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 Lazy 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.

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.

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.cameratapacifica.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.

]]> http://www.santa-barbara-vacation-rental.com/reasons-to-explore-santa-barbaras-burgeoning-music-scene-steps-from-your-santa-barbara-vacation-rental/feed/ 1 http://www.santa-barbara-vacation-rental.com/enjoy-local-live-music-venues-during-your-stay-at-a-santa-barbara-vacation-rental/ http://www.santa-barbara-vacation-rental.com/enjoy-local-live-music-venues-during-your-stay-at-a-santa-barbara-vacation-rental/#comments Fri, 22 Oct 2010 17:08:40 +0000 Santa Barbara Local http://www.santa-barbara-vacation-rental.com/?p=1115 If you’ve booked your Santa Barbara vacation rental for this year, then you probably already know 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, chances are, there’s a world-class musical venue 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.)

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 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. 

Stand up paddling (or SUP) combines the best of surfing and canoeing. Photo: http://www.kayaksb.com/

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

Feel the sand with one step from your Santa Barbara beach house rental.

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.

Enjoy every amenity from your Santa Barbara beach rental.

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.

This Santa Barbara beach rental is spacious enough for romantic dancing by the fireside.

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:

• http://www.tripadvisor.com/VacationRentals-g33045-Reviews-Santa_Barbara_California-Vacation_Rentals.html,
• http://www.vacationrentals.com/vacation-rentals/Santa-Barbara-California.html,
• http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rentals/california/santa-barbara-area/r8398,
• http://www.flipkey.com/vacation+rentals/united+states/california/central+coast/santa+barbara+county/santa+barbara/. 

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 Rentals – Beach House BBQ Grill Secret #1: Drivers, start your recipes!

If the only grilling you know about happens on cop shows, don’t worry. Santa Barbara beach house rentals has your back. Check out these mouthwatering beach BBQ recipes:

• Epicurious Beach Blanket Barbecue
• Barefoot Contessa Summer Beach BBQ
• AllRecipes.com BBQ & Grilling

Santa Barbara Beach House Rentals – Beach House BBQ Grill Secret #2: Keep it clean.

Clean your grill. Most of the Santa Barbara beach house rentals that come with grills feature the necessary tools. If not, they’re easily picked up at a hardware store. Burn the grill, and then use a wire brush to scrape away any remaining cinders.

Santa Barbara Beach House Rentals – Beach House BBQ Grill Secret #3: Non-stick tips.

Put a light coat of oil on the grill (unless your cooking sauce is oily) so your meat doesn’t stick. If you’re cooking chicken, leave the skin on so the meat doesn’t get desiccated. (You’re on vacation, what are you worried about dieting for anyway?) If you’re cooking with a sugar or tomato-based sauce, put it on toward the end to avoid blackening, unless you dig your food Cajun-style. “Lessez les bon temps roulez!”

Santa Barbara Beach House Rentals – Beach House BBQ Grill Secret #4: Don’t give yourself food poisoning.

Never use the same plate or utensils for raw meat and cooked meat unless they’ve been thoroughly washed in hot, soapy water. If you’ve marinated something and want to serve the extra sauce at the meal, boil it for ten minutes to kill any lingering bacteria.

Don’t under-cook your food either. This is an easy mistake to make, but it’s even easier to avoid. Use an instant-read meat thermometer to check the internal temp of your roast beast before serving. If you’re in a hurry, you can start or finish cooking your meat in the microwave on a lower power setting. Depending on how “done” you want it, beef should be 120-165 degrees (Fahrenheit), lamb should be 145-170, chicken and turkey 165 and pork 160-170. Fish will vary, depending on the type.

Santa Barbara Beach House Rentals – Beach House BBQ Grill Secret #5: Don’t forget the tunes!

You’ll probably want some festive music to inspire you to grilling greatness. We recommend something fun and peppy like the Beach Boys (of course) or the B-52s. “Love Shack” anyone? If you’re not into the classics, Pandora, YouTube or Last.fm might have a mix that appeals to you.

Santa Barbara Beach House Rentals – Beach House BBQ Grill Secret #6: Don’t lug the charcoal.

Many of our properties have gas barbecue grills including:

• Casa Linda
• Juniper Cottage
• Knolltop Estate
• Le Petit Chateau
• Montecito Hideaway
• Mykonos Villa at Cinque Terre
• Sycamores Estate
• Villa del Mar

Santa Barbara Beach House Rentals – Beach House BBQ Grill Secret #7: Pick your setting.

Whether you’re visiting a Santa Barbara beach house rental for some solitude or with a gaggle of your best buds, you’ll want to pick a property that has the outdoor amenities you’ll need. Do you want to perch high on your rooftop terrace with a dynamite 360-degree view, or are you looking for an enclosed garden with fruit trees that the kids can safely climb? A deck or patio expands the total living space of your Santa Barbara beach house rental offering value for your vacation dollar and privacy that a public beach or park can’t.

We offer Santa Barbara beach house rentals with decks, patios, lawns, gardens, orchards, outdoor fireplaces or fire pits, hot tubs, pools, decorative water features, saunas, outdoor showers, steam showers, heat lamps, games and innumerable other amenities.

No matter what kind of Santa Barbara beach house rental you’re looking for, you’re sure to find it at Santa Barbara Luxury Rentals.

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.