Photo credit: www.santabarbarahikes.com

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 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).

Photo credit: www.santabarbarahikes.com

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.

1. 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/
2. Santa Barbara Hikes is the most detailed with levels of difficulty, GPS coordinates, updates from fellow hikers, etc: http://santabarbarahikes.com/.
3. 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.
4. Local hikes lists the top Santa Barbara hikes: http://www.localhikes.com/MSA/MSA_7480.asp.
5. 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/.
6. 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.

Photo credit: www.sbfarmersmarket.org

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 guide for Santa Barbra 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!

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.

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.

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 at www.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 rentals concierge 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 – 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.

First, like creating a great wine, a wonderful Santa Barbara wine trip shouldn’t be rushed. Start with a Santa Barbara vacation rental home as your base of operation so you can enjoy Santa Barbara’s wine country over several days. You want to savor both Santa Barbara and its wines.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals’ Perfect Santa Barbara Wine Trip Tip #1: Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail

If you want the perfect way to enjoy both Santa Barbara and it’s wines, your first trip should be the Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail. This walking tour of 11 Santa Barbara wineries’ downtown tasting rooms is the perfect way to allow everyone in your party to enjoy wine tasting without having to assign a designated driver. When you make your reservation, remember that the Anacapa Penthouses and Villas are located downtown within easy walking distance of the Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail. Contact our Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals concierge to help plan the best wine trip walking tour for you.

In addition to being steps away from your Santa Barbara vacation rental, the best part of the Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail is the ability to also enjoy Santa Barbara’s beaches, shopping, dining and galleries at a leisurely pace. If you get too tired along the Santa Barbara Urban Wine trail, you can just mosey on back to your Santa Barbara vacation rental home to rest.

You really need to check out the Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail web site (www.urbanwinetrailsb.com). There you can learn about the 11 wineries that have downtown Santa Barbara tasting rooms. The site has a wine tasting/Santa Barbara glossary that will help you sound like a true wine and Santa Barbara aficionado. With the glossary, you can learn things that even Santa Barbara natives don’t know, like the location of “the Funk Zone”. (By the way, we have Santa Barbara vacation rentals near the Funk Zone.) The Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail web site also allows you to sign up for email updates to get the latest news from the wineries. You can even download a tasting room map of all the wineries (or just the ones you select) to your GPS-enabled phone. You will literally have the Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail in the palm of your hand. Just be sure to include your Santa Barbara vacation rental on your GPS map so you can find your way back after you’ve sampled the wines at 11 tasting rooms.

The Anacapa Penthouses are located in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara in close proximity to the urban wine trails.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals’ Perfect Santa Barbara Wine Trip Tip #2: Six Santa Barbara Wine Trails

If you want to travel by car, the Santa Barbara Convention and Visitors Bureau has created six wine trails with easy driving directions that you and your designated driver can take to explore the many microclimates and stunning vistas of Santa Barbara. If you know that you want to have easy access to some of the wineries on one of these trails, we have a number of Santa Barbara vacation rental home properties along each trail. Check out these six Santa Barbara Wine Trails here: http://www.santabarbaraca.com/static/index.cfm?contentID=263.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals’ Perfect Santa Barbara Wine Trip Tip #3: Santa Barbara Wine Train

While we always recommend spending the night at a luxury Santa Barbara vacation rental, if you live in the Los Angeles area and are interested in a great wine-tasting day trip to Santa Barbara, you can enjoy the rare treat of the Santa Barbara Wine Train. You depart early from Los Angeles, and enjoy breakfast on the train while you learn about the America Riviera’s wine country. You arrive in Santa Barbara at 10:12 a.m. and have the option of joining a guided tour along Santa Barbara’s Urban Wine Trail or heading off on your own before leaving Santa Barbara at 4:31 p.m. These special train trips happen once a month and sell out quickly. Find details at: http://www.overlandtrail.com/ride/sb_wine_t_page.htm.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals’ Perfect Santa Barbara Wine Trip Tip #4: Santa Barbara Wine Reviews

If you’re paralyzed by all the possibilities Santa Barbara’s wine country has to offer, check out these reviews of the local wineries.

