Hello! If you follow me on Instagram, you know that I just had a quick get-away with girlfriends at an oceanfront rental home near Santa Barbara. It was my friend, Debbie’s birthday.
I wanted to fill you in on the highlights so that you can consider this trip…and please add any of your own recommendations in the comments!
Ocean Front Rental Home Near Santa Barbara
This four-bedroom, four-bathroom rental home is right on the beach with panoramic views. It still has some of the original bathrooms and kitchen (making it a bit more affordable) and is beautifully decorated. The kitchen is well-equipped. We had some great walks on the beach when the tide was out.
Book a stay here. Tell them that Mary Ann sent you! I want to go back.
Shop the Post:
Shopping In Summerland (Near Montecito)
Porch
We had a lot of fun ducking into Porch. I just bought a little necklace but loved looking at everything.
We also enjoyed The Well (also known as Big Daddy Antiques), Summerland Antique Collective, and Garde.
Raoul Textiles in Santa Barbara
I’m a long-time fan of Raoul Textiles and they are based out of Santa Barbara…fun to see the showroom.
San Ysidro Ranch
We stopped here for lunch outside (can you see the Pacific Ocean through the haze?) for Debbie’s birthday. San Ysidro Ranch has gorgeous grounds with flowers and vegetable gardens. They have casitas if you want to spend the night.
That’s the information on the oceanfront rental home near Santa Barbara and fun shopping in the area. Are there any places I missed? Do you have plans to travel soon?
You may also like Carmel By The Sea
I am so jealous of that excursion, one of my absolute favorite spots. Santa Barbara and Santa Ynez. Love all the shops you visited. We spent every Easter vacation in SB when the kids were growing up. I am dying to get back there. Love all the shops you visited. Ironically of all the times we have been there we have never officially been to San Ysidro Ranch. There are so many good restaurants to choose from. Love it!
We should go together!
Well, that looks like fun!!! You know I didn’t remember that you could shop in Summerland. It’s been forever since I’ve shopped there if I ever did. But It all looks marvelous.
It was fun, Sandra! Not too far for you to go for the day!
Mary Ann,
What a fun trip and a beautiful location. I’ve saved the listing for future reference.
xo,
Karen
It was fun, Karen!
WHAT FUN TO GET AWAY WITH THE LADIES!
A GORGEOUS SPOT TO BE TOO.
I am going to mention a NEGATIVE COMMENT.I do not care for the 4 photos with the AD in the middle!Don’t know if I am alone on that…….I think every time I see the 4-photos its a DIFFERENT POST!Plus you cannot see the entire photo!I know some TECHY person is telling you to do that but it really “TAKES AWAY” .For example we know the photos are SAN YSIDRO as you mentioned it.Then you say good lunch spot.Then you have your LINK…………….as if we should click on that FOR LUNCH RESERVATIONS!
Elizabeth, do you mean the four photo collages with the title circle in the middle? I make those on Canva. They do well on Pinterest where most of my traffic comes from. When people see these on Pinterest, they click over to get more details. When I have lots of photos, like I did for this post, I thought grouping them together in the four photo grid would make the post shorter and less cumbersome. But I will take your opinion into account and perhaps get rid of so many collages and be more selective with fewer photos.
Hi Mary Ann,
It sounds like you had a wonderful couple of days! It’s always good to get away for a few days to refresh and catch up with friends.
I grew up in that area, (one hour north actually), Santa Barbara was where we went to get some culture and see things that would inspire us. Our little town was dull, dull, dull! We were there at least twice a month (if not more often) and loved exploring. The whole coast from Lompoc to Los Angeles was very well traveled by my family! My girls really enjoyed the Santa Barbara zoo when they were little.
I haven’t been back in such a long time I know things have changed but it’s still beautiful. The Mediterranean Coast of California!
XO Heidi
Heidi, it IS like the Mediterranean Coast.
What a fun house and that view, wow! I’m going to make a note of it for our next family get away. Love that whole area from Ventura to Santa Barbara, so many fun places to stop and shop! Lotusland is definitely a must, but you need to make reservations. A visit to Santa Barbara Public Market should also not be missed, Corazon Cocina is one of many wonderful places to choose from. So many places to explore, I need to take a trip there soon. And of course, all the Lure restaurants are amazing, great food and Debbie’s talent for making beautiful interiors.
Gail, this house would be good for your family!
What a fabulous trip with girlfriends. I am glad you had a good time, much needed for you.
Ha! True, Patricia. I needed the fresh air and friend time!
My husband and I spent 3 nights in Santa Barbara at the end of February, We had beautiful weather and the 5 hour drive was spectacular! We want to go back, soon!
I loved the home furnishings store “Rooms and Gardens” on State Street. Lots, of blue and white pottery, think Mark Sykes (I bought his latest book from them), fabric, furniture, rugs, art. They even have chickens in the back garden/patio!
Love your blog and Instagram!!
Thanks, Renee. A couple of people have mentioned that store. I used to go to the one in Santa Monica that’s closed now. I have to go there when I go back!
Although I am an East Coast native, I have spent time in both Carmel and Santa Barbara. They were amazing towns and I loved my time there. Nice to see the pictures! I loved the absolutely perfect weather and no virtual humidity!
Come back, Linda!!
This is so pretty, love Ventura. The Lure Fish House is one of our favorite restaurants when we’re in the area. My brother and wife live in Oxnard and our son and family live in Simi Valley. The kids have already decided they will retire to Ventura in 30 years. So enjoy your blog! Your 5 favs, decorating, fashion, shopping, family, food, it’s always entertaining, I inhale it all. Thank you so much for being so creative and
sweet with sharing.
Thanks, Colleen for the sweet message…makes writing the blog worthwhile! My friend, Debbie designed The Lure Fish Houses! She is so talented.
What a fun trip with friends! Summerland is so easy on and off the 101 – I like Botanik for inspiring container plants and interior accents and design. William Laman in Montecito (and so many more delightful shops in the same Plaza del Sol shopping area). Lotuisland for an amazing botanical garden experience. Santa Barbara is just dreamy.
This is why I need to go back, Stacy.
Thank you for introducing me to some of the businesses in Summerland. I’m always in a hurry when I buzz by there on the freeway but I should do a day trip. The house you rented looks just right for an interior designer to feel right at home in. It’s so nice that you and your girlfriends got to have a get-away especially after all you have been dealing with after your mother’s death.
We leave tomorrow for same to San Diego to a house at the beach that I have high hopes for, judging by it’s pictures. I rented it last year for an April stay with my 2 grown kids, spouses and 2 little grandsons. When that was cancelled, we had a year to re-book and now it’s just the old folks going since my kids still aren’t ready to venture out…….very sad to be going without them. It also looks like the weather won’t be very cooperative but at least we’ll have a change of scenery!
It really was a nice trip, Wren. So sorry you won’t have your grandkids with you…but hope you will still have some fun.
Mary Ann, you were right down the road from me! So glad you had a good visit with your friends. Well deserved!
Thank you, Sarah!
I am going to ask my sisters if they would like to meet here and stay in that beautiful house.
You won’t regret it!
Hi Mary Ann,
Thanks for sharing. I was wondering if this home had a bedroom on the main floor?
Good question. No, but there is a fold-out sofa.
Mary Ann, this looks like a wonderful trip to make. The house is gorgeous and the shopping looks even better.
It was so fun, Elizabeth. You should go!
Yes…a great time, Elizabeth!