Where to Travel Spring 2014:
Waterfront Getaways in the U.S.A.

Get lost in the clamor of waves against a New England beach. Savor a five-star meal in a bustling city that sits on a bay. Watch surfers tackle Pacific rip curls while you sip a local beer. You don’t have to cruise to the Caribbean to get the peace of mind that only comes from a waterside vacation. This country’s coastlines are as diverse as they are beautiful—so match your mood to a shoreline destination.

In Search of… Grown-Up SoCal Beach Town

Santa Barbara, CA

Chill and picturesque surf town meets wine haven

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Stand-up paddleboarding in the Pacific.
Photo by Kevin Steele/Aurora+/Getty Images

Vibe: California, as a concept, will always hold a particular sway over us Northerners: Who are these chosen people who live with 12 months of 70o and sunny? This town, especially, wraps up all we want in a West Coast vacation—canyons and a sandy beach cove, small surfer town and world-class wineries, and phenomenal food to be had in flip-flops.

Stay: You’ll remember the small stuff from a stay at El Encanto—lanterns strewn across the property that illuminate the brick walkways; private porches off the bungalows; stationery and pillows that are monogrammed for each guest. The hotel reopened last spring after a massive renovation, which maintained the property’s historical elements and maximized its celestial hilltop location. Inside, bungalows and suites are as picture-perfect as a Pottery Barn catalog. Rooms start at $525 a night. 805-845-5800.

Eat: The hotel’s chef takes local to a new level with cheese made from an on-site cow, and homemade beer. On a clear day, you can see the Channel Islands from the restaurant’s balcony. On weekend nights in the lounge, a Frank Sinatra-
esque heartthrob croons tunes. In town, no-frills Lilly’s Taqueria serves up one item—delicious tacos, for $1.60 a pop.

Be a tourist: Grab one of the hotel’s electric bikes and cruise toward State Street, Santa Barbara’s main shopping boulevard, to find shops, bars, eateries and palm-lined sidewalks. (You’ll appreciate the bike’s pedal power on the uphill return ride.)

Be a local: Santa Barbara County produces some of the state’s best foodstuffs. Find them at the farmers’ market, which operates six days a week all year long.

Water time: The Santa Barbara Adventure Company offers a great package for stand-up paddleboarding, with a lesson, a wet suit and a wildlife tour.

Another option: Go north to Sonoma County and stay at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa. It’s a Zen resort in a hip town that also has amazing wines. —Caroline Horstmann

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Time to Wine
Go tasting, your way

Wineries abound in Santa Barbara County

Wineries abound in Santa Barbara County.
Photo by Santa Barbara Visitor’s Bureau.

Create your own: Don’t care about grape grafting or the terroir? The Urban Wine Trail leads you through the many tasting rooms that local wineries have downtown. It’s sort of like a walking progressive dinner—you know, without the food.

Roll Alfresco: Hop in an open-air Hummer and take the road less traveled to some of the area’s best wineries (or breweries). Santa Barbara Backroads provides the vehicle, driver, agenda and lunch.

Go Geeky: Wine Edventures leads educational tours that
give you all the right cocktail-party talking points on viticulture and the production process—and let you sip on more than two dozen wines.

Next: In Search of… Tasteful Tropics