• Seven Fun Stops On Santa Barbara’s Urban Wine Trail
• John Dickson’s Santa Barbara Wine Guide

Most of our Santa Barbara vacation rental guests come back time and time again to enjoy each wine trail. It is a view of Santa Barbara that improves with age. Be sure to contact your Santa Barbara vacation rental concierge to help customize the perfect Santa Barbara wine experience for you.

Santa Barbara has one of the best art scenes anywhere. Not only do we have hundreds of local artists, but we have a concentration of art galleries downtown within easy walking distance of a number of our Santa Barbara vacation rental homes. For art lovers, a Santa Barbara vacation rental home makes more sense than a hotel. You can store your art purchases securely away from prying eyes. If you want to create a little art yourself, a Santa Barbara vacation rental is a spacious place to release your inner Gaugin in private. Most of our Santa Barbara vacation rental homes have wonderful vistas and a yard or balcony where you can set up your easel for inspiration. Even if all you want to do is stroll from gallery to gallery, there’s a Santa Barbara vacation rental home just a few steps away.

Santa Barbara Local Art Scene: 1st Thursday

Santa Barbara Vacation Rental’s Guide to the Local Art Scene Tip #1: First Thursday

If you love art, be sure to book your Santa Barbara vacation rental the first Thursday of the month. Every 1st Thursday Santa Barbara’s downtown comes alive with art, culture and entertainment. Best of all, 1st Thursday attractions are free from 5-8pm. According to the 1st Thursday web site, Santa Barbara’s 1st Thursday events run the gamut from “art openings, live music, artists’ receptions, lectures, wine tastings and hands-on activities. In addition, State Street comes alive on 1st Thursday with performances and interactive exhibits. Look for previews of forthcoming plays, symphony performances, concerts and dance productions, as well as local up-and-coming performers.” The 1st Thursday Passport is a printed guide and map to all of the 1st Thursday attractions and is available at participating galleries, venues, MTD shuttles, the Visitors’ Center, and from the Santa Barbara vacation rental concierge. To get the latest 1st Thursday news and to download a printable version of the 1st Thursday Passport, go to: http://www.santabarbaradowntown.com/go.asp.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rental’s Guide to the Local Art Scene Tip #2: Use Online Art Trip Planners

If you are serious about planning your trip around art, Santa Barbara boasts not one but two online trip planners for dedicated art lovers. Check out the Santa Barbara Visual Arts’ trip planner: http://www.sbva.org/plan_visit.php. The gallery listings here are great, but the trip planner misses a lot of the shows that are available. If you are looking for a more well rounded trip planner that includes all that Santa Barbara has to offer (including arts) go to http://www.santabarbaraca.com.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rental’s Guide to the Local Art Scene Tip #3: Get the online skinny on Santa Barbara’s art scene.

The art lovers who have been Santa Barbara vacation rental guests swear by the Santa Barbara Art Blog (http://www.sbartsblog.com/) as their first stop to get the latest 411 on the Santa Barbara art scene.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rental’s Guide to the Local Art Scene Tip #4: Don’t forget our world class museum

While it may not have the hipster vibe of some of Santa Barbara’s edgier galleries, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art has something for everyone from the old masters, art from around the world and local discoveries. Check out: http://www.sbmuseart.org/.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rental’s Guide to the Local Art Scene Tip #5: Enjoy Art with a Beachside Stroll

Just as you need to book your Santa Barbara vacation rental for the first Thursday, you don’t want to leave until after Monday because every Sunday from 10am to dusk, you can amble along Santa Barbara’s East Beach to enjoy the Santa Barbara Arts and Crafts show. Every week about 200 local artists display original work and greet the public. Get details at: http://www.sbaacs.com/.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rental’s Guide to the Local Art Scene Tip #6: Visit the Galleries Online First

