step of the way to help them create memorable vacation experiences.

Our concierge staff works so closely with our renters that we’ve been known to personally take guests out on hikes and even meet with them for breakfast or dinner. In addition to stocking groceries before you arrive at your Santa Barbara vacation home and assisting with spa appointments and golf and wine tour reservations, our team regularly goes out of their way to help visitors coming to Santa Barbara plan a great trip.

We always tell our guests that if they arrive and find that the home is lacking anything that they need, to call us so we can help them out. We want you to be comfortable and relaxed from the moment you arrive at you home away from home.

Check out Santa Barbara Luxury Rentals' full range of concierge services. Our personal and professional concierge staff dedicated to making your Santa Barbara vacation rental experience perfect from start to finish. Visit our website to view our properties www.sbluxuryrentals.com or give us a call at 800-715-8766. We'd be delighted to assist you.

Featured Santa Barbara Vacation Rental: Rosemary Cottage

2009-10-05T19:04:00.000-07:00

The Rosemary Cottage is a charming Santa Barbara vacation home located in the foothills of Montecito. While oceanfront vacation rentals in Santa Barbara have the undisputed advantage of being within walking distance to the beach, shops and restaurants, many vacationers are looking for a quiet place to relax and renew themselves. Isn't that why so many of us look forward to our vacations for months before the actual departure date? For those folks who prefer a quiet, peaceful location, you need look no further than our Rosemary Cottage (pictured above).

This beautiful Santa Barbara vacation rental offers three bedrooms and two and half baths. With hardwood floors throughout the house and incredible interior decorating, the Rosemary Cottage exemplifies the comfortable, tasteful appeal of shabby-chic decor. The quiet lane on which it sits is actually quite famous for its architecture and style, as it features many homes designed by the Moody Sisters. Taking a short walk in this lovely residential neighborhood proves to be a whimsical experience all in itself.

For years, guests have been raving about their stays in this lovely Santa Barbara vacation home. Danielle Gooderham wrote "Our stay at the Rosemary Cottage was wonderful!! Everything was just as it was represented. So many times you find a rental not up to the standards that are promised - not the case here. Our family/friends would come back here in a heartbeat!!!" The Simonians fell in love with the decor: "Your house is beautiful and first class decorating everywhere. The kitchen is gorgeous." The kitchen (pictured right) is indeed quite spectacular, and a cook's dream. The outdoor patio features a long table for dining al fresco, and a patio heater to keep you warm on chilly winter nights. This Santa Barbara vacation rental is a wonderful taste of Montecito living...Call us today to find out about availability. Mention this blog and receive a 15% discount on any week that you book.

Epicureans delight in Food, Wine and Santa Barbara Vacation Homes

2009-09-30T18:41:00.000-07:00

Food and wine enthusiasts have something to look forward to this coming month with Epicure * SB, a 31 day culinary adventure. The calendar month of October is filled with events hosted by local restaurants, wineries, bookstores and galleries in celebration of the bounties of autumn. It all starts tomorrow, October 1st. Explore the world of coffee and chocolate at The French Press, or a free tasting of premium tequila at Blue Agave. Each Tuesday one of our local restaurants will feature a Chefs & Winemakers Dinner Series, pairing four courses with California wines. Bouchon, one of Santa Barbara's best restaurants, will kick the series off on Tuesday, August 6th. Downey's, another local fine dining establishment, will be offering a four-course tasting menu all month long.

With so much to see and do (not to mention eat and drink), there will be no lack of good reasons to make a trip to Santa Barbara. Our Santa Barbara Vacation Homes will be available for nightly, weekly and monthly stays. Just mention Epicure SB and receive a 20% discount at one of our Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals in October. The terrace off Casa Topacio (one of our Anacapa Penthouses, pictured above) is the perfect place to enjoy your newly purchased bottle of wine in the afternoon light. Fall is finally here, and it's marvelous...

