Wanderlust

The garden at Suzanne's Restaurant in Ojai

Where have you been traveling this summer? I have been visiting some of my favorite spots in California. It's been a summer of road trips! After going to Napa in June, my husband and I recently travelled to Ojai and Santa Barbara where we spent four wonderful days. The beauty of these two places took my breath away. It seemed that everywhere I looked there was a garden and/or a view. It didn't hurt that there was also some great shopping!

 Ojai Valley Inn
Many of the cottages look out onto lushly planted courtyards

Ojai is a 90 minute drive north of Los Angeles and is one of the most magical spots to visit in southern California. Positioned at the base of several vast mountain ranges, it is definitely off the beaten track. In fact, it feels like one of those places that time has passed by. There are citrus groves, roadside fruit stands, and an old-fashioned arcade of shops downtown. For the hiker and nature lover, there are myriad trails and glorious sunsets. And if you want to unwind, the spa at the Ojai Valley Inn is one of the best. The hotel also has four swimming pools, a golf course, and absolutely beautiful grounds.  

I love the old Spanish architecture with its archways and intricate gates

The cottages are nestled in groves of old and graceful trees

The beautiful grounds and golf course

Perfect for taking walks at sunset when you can catch a glimpse of Ojai's famous "pink moment"

If you can tear yourself away from the Ojai Valley Inn, downtown Ojai has some great shops and restaurants, as well as some charming houses -- this is the Lavender Inn Bed and Breakfast.

Everyone seems to have a beautiful garden and the Lavender Inn is no exception

Boccali's, a roadside pizza stand, is a favorite spot for lunch
They serve wine from their own vineyard

In addition to fantastic pizzas, sandwiches and pastas, they also have some pretty good desserts

Not to be outdone in the garden department!

Dinner that night was on the patio at Osteria Monte Grappa
This charming restaurant has delicious Italian food

The bruschetta was fabulous

Modern Folk Living was one of the unique little stores I discovered on this trip. They have a beautifully curated selection of women's clothing, jewelry, accessories, and home decor. I especially loved their linen dresses and tops by Nuthatch, a company in Maine.

Our second dinner in Ojai was at Suzanne's where we enjoyed this beautiful view of the garden


On the way to Santa Barbara, it is always fun to stop in Montecito

 The gorgeous Four Seasons Biltmore Hotel in Montecito is a great place for lunch

I loved their summer cocktail menu

 A visit to William Laman is a must in Montecito; he carries great items for the house and garden

And Jenni Kayne Home has one of the most enchanting children's sections I have ever seen

Next stop was Santa Barbara and El Encanto Hotel

 El Encanto Hotel is a Santa Barbara icon that dates from the 1920's. It sits high amid lush gardens and offers a magnificent view of Santa Barbara and the Pacific Ocean. It has just undergone an extensive renovation and the results are stunning!

The view from the swimming pool

The cottages are are surrounded by beautiful gardens

The famous lily pond

The impressive brick arbors are covered in vines

I loved catching hydrangeas in this gorgeous light on a late afternoon walk

One of our favorite things to do when in Santa Barbara is to take the 40-minute drive to Los Olivos, a charming historic town in the Santa Ynez Valley. The first thing I spotted when we arrived was this rose-covered arbor. So beautiful. Los Olivos is in the center of Santa Barbara's wine country and has extensive views and magnificent scenery. It is a also a great place to do some wine tastings and eat lunch. We dined at Sides Restaurant, an old-fashioned barbecue-style cafe, famous for its house-made bacon. 

A typical wine-tasting room in Los Olivos
I loved its chalkboard message: "Drink wine, Everything will be fine"!

Our last breakfast at El Encanto's beautiful dining room and terrace before returning home

Where have you been traveling this summer? Have you taken any road trips? The best thing about these four days in Ojai and Santa Barbara was that we never had to get on an airplane. Sometimes it's just so much fun to get in the car and explore the wide open roads in your own neck of the woods!