Santa Barbara has so many art galleries, you can’t see them all in one weekend (maybe you should book a longer stay at your Santa Barbara vacation rental). If you are looking for a specific kind of art, you’ll need to peruse the galleries online so you can be more strategic in your gallery hopping when you’re here. The best listing of Santa Barbara art gallery web links can be found here: http://atomicbride.com/sbart.html.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rental’s Guide to the Local Art Scene Tip #7: Get First Crack Investing in Rising Artists

Serious art investors need to unearth diamonds in the rough before other investors rush in. If you want to discover up-and-coming Santa Barbara artists before they hit the big time, you might want to research them online first. A good place to start is the artist links of the Santa Barbara Art Association member list: http://www.sbartassoc.org/mem_link.html.

Whether your interest in art is strolling by a pretty painting or as a serious art investor, Santa Barbara has something for everyone. Ask your Santa Barbara vacation rental concierge for recommendations. The beauty of Santa Barbara’s art scene is something to behold.

“Music hath charms to soothe a savage breast, to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak.”

We’re not sure why anyone would want to “bend a knotted oak,” but we can get behind playwright William Congreve’s sentiment about music. In fact, if you or a loved one feels the need to sooth a savage beast, a Santa Barbara luxury vacation home rental is one of California’s premier destinations for topflight music.

Enjoy summer-long music at Santa Barbara's Music Academy of the West.

The Music Academy of the West is an intensive eight-week training session where 140 talented young classical musicians from all over the country come together to hone and practice their skills. Intensive summertime mentoring by world class artists produces a superior caliber of performers. Area residents and the lucky few who are enjoying a Santa Barbara vacation are the fortunate recipients of these virtuosi recitals.

While you’re enjoying your Santa Barbara luxury rental, performances will be offered to the public between late June and mid August 2010 in Carpinteria, about 20 minutes south of Santa Barbara. Sessions in and around the historic estate Miraflores, home to the Music Academy, include voice and opera, orchestra, chamber music and master classes in various instruments. Ticket prices range from free to $100.

If you’re planning a long-term Santa Barbara vacation and want to get really involved, you can even apply to be a supernumerary or technical assistant in an opera. It’s the best way to get an up close and personal view of how a production is put together. For more information about Music Academy of the West, please visit http://www.musicacademy.org.

The Santa Barbara Bowl is musical treat for the whole family.

Want to catch a more modern music concert during your Santa Barbara vacation rental stay? Then you must plan on visiting the Santa Barbara Bowl. Originally built in 1936, this al fresco gem was recently renovated to astounding effect. With more than 4,500 seats, it is the largest outdoor concert facility in Santa Barbara County, and is nestled in a delightful glen of old oak trees.

Renting a Santa Barbara Vacation Homes is a golden ticket to immediately feeling like a local, but here are some tips to help you better enjoy your evenings at the Santa Barbara Bowl. Be sure to arrive at least 90 minutes early to allow plenty of time for parking and the short 200-yard stroll to the bowl. If you plan to picnic elsewhere (there are no facilities on site), be aware that you are not allowed to bring bulky items like ice chests and baskets into the bowl. However, food is available for purchase. We recommend the yummy tri-tip sandwiches.

Many music lovers choose to stay at Santa Barbara vacation rentals because it allows them to enjoy affordable accommodations so they can go to more concerts. Watch the sun dip into the Pacific as you enjoy the concerts of spring and summer 2010 including Thirty Seconds to Mars, Carole King & James Taylor, a live broadcast of “A Prairie Home Companion” with Garrison Keillor, and the Steve Miller Band with special guest Los Lobos. More events are being added all the time. For an updated schedule please visit http://www.sbbowl.com.