New Noise Attendees Find a Home Away From Home in Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals

2009-09-25T12:08:00.001-07:00

The Music Industry is coming to Santa Barbara! New Noise Santa Barbara is hosting its inaugural event October 8-10th, featuring live music and educational panel topics that cover everything from how to get your band noticed to how to make your concert or venue more environmentally responsible. This three-day music and digital media conference will showcase emerging and established bands, present esteemed experts from all walks of the business, and serve as a meeting place for big and small players in the industry to connect and plot the future of sound.

People from all over the country will be attending this three-day event, and one can only surmise that its success and influence will be far-reaching. For those who are coming from afar to attend the conference, Santa Barbara Luxury Rentals is offering 20% off one of our vacation homes in Santa Barbara with the mention of New Noise. Keynote Speaker Jay Faires recently spent his time in Santa Barbara at our own Montecito Cottage (pictured right). This Santa Barbara Vacation Rental is just one block from the Miramar beach and features an extraordinary yard filled with lush foliage and large trees. A variety of options await all you music lovers, as does the gifted Michael Franti, who will be playing with Spearhead at the Arlington Theatre on October 8th.

Website Features an Insiders Guide to Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals and More

2009-09-22T13:16:00.000-07:00

Everyone has experienced the trepidations of vacationing in a new place. What is the best area to search for lodging? Which restaurants are good and which are just tourist traps? What local events are worth attending? The website www.SBDigs.com is an insiders guide to Santa Barbara living and answers many of these questions for travelers. Santa Barbara Luxury Rentals is proud to be featured as the premiere Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals provider. SB Digs features such beautiful homes as Mykonos (pictured), our 2 bedroom home in the coveted West Beach area, and Vista Riviera, a spectacular 5 bedroom home with a swimming pool, spa and views of the city and harbor. Leave the guess work out of your vacation and let SB Digs do the legwork for you!

Planning a Santa Barbara Wedding? Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals Provide Affordable Alternatives to Hotels for Destination Weddings

2009-09-22T11:04:00.000-07:00

We recently blogged about Julie Ponser's Santa Barbara wedding and how she arranged for her friends and family to stay in Casa Bella (pictured here) and Casa Linda - two newly remodeled Montecito vacation homes, each offering 3 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms, situated right next to each other - perfect for her family members, wedding party, and guests desiring both proximity and privacy.

For Julie, Santa Barbara Luxury Rentals was the perfect solution offering all the comforts of home plus full-service amenities for a fraction of the price of a hotel stay in one of California’s most popular wedding destinations

With its mild climate year round, Santa Barbara is a top wedding destination offering memorable settings with picturesque backdrops of both the Santa Ynez mountains and the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. And for couples planning destination weddings, Santa Barbara vacation rentals offer affordable, comfortable and flexible accommodations for their wedding guests.

We know it can be an imposition to ask your wedding guests to stay at a Santa Barbara hotel that can cost upwards of $300 a night. For a fraction of the price of a hotel, staying in our Santa Barbara vacation homes can also offer your friends and family more flexibility during their stay.

Our clients also enjoy Santa Barbara vacation rentals because they provide all the comforts of home plus hotel amenities like in-room spa treatments and concierge services. The 2,100 square foot homes that Posner rented for her sister’s Santa Barbara wedding turned out to be the perfect solution for her out-of-town guests, who enjoyed the great location just one block from the beach by the Four Seasons Biltmore Hotel.

To learn more about booking a Sa nta Barbara vacation rental for your destination wedding, please visit our website: www.sbluxuryrentals.com or give us a call at 800-715-8766. We'd be delighted to assist you.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals for All Occasions

2009-09-21T12:54:00.000-07:00

This past spring we had the pleasure of hosting Julie Posner and her family at our Montecito Casas, two 3 bedroom homes located right next to each other in the heart of beachside area of Montecito. Casa Bella (pictured to the right) and Casa Linda are conveniently located two blocks from the beach and walking distance to Coast Village Road. These two Santa Barbara vacation homes can be rented separately, or concurrently to host larger groups and extended families.

