Driving up or down the California Coast, you can't help but marvel at the natural beauty and the breathtaking coastline. The old bridges, the peaks and valleys, the long stretches of speeding across the beachfront, and the California towns that dot the coastline. You get whiplash looking back at the pretty scenery. In the middle of this vast paradise sits Santa Barbara, a town known for high-class style, low-maintenance living and quiet getaways. With many small inns and airfares to California remaining low to moderately-priced, Santa Barbara has some great travel deals for the non-package minded traveler. It's the perfect place to just relax or an easy base for great day trips.
To get to Santa Barbara, fly into Los Angeles and drive the two hours north to your hotel. American Airlines (tel. 800/433-7300; www.aa.com) has reduced prices on several routes in and out of L.A. including Austin (from $198 round-trip) and Nashville (from $208 round-trip). You have to book online and air taxes and security fees are not included in the price. USAirways (tel. 800/241-6522; www.usairways.com) has a round-trip flight from Ft. Lauderdale to Los Angeles from $198 if you travel before June 6, 2005. Even within California, Southwest Airlines (tel. 800/435-9792; www.southwest.com/hotfares/041123_california.html) maintains steady low fares to and from such points as Oakland, Sacramento or San Jose, CA to L.A. and back for $78. Air taxes and security fees not included. Travel must be completed by June 6, 2005 and two-weeks advance booking is recommended.
Some really great specials are available at the three-star Hotel Oceana (tel. 800/965-9776; www.hoteloceanasantabarbara.com/special.asp). The "Breakfast, Bubbly, Bliss" package, available now through January 31, 2005, includes an upgrade to a Costal View room, a bottle of champagne and a continental breakfast each morning for the reduced cost of $147 per night with single or double occupancy, down from the normal $200-plus range. Tax is not included. Enter the code "Bliss" on the reservation page or mention the word when calling the reservations center.
If you love the movie Sideways as much as the next oenologist, the Oceana has a package that'll tickle your wallet as well as your palette. For $429 per couple without taxes, enjoy a two-night mid-week package at the beachfront hotel and a six-hour jeep tour of the Santa Barbara wine country complete with a knowledgeable driver who'll take you through the vineyard-full Ynez Mountains and around the Ronald Reagan homestead and back to the hotel for a spectacular sunset. This package includes a room with a King-sized bed for two nights, Oceana hotel T-shirts, the six-hour wine tasting tour including tasting and winery tour fees, a picnic lunch a 16-ounce souvenir glass. This tour is available through June 8, 2005.
Also, the Oceana Hotel has a special on rooms through January 31, 2005 for $125 per night. You need to book travel by December 27, 2005 and mention the word "Zoo," as this rate is available in conjunction with Travelzoo (www.travelzoo.com).
The popular Inn at Spanish Garden (tel. 866/564-4700; www.spanishgardeninn.com/Packages.html) offers several packages including a "Night of Enchantment" deal that includes one night in a deluxe room with an over-sized bath tub, a bottle of wine upon arrival, and a $95 gift certificate towards your meal at bouchon santa barbara (www.bouchon.net), a gourmande's treat in downtown Santa Barbara. The price of the total room and dining package is $329 per couple. Travel must take place between Sunday and Thursday, making this getaway the perfect one-night excursion in your California travel scenario.
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