When touring Santa Barbara music venues, you are welcome to stay in one of our luxurious, fully-furnished Santa Barbara vacation rentals – including private beach houses, California holiday villas, and large vacation homes. When booking, check to make sure that its location is within easy driving distance of the venue(s) where your favorite performances will be offered. Properties proximal to the Music Academy include Casa Bella, Casa Linda, Montecito Hideaway and Montecito Cottage. Our concierges can help you get tickets to the events you want to enjoy the most. For more information call Santa Barbara vacation rentals directly at 805-715-3900 or email reservations@sbluxuryrentals.com.

Vacationers who make the smart choice to rent a Santa Barbara vacation home during the spring and summer months often find themselves tempted to just stay at their new “home” and relax. But if you’re in the mood for a brisk stroll or a quick drive, you’ll find many opportunities to mingle with the locals and enjoy the local arts and cuisine.

Some of the artistry you can see at the I Madonnari festival in Santa Barbara May 29-31, 2010.

There’s a lot more to Memorial Day than hosting a barbeque on the deck of your luxurious Santa Barbara vacation rental home. It’s also the weekend of I Madonnari Italian Street Painting Festival, the arts festival that turns the sidewalks of the Old Mission Plaza into a riot of vibrant color. Borrowed from a sister celebration in Grazie di Curtatone, Italy, I Madonnari is the opportunity for professionals and amateurs alike to create 150 dynamic large-scale works of art with pastels.

Some of the artistry you can see at the I Madonnari festival in Santa Barbara May 29-31, 2010.

This festival isn’t just for grown-ups. If you brought any budding Leonardos on your Santa Barbara vacation, two-foot squares can be purchased for them to decorate for $10. Kids can enliven their own boxes to their hearts’ content while the grow-ups peruse the rest of the square. In fact, kids are at the heart of this festival. The proceeds benefit the Children’s Creative Project, a nonprofit arts education program, which serves 50,000 children with visual and performing arts workshops and performances.

Some of the artistry you can see at the I Madonnari festival in Santa Barbara May 29-31, 2010.

Right next door to the art is the heavenly food. Dozens of vendors offer the finest in Italian food and crafts. Festival hours are 10-6 daily, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday of Memorial Day Weekend. Admission to the whole event is free. For more information, please visit http://www.imadonnarifestival.com.

In fact, while we’re thinking about it, why bother with the messy grill at all? You didn’t book this Santa Barbara luxury rental so you could get covered head to toe in charcoal dust, did you? Put away the barbeque, take a shower and head into town to discover the impressive array of international cuisine you can find in our cozy little city.

The Santa Barbara French Festival Sat & Sun • July 17 & 18, 2010 • 11am-7pm

Vive La France! If you’re relishing the homey comforts of your Santa Barbara vacation rental over Bastille Day weekend (July 17-18, 2010), we suggest you hustle down to the French Festival in Oak Park. A real treat is in store with delicious food (classic, nouvelle and regional cuisine), wine, beer, baguettes galore, cheese, Champagne, 40 entertainment acts and dozens of other highlights. It’s the closest you can get to la belle France without the excruciating 11-hour flight. For more information, please visit http://www.frenchfestival.com.

Enjoy the tastes of Santa Barbara's Greek Festival July 31-August 1, 2010

We don’t know how to say Long Live the Greeks, but we certainly feel it when we return to Oak Park later in the summer and feel our mouths start to water when we get a whiff of the divine food. Anyone lucky enough to be staying in a Santa Barbara luxury vacation home over July 31-August 1, 2010 will want to make Santa Barbara’s 37th Annual Greek Festival their first stop. Food, music, dancing, vendors and entertainment make for a fun and filling weekend. Admission is free and more information can be found at http://www.santabarbaragreekfestival.com/home.html.

Hey, you! Hands off my baklava!

When enjoying Santa Barbara culture and food festivals, you are welcome to stay in one of our luxurious, fully-furnished Santa Barbara vacation rentals – including private beach houses, California holiday villas, and large vacation homes. When booking, check to make sure that its location is within easy driving distance of the venue(s) where your favorite events will be offered. Our concierges can help you get information about and direction to the events you want to enjoy the most. For more information call Santa Barbara vacation rentals directly at 805-715-3900 or email reservations@sbluxuryrentals.com.