The setup worked just perfectly for Julie and her family. " I am so thankful that we found the Casas to use as my family's home base for my sister's destination wedding in Santa Barbara this past spring. I cannot begin to express how comforting it was for my parents to have a beautiful home to host visits with friends and family over the course of the wedding week. The location is
ideal--very easy to find off the freeway, and just a short walk to the beaches, restaurants, and shops of Montecito. Having two side-by-side, yet separate homes in this prime location allowed both families to enjoy quality time together, yet also easily enjoy our own free time. Working with Santa Barbara Luxury Rentals helped make my sister's wedding week a dream come true! The visit was so pleasurable that we have since been back to the Casas twice...and cannot wait for our next visit. Thank you Santa Barbara Luxury Rentals for making our experience so amazing!" Julie Posner (pictured left with her sister) recently celebrated her 5th year anniversary at Casa Linda, which has become, in her own words, their "home away from home." Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals truly are ideal getaways for celebrating special occasions of all types.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals Create the Ultimate Setting for Weddings

2009-09-09T23:34:00.000-07:00

Summer time in Santa Barbara is peak season for weddings. But those who are familiar with our fabulous fall weather know that September is often the best month of the year. Warm days and balmy nights encourage outdoor ceremonies and receptions in a setting both beautiful and comfortable. Santa Barbara Vacation Homes and Estates provide privacy and intimacy for friends and families to enjoy the special time together. Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals create a comfortable and relaxed environment for families to spend the days or week surrounding the big day. Properties such as the Anacapa Villas and Montecito Casas offer multiple homes in close proximity, where guests can experience privacy as well as the convenience of being just a few steps away from their loved ones.

Local wedding planner Kelly Oshiro knows the importance of an intimate setting and personalized experience. Her amazing Santa Barbara Wedding Chic Blog is dedicated as much to inspiration as it is to information. Kelly brings her incredible attention to detail and her savvy sense of style to every event she plans. Pure Joy Catering brings 26 years of culinary experience, as well as full service wedding planning, to the Santa Barbara area. Not only can you expect excellent cuisine and service from Pure Joy Catering, you can expect them to do their part to protect the environment with their green efforts. With so many knowledgeable vendors and such a beautiful environment, Santa Barbara has proved itself to be one of the most sought after wedding destinations in the country. Come see what all the buzz is about!

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals Offers Dog-Friendly Accommodations in One of California's Most Pet-Friendly Destinations

2009-08-19T09:55:00.000-07:00

There are so many reasons to travel with your pet to Santa Barbara, a city that offers many dog-friendly places and activities to enjoy with your canine companion. Traveling with your dog can greatly enhance the holiday experience for the whole family. And pet-frien dly accommodations offered by Santa Barbara Luxury Rentals makes it possible to travel with your dog in comfort while enjoying peace of mind on a vacation truly designed for the entire family.

Across the nation, many pet owners are choosing to vacation with their furry friends. According to a study by Travel Industry Association of America there are 62 million dog owners in the country with 29 million who travel with their dogs.

When traveling to a pet-friendly destination like Santa Barbara, vacationers should really consider taking their pets with them instead of boarding them or hiring a pet sitter. Pet travel makes it possible to avoid the separation anxiety that many pets suffer from and can actually save you money since boarding an animal can cost about $40 a day, which can quickly add up to an additional $560 over a two-week stay.

So many people consider their pets to be part of the family and that's why we offer a variety of high-end, pet-friendly vacation homes like Le Petit Chateau pictured here. It’s our most popular pet-friendly properties because it has an enclosed yard, a doggy door, and is just a couple blocks from Hendry’s- Santa Barbara's popular off-leash dog beach.

People love bringing their pets with them to stay at our vacation rentals in Santa Barbara because they feel that they are truly able to share the holiday experience with their entire family – four-legged members included. We've received great feedback

from our guests who have been able to enjoy their holidays more knowing that their pets a

re safe and comfortable in their vacation homes.

It is understandably more difficult for hotels to implement pet-friendly policies since it’s complicated to welcome dogs into shared spaces where some guests may have allergies or other considerations that prevent them from being around animals. Our Santa Barbara vacation rentals are unique because they are private and unshared with other guests so if people want to enjoy our rental properties with their pets they can - just as if they were in their own home.

