Santa Barbara - Travel Blog

Santa Barbara Beaches, Views Convert Visitors to Locals

By Will McGough | Thursday, 12 April 2012 | Comments | Subscribe to updates

I was in the cab on the way to the bus station and my driver told me that he used to live in Houston, but a friend set him up with the fare to go to Washington to find better work. On the way it stopped for a night in Santa Barbara, and after a walk on the beach and a look at the mountains, he decided he didn’t want to leave and never got back on the bus the next morning. That was 22 years ago.

It's a prime example of the Santa Barbara experience – how the place can infect you very quickly. It happened to me in 2009: I went out for a visit, then promptly went home and collected my belongings.

Here are a few photos from my most recent stay in town:

Leadbetter Beach

Harbor View

Leadbetter Walking Path

Cabrillio Blvd. Downtown SB

Mountain View

Upcoming Trips: Finger Lakes, St. Maarten, St. Simons

By Will McGough | Wednesday, 04 January 2012 | Comments | Subscribe to updates

Warmth Needed! (Photo taken in Punta Cana.)

When I woke up and saw the dusting of snow on the ground (Philly area), I brewed a hot cup of coffee and began looking over my plans for the next two months - specifically my two-week trip to St. Maarten/St. Martin in the middle of February.

I might have mentioned that I just relocated back east from California, and all my friends think it's funny to send me the weather report from Santa Barbara: 70s and sunny today.

That's all right - no seasonal depression here, however I do require a touch of warmth in my life - and I'll have details of my island plans for you in the beginning of February.

Before that (end of January) I get another shot of the cold when I visit the Finger Lakes to check out Wine on Ice and take a scenic flight over the area. I was there recently to check out the fall colors, and now I'll see what the winter is like in Upstate New York. The Rosewood Inn (bed and breakfast) will be my home for the weekend.

It's a long way off, but I confirmed the other day that I will be headed south in April to check out the King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort on St. Simons. More info to come on that - I believe I will wrap it in a trip to check out Savannah as well.

Stay warm, kids.

Day 1: Santa Barbara to Flagstaff Ends in Failure

By Will McGough | Sunday, 11 December 2011 | Comments | Subscribe to updates

I had one goal today: Make it to Sedona before sunset.

Fail.

I passed through Flagstaff with about an hour until twilight, but the clouds and mountains had other plans, ushering in the darkness before its time. Boat in tow, I retreated to Flagstaff where I'm holding up for the night.

Nothing special - just a cheap room to catch some sleep - tomorrow I check out Monument Valley and The View Hotel.

Here are some photos of the drive - it truly was beautiful, the green hills of California giving way to the brown, rocky mountains (which are snow covered in Flagstaff).

Even though the dark sky ruined my chance to see and photograph the rock structures in Sedona, it did create an awfully nice sunset. The clouds were all over the place, some streaking and others glowing.