In addition to spectacular beaches and mountainscapes, summer vacation in Santa Barbara boasts such an abundance of fun and exciting events that draws visitors from all over the world to enjoy unique activities and stay at Santa Barbara vacation rental homes and properties.

Santa Barbara hosts too many events to list here, but this preview of Santa Barbara summer vacation 2010 events (from May 1-September 1) is a good place to start. There’s something for everyone. These diverse multicultural, artsy, wine, beach and food events show why so many people are drawn to the unique character of Santa Barbara.

Of course, some of these Santa Barbara summer vacation events draw thousands of people, and most vacationers in the know want to avoid the crush of a hotel and opt for the ease and convenience of a luxury Santa Barbara vacation rental. You can walk all your gear into a Santa Barbara vacation rental home a lot easier than you can get your surfboard up a crowded hotel elevator. And if you want to bring your dog, a Santa Barbara vacation rental home is an ideal choice for a super Santa Barbara summer vacation. Just take a look at what each month has to offer and keep in mind that summer is our most popular season so you should book your Santa Barbara vacation rental home as soon as you can. (All event descriptions are from the event holders’ web sites and are subject to change.)

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals’ Summer Vacation Events for May 2010:

See Delacroix to Monet at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, January 30-May 30, 2010

January 30, 2010 – May 30, 2010 – Delacroix to Monet: Masterpieces of 19th-Century Painting from the Walters Art Museum: Assembled over more than 140 years, the collection of the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore entails one of the finest holdings of 19th-century paintings in the United States. The only west coast venue for the exhibition, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art is pleased to present 40 works from this renowned collection. Details at: http://www.sbma.net

April 28 – May 2, 2010 – “Sweet Home Santa Barbara” Fair & Expo: The 21st annual Santa Barbara Fair & Expo is at the Earl Warren Showgrounds. There’s a lot of excitement on the menu from appetizing carnival rides to delicious fair treats to farm animals and livestock. Details at: http://www.sbfairandexpo.com.

2010 AVP TOUR SANTA BARBARA OPEN IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SUSAN G. KOMEN FOR THE CURE 2008 Santa Barbara Open winner and Santa Barbara resident Todd Rogers will have the advantage as he looks to capture another title in front of the hometown crowd.

April 29 – May 2, 2010 – 2010 AVP Tour Santa Barbara Open: The world’s best men and women volleyball players will compete in Santa Barbara. Tickets will go fast. Details at: http://www.avp.com.

May 1, 2010 – 5th Annual Women’s Literary Festival: Located at the beautiful Fess Parker’s DoubleTree Resort, Santa Barbara’s Women’s Literary Festival celebrates readers and women writers with a day of interactive presentations and book signings. The mission of the Women’s Literary Festival is to present the work of contemporary female authors from a variety of backgrounds and life experiences at a yearly conference. The Festival celebrates diversity, literacy and social justice. Details at: womensliteraryfestival.com

May 1, 2010 – May 15, 2010 – 10th Annual Santa Barbara Sea Festival: Make plans now to celebrate Santa Barbara’s beautiful ocean. Festival founder the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum launches an expanded festival, this year running two full weeks. The celebration kicks off May 1-2 with the Santa Barbara Choral Society and Orchestra performing Ralph Vaughan-Williams’ stirring A Sea Symphony at the beautifully restored Granada Theater (performances Saturday May 1 at 8 pm and Sunday May 2 at 3 pm), and ends with the SB Maritime Museum’s hands-on Sea Festival events on May 15 at the Harbor. (Rumor has it that there may even be a visit by a tall ship!) In between, the calendar is packed with two-weeks of sea-themed family fun around town, include Ty Warner Sea Center’s Sensational Seafood event, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art’s special ‘find the seascape’ family activities, and the Downtown Organization’s sea-themed First Thursday with participating business and restaurants all joining in the fun! Details at: www.sbseafestival.com