Pet Friendly Rentals Provide A Vacation For The Whole Family

2009-08-17T19:42:00.000-07:00

What family vacation would be complete without the inclusion of the family dog? Travelers with pets often find themselves in this predicament, and the issues that often arise as a result of this quandary can outlast the memory of the great vacation. The following article relives the experience of one individual, and gives tips for traveling with your pet: Make It A Real Family Vacation, Take Your Pet With You.

The majority of our Santa Barbara vacation rentals are pet friendly, taking a lot of the guesswork out of your travel planning. Le Petit Chateau (pictured above), one of our most popular pet friendly rentals, has an enclosed yard, doggy door and is walking distance to the only off-leash beach in Santa Barbara. Local Animal Hospital Care provides 24 hour emergency service and will treat your pets like family. Take the anxiety out of your vacation planning by choosing a Santa Barbara vacation home that will welcome your four-legged family members and provide a vacation experience that will be one to remember for years to come (and not because of your pooch escaping the kennel)! To choose the Santa Barbara vacation rental that best suits the needs of your family, please visit our website: www.sbluxuryrentals.com...we'll be delighted to assist you.

Santa Barbara Vacation Homes Make it Easy to Enjoy Local Summer Festivals

2009-08-03T15:33:00.000-07:00

Visitors who frequently rent Santa Barbara vacation homes in the summer are already familiar with the Summer Festival of the Music Academy of the West. In fact, we have several clients who rent vacation rentals in Santa Barbara every year, whose focus is entirely on supporting the Academy and its artists. Join them this weekend as the Music Academy celebrates "A Baroque Evening" with conductor Nicholas McGegan. McGegan will be captivating his audience with music from Bach, Purcell, Rameau and Handel.

Tuesday night will showcase a special recital of the Academy's collaborative pianists on campus. The property belonging to the Music Academy is well worth the trip to Montecito. Several of our S anta Barbara vacation rentals are within easy walking distance to the Music Academy, like our Montecito Casas, two beautiful Santa Barbara vacation homes that are just one block from the beach and three blocks from Coast Village Road. The Montecito Hideaway is another lovely Santa Barbara vacation rental that is just a five minute walk from the Music Academy. With so much to see and do just outside your doorstep, who needs a car?

Santa Barbara Summer Festivals in Full Swing

2009-07-31T15:03:00.000-07:00

Santa Barbara is approaching its climax for local summertime festivals with the upcoming Greek Festival and Old Spanish Days Fiesta. These two local festivals are annual events in the Santa Barbara area, where locals and visitors alike are encouraged to participate in the traditions and culinary experiences of the cultures that create the colorful heritage of Santa Barbara.

This year's 36th annual Greek Festival begins today on August 1st and 2nd, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Oak Park. Enjoy the music and dancing all day long, but the real center stage belongs to the delicious Greek cuisine- spanakopita, moussaka, souvlaki and gyros provide a delicious lunch or dinner for festival-goers. Don't forget to save room for dessert! Who could resist trays upon trays of baklava and other honeyed delicacies that will bring back the memories of warm nights in the Greek Islands.

Old Spanish Days reach even further back in Santa Barbara History...eighty-five years to be exact. The fiesta festival officially starts Wednesday, August 5th, but festivities begin August 1st with El Fandango Dinner and Dancing, and the Flower Girls' Garden Party. With the celebration lasting all week long it's a great time to book a vacation rental in Santa Barbara and catch all the festivities you won't want to miss.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals - The Greener Side of Hospitality

2009-07-17T10:17:00.000-07:00

The greening of the hospitality industry is making it easier for travelers to choose from eco-friendly options when booking hotels, motels and vacation rentals this summer.

At Santa Barbara Luxury Rentals, we've recently implemented green cleaning solutions to further our commitment to providing the highest quality vacation rentals in Santa Barbara.

The green cleaning products and cleaners used in our Santa Barbara vacation rentals are made from natural and non-toxic ingredients that make it possible for travelers and their families to enjoy a safe environment free from harsh chemicals.