May 1-2, 2010 – Cinco De Mayo: The Nineteenth Annual Cinco de Mayo celebration will take place in Plaza de la Guerra and at the Casa de la Guerra. This year’s celebration will be Santa Barbara’s biggest and best event yet. There will be even more great music, dance, savory food, and a kids’ corner full of activities. Details at: http://www.cincodemayosb.com

May 15, 2010 – Buttonwood Farm Vineyard Crawfish Boil: Laissez les bons temps rouler! It’s spring and that means the crawfish boil is back. Treat yourself to a unique wine country event in this vineyard by the pond. Don’t miss this true Louisiana-style crawfish boil complete with all the trimmings, live Zydeco music, and award-winning estate grown wines. Details at: http://www.sbcountywines.com

May 16, 2010 – Wheels & Waves: 11th Annual Classic Car And Hot Rod Show: 400 hot rods and classic cars from across America will be on display for one day only at the 11th Annual Wheels & Waves car show. Over 40,000 people jammed State Street last year and 2010 promises to be just as spectacular. There will be live music, raffles, awards and tons of the coolest cars you’ve ever seen. Details at: http://www.wheelsandwaves.com

May 27, 2010 – Downtown Art & Wine Tour: Eat, drink and be merry at the Downtown Art & Wine Tour. The tour offers participants an opportunity for leisurely strolling between downtown art galleries to see the latest exhibits, taste dishes from downtown restaurants and sample wines from leading Santa Barbara County vintners. This popular event is a community favorite and a complete sell-out each year! Details at: http://www.santabarbaradowntown.com

Some the artistry you can see at Santa Barbara's I Madonnari festival.

May 29 – May 31, 2010 - I Madonnari: Madonnari, or street painters, transform the Mission Plaza using pastels on pavement to create 150 vibrant and colorful, large scale images. Santa Barbara is proud to be the first to bring this romantic festival to the western hemisphere from our sister festival in Grazie di Curtatone, Italy. The festival benefits the Children’s Creative Project, a nonprofit arts education program of the Santa Barbara County Education Office. Admission is free. Details at: http://www.imadonnarifestival.com

Santa Barbara Vacation Rental’s Summer Vacation Events for June 2010:

June 19, 2010 – Fiddlehead Cellars’ FiddleFest!: FiddleFest returns this year, and it’s not to be missed! It’s an exploration and celebration of Fiddlestix Vineyard: the place, the people, the wines and the feeling. The people who craft a Fiddlestix designated Pinot Noir will pour their wines at the famous Fiddlestix Barn located at mile marker 7.28 on Santa Rosa Rd, smack dab in the middle of the phenomenal Santa Rita Hills. There is fantastic food a-plenty and, of course, a fiddlin’ good time! Details at: http://www.sbcountywines.com

June 19, 2010 – Lucas & Lewellen Summer BBQ at Valley View Vineyard: This annual summer barbecue is an event as unforgettable as the host, the Dirtman himself! Visit with Louis Lucas, Royce Lewellen, Megan McGrath Gates, and your Lucas & Lewellen friends while savoring new Lucas & Lewellen and Mandolina wine releases, a wine country barbecue, live music by Mike Shelton and the gorgeous view of the Valley View Vineyard. Please reserve early as seating is limited. Details at: http://www.sbcountywines.com

June 23-27, 2010 – Lompoc Flower Festival: Santa Barbara’s beautiful flower show delights more than the local bees. Details at: http://www.flowerfestival.org

June 25, 2010 – Santa Barbara Museum of Art: Celebrate visual geometry, contrast and texture inspired by Brett Weston. Out of the Shadow A special performance by String Theory and KCRW’s DJ Jason Bentley. The Nude in Nature Collective Submissions, Landscaping the Body: Botanical Couture, and Negative Spaces. Shadow Boxes. Join the night’s after-party at Coast at the Canary Hotel for late dinner and cocktails until 11 pm! Details at: http://www.sbmuseart.org.

Santa Barbara's Summer Solstice Parade June 25th & 26th, 2010

June 25th & 26th, 2010 – Summer Solstice Parade: Santa Barbara’s Summer Solstice Celebration has evolved into creative and original display of floats, giant puppets, whimsical costumes and masks of more than 1,000 parade participants, of all ethnic and economic backgrounds. There is dancing, music, drumming and drama to enthrall spectators. The Summer Solstice Parade features mouthwatering foods and thirst-quenching beverages from local restaurants, an arts and crafts boutique with more than 75 vendors and a large “drum circle” formed by parade participants and anyone else who cares to join in the beat (Saturday only). The wonderful floats from the parade are parked along Micheltorena Street for close-up inspection on Saturday only until approximately 4:30 pm. Beer and Wine Garden Friday 4-8 pm, Saturday noon to 7 pm. Details: http://www.solsticeparade.com

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals’ Summer Vacation Events for July 2010:

91st Annual Santa Barbara Hunter-Jumper Show July 14-18, 2010

July 7-July 18, 2010 – Santa Barbara National Horse Show: July 7-10, 2010 – Multi-Breed Show; July 14-18, 2010 – Hunter-Jumper Show. For more than 80 years, the Santa Barbara National Horse Show has been a grand tradition. The Santa Barbara National Horse Show, now held at the Earl Warren showgrounds, is the oldest horse show in the West, and one of the most prestigious in the nation, as well as the premier American Saddlebred horse show on the west coast. Details at: http://www.earlwarren.com.

July 15, 2010 – Old Spanish Nights – Tapas and Wine Tasting: This new and exciting event precedes Santa Barbara’s world-famous “Old Spanish Days” Fiesta by a few weeks. In the spirit of Fiesta, the night is charged with exciting Spanish music, passionate flamenco dancing and spicy tapas appetizers. Santa Barbara County’s finest wines will be spotlighted along with hot Spanish imports! Don’t miss this festive upscale event! Details at http://www.californiawinefestival.com/eventschedule.html

July 16, 2010 – Sunset Rare & Reserve Wine Tasting: This romantic evening of rare wine tasting begins with a champagne reception under the stars at Santa Barbara’s charming old-world carousel at Chase Palm Park Plaza. Extremely limited reserve level wines are matched with gourmet appetizers from top local chefs, artisan cheeses, even fresh strawberries dipped in a chocolate fountain. Details at: http://www.californiawinefestival.com/eventschedule.html

July 17, 2010 – Beachside Wine Festival: This is the “Biggest Wine Festival Under the Sun” in Santa Barbara! A spectacular gathering of over 200 of California’s finest wines from every wine region in the state, showcasing a total of over 350 fine wines at a sunny beach front location. Over 2,500 wine fans will grab their glasses and start swirling and sipping just a Frisbee throw away from the sparkling Pacific, while live music on stage keeps the party going. Details at: http://www.californiawinefestival.com/eventschedule.html

July 17 & 18, 2010 – The 23rd Annual French Festival: Bastille Day weekend includes a celebration of French culture at Oak Park. Food, music, entertainment — c’est magnifique! Smiling families dine at sidewalk cafés with checkered tablecloths and umbrellas. Starry-eyed couples toast each other with wine. Artists wearing bérets paint at their easels. The air is filled with music, laughter and the tempting aromas of French cuisine. Surely this must be France? Actually, it’s the 23nd Annual French Festival in Santa Barbara, Saturday and Sunday, July 17 & 18 (Bastille Day Weekend), from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Santa Barbara’s Oak Park. Admission is free. Over 20,000 people are expected to attend. Details at: http://www.frenchfestival.com

July 31- August 1 – The 37th Annual Greek Festival: This year’s 37th annual Greek Festival features 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 memories of warm nights in the Greek Islands. Details at: http://www.santabarbaragreekfestival.com

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals’ Summer Vacation Events for August 2010:

Enjoy great food during Santa Barbara's Old Spanish Days August 4-8, 2010

August 4, 2010 – August 8, 2010 – Old Spanish Days Fiesta: Join Santa Barbara in celebrating 86 years of tradition. This cultural event is filled with Spanish and Mexican dancing at the Old Mission and County Courthouse, marketplaces with local food and gift vendors, live music performances and a carnival. Experience one of the largest equestrian parades in the country after a night at the Professional Bull Riders Rodeo. Viva la Fiesta! Details at: http://www.oldspanishdays-fiesta.org.