We noticed that we were getting questions from guests who had allergies or sensitivities to the synthetic chemicals in conventional cleaners. We use environmentally-friendly cleaning products in our own home and we’re very aware of environmental issues so it just made sense for us to implement the same green cleaning solutions in our business.

In addition to using green cleaning products at home, we personally try to set an example for our young children by doing what we can as a family to minimize our impact on the environment – whether it’s recycling and composting or buying organic and supporting green causes.

We work with other eco-friendly organizations in Santa Barbara like Heal the Ocean. Recently, we spearheaded the Green Team at the Santa Barbara Bowl to implement new programs and build community partnerships to support and enhance the venue’s existing eco-efforts.

Now we've made it a little easier for travelers to choose green when vacationing in California by offering environmentally friendly holiday villas, private cottages, and beach house properties in Santa Barbara (like the 4-bedroom Ocean Oasis pictured here).

Sustainable business practices are simply good for everyone involved. And chemical-free cleaning is just another step we’re taking to help preserve the planet while leading our children and our guests and employees toward a sustainable future.

Something fun to do in Santa Barbara for the kids

2009-07-14T12:21:00.000-07:00

One of the great things about staying in a vacation rental in Santa Barbara is the opportunity to stay long enough to live like a local, for both adults and kids alike. Santa Barbara has some great summer programs, one of them is the Rockshop Academy a school for kids to teach them how to play in a band and what it takes to make it big. They have some fantastic teachers including people who have worked with Bon Jovi, Sugarcult, Alan Parsons and Michael Jackson. If you're in town in August they still have some spots open for their summer session. Rock on!

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals Provides Value-Packed Alternative to Traditional Hotel Accommodations

2009-06-25T09:03:00.000-07:00

While travel deals abound for vacationers in a recession, many budget-minded consumers are discovering vacation rentals as a value-packed alternative to traditional hotel accommodations.

We know this firsthand because we provide a variety of high-end, fully-furnished vacation homes that offers great value for travelers looking to stretch their vacation budgets further.

Staying at a Santa Barbara vacation rental can cost anywhere from half to a third of the price of a hotel while affording vacationers more space – as well as additional amenities, privacy, and quality guest services.

Renting a luxury property at the fraction of the cost of a hotel makes it possible to travel with more friends and family – as well as travel more frequently. Not to mention, would you rather spend your holiday in a 400 sqft hotel room or a 2,400 sqft vacation home?

Vacation rentals in Santa Barbara is a growing trend that offers great value and flexibility to better fit various travel lifestyles, needs and budgets. For less than the cost of a hotel room vacationers can rent a whole home (like the 3-bedroom Rosemary Cottage pictured here) while enjoying countless benefits – like avoiding the unnecessary expenses of a hotel stay like laundry, internet fees, tips, and room service.

And you don't have to take our word for it. Gailen David, author of Jetiquette recently stayed at Casa Bella, a 3-bedroom home in Santa Barbara overlooking Butterfly Beach by the Biltmore Four Seasons Hotel.

“I can't think of a better way to enjoy Santa Barbara than staying in a luxuriously appointed home of my own,” David said. “It gives the feeling of living in this Southern California paradise for a fraction of the cost of a hotel.”

To view our properties, visit http://www.sbluxuryrentals.com/

The Santa Barbara Bowl - The best outdoor venue in the US

2009-06-09T09:37:00.000-07:00

Coming to stay at one of our Santa Barbara vacation rentals this summer? Make sure to check out the schedule of concerts at the Santa Barbara Bowl. Santa Barbara is lucky enough to have one of the best outdoor venue's in the country right in our back yard.

The Bowl is nestled into a canyon in the Santa Barbara foothills, just down the hill from our Vista Riviera Property , and seats approximately 4000 people. There truly is no bad seat at the Bowl. The Bowl gets some fantastic acts, it has hosted The Eagles, Radiohead, Pearl Jam, Stevie Wonder and the list goes on...Couple that with watching the beautiful sunsets over the ocean from your seats and there is not a lot more you can ask for from a venue.

A few shows on this season's lineup (more to be announced) include, No Doubt, Jackson Browne, Lyle Lovett and more.