August 20, 2010 – Santa Barbara Museum of Art: Surrender to taste, touch, sight, smell and hearing by focusing on five: five works from the permanent collection explored through the five senses. Highlights include: The Scent of Memory Opera, The Synaesthesia Stylists/the Science of Signs Senses Lab, Perseus by Night Amulets, and Candyland(scapes). Join the night’s after-party at Coast at the Canary Hotel. Details at: http://www.sbmuseart.org

Santa Barbara's 10th Annual Woodies at the Beach, August 21, 2010

August 21, 2010 - Santa Barbara’s 10th Annual Woodies at the Beach: Classic wood-paneled cars at Santa Barbara City College’s West Campus. Great for the whole family. Details at: http://www.nationalwoodieclub.com/chapter_sbarb.htm.

ONGOING

Santa Barbara Bowl: This 4,562-seat amphitheater was carved into the hillside in 1936 and is nestled in a wooded canyon known for its spectacular views and concert-friendly weather. http://www.sbbowl.com or 805-962-7411

Santa Barbara Music Academy of the West: Summer Festival details at http://www.musicacademy.org or 805-969-4726

Concerts in the Park: Chase Palm Park (Thursdays) and Alameda Park (Sundays).

Santa Barbara Farmers Market – State Street: Each week the farmers in the marketplace display a colorful bounty of agricultural products grown right in our backyard. Seasonal diversity is available year ’round, rain or shine. Music and entertainment enliven the markets while creating a positive ambiance. Come. Shop. Socialize. Certified – the only way to buy! Details at: http://www.sbfarmersmarket.org.

Historic House & Garden Tour: These 90-minute tours show you some of the best homes and gardens Santa Barbara has to offer. Details at: http://www.casadelherrero.com

Santa Barbara has hundreds of more summer vacation events including music, cultural, family-friendly, comedy, sporting, etc. Your best bet to find the most current summer vacation events is going to SantaBarbara.com. Whichever event you plan your Santa Barbara summer vacation around, remember that you’ll want a home base that allows you to unwind and relax in your own private space. A Santa Barbara vacation rental home will be your own calm oasis for your stimulating Santa Barbara summer vacation. Many Santa Barbara vacation rental homes are within easy walking distance to some of these summer vacation events and a Santa Barbara vacation rental concierge can help book reservations and tickets, plus provide insider tips on how to get the most out of each Santa Barbara summer vacation event.

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.

Our Riviera Oceanview Retreat property (pictured below) includes, but is not limited to, a gourmet kitchen, private pool and spa, outdoor fireplace, pool house and terrace. To accommodate additional friends and family, this property also has three suites and a guest house. Ultimately, you are enjoying the beauty and amenities of a luxury hotel, but all the privacy of a private home for your most memorable vacation getaway!

Enjoy the Santa Barbara ocean views from your private pool and spa

Take advantage of your terrace and outdoor fireplace -- a perfect space for the ultimate BBQ!

In addition to a luxury Santa Barbara vacation rental costing you a fraction of a hotel suite, discover the top 10 reasons for you to select a vacation home over a pricey Santa Barbara hotel.

At our Santa Barbara vacation rentals we strive to create a memorable vacation experience of the highest quality, giving all our guests the utmost consideration and quality service. For additional information on our fully-furnished vacation properties call Santa Barbara vacation rentals directly at 805-715-3900 or email reservations@sbluxuryrentals.com.