Integrate a concert into your Santa Barbara vacation rental stay... for information or help arranging your vacation please don't hesitate to use our Santa Barbara Luxury Rentals Concierge service.

See you at the show...

Chris Brogan's Favorite Santa Barbara Vacation Rental

2009-06-02T21:43:00.000-07:00

We were lucky enough to have Chris Brogan a Social Media superstar come visit one of our vacation rentals in Santa Barbara. He stayed at our Vista Riviera property, What did he think about it? We'll let him tell you...

"We had no idea that’d be the huge 5 bedroom vacation property called the Vista Riviera. This thing was massive."

and "There was a nice swimming pool in the back and a hot tub that hit the spot after a long and cramped plane ride across the US. I was able to access all this right from my bedroom"

Sounds like he liked it... he even created a video with Justin Levy:

Chris, we're glad you had a good time in Santa Barbara, and we're glad you enjoyed your vacation rental. Thanks again for staying with Santa Barbara Luxury Rentals. We hope you come back again soon.

Thinking of coming to Santa Barbara, Summerland or Montecito? Consider staying in a vacation rental, often times cheaper than a hotel with a lot more room and flexibility. Check out our list of luxurious Santa Barbara vacation rental properties.

Social Media "Cribs" Tours Our Vacation Homes in Santa Barbara

2009-06-02T18:25:00.001-07:00

With Santa Barbara Luxury Rentals of course! We had a great time hosting Justin while he was in town, especially with the Nine Inch Nails and Janes Addiction NIN/JA show at the Santa Barbara Bowl.

See Justin's post on his vacation rental stay with Santa Barbara Luxury Rentals at Vista Riviera, complete with video. Read it here.

Information on vacationing in Santa Barbara

2009-06-01T22:14:00.000-07:00

Memorable-getaways.com has a good post on vacationing in Santa Barbara here.
Once you're ready to visit consider a Santa Barbara vacation rental. Check out Santa Barbara Luxury Rentals for lots of options.

Good Website About California Beach towns

2009-06-01T22:12:00.000-07:00

The California Beach Blog.. Check it out http://www.beachcalifornia.com
Lots of good info about the goings on in California's beach towns. A good resource if you're planning a vacation to Santa Barbara or another one of California's coastal towns. Our personal favorite of course is Santa Barbara. And our personal favorite place to stay is at a Santa Barbara vacation rental with Santa Barbara Luxury Rentals

Social Media comes to Santa Barbara: Chris Brogan, Justin Levy and Brian Clark stay at Vista Riviera

2009-05-31T20:42:00.000-07:00

Santa Barbara was invaded by the Social Media Elite last week. We were fortunate enough to host Chris Brogan (http://www.chrisbrogan.com), Justin Levy (http://www.justinrlevy.com) and Brian Clark (http://www.copyblogger.com).

Chris' website is the top marketing website on the planet, and ranks in the top-50 of all websites, Justin, Chris work closely together and Justin's website pulls in a lot of traffic on its own, and Brian's website Copy Blogger is in the top 200 websites out there. Between the 3 of them they represent a hat-trick of social media impact, wielding a huge amount of reach and influence.

They were in town for two reasons, Citrix Online (a local Santa Barbara company that powers GoToMyPC and GoToMeeting is a customer of theirs) as well as for the Nine Inch Nails and Janes Addiction concert (on the NINJA tour) at the Santa Barbara Bowl.

When these guys come to town they come in style. The house that they picked? Santa Barbara Luxury Rentals Vista Riviera Villa. Located on Santa Barbara's Riviera looking out over the town, the pacific oceans and the Channel islands. Vista Riviera is a 5 bedroom house with everything, from big spaces and panoramic views to a swimming pool and hot tub, and as Chris points out in the video (which you should watch), is complete with chocolates on the pillows.

I'll let Chris and Justin explain the rest in their video below.

If you're into learning about Social Media like Twitter, FriendFeed and BrightKite check these guys out. Thinking of a vacation rental in beautiful Santa Barbara? Have a look at the wide selection of furnished rentals, both short and long term, available from Santa Barbara Luxury Rentals here.