Solvang or Santa Barbara for 1 night - Where to stay?
Jun 30th, 2008, 11:05 AM
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Solvang or Santa Barbara for 1 night - Where to stay?
We will be driving from San Jose and are planning to stay in either S0lvang or Santa Barbara for 1 night on our way to LA. We are definitely planning on visiting both but are not sure where to stay. We would like somewhere that is within walking distance of retaurants/shopping, under $200/night but nice and clean. Also, any advice on restaurants, wineries, etc in this area would be much appreciated! Thanks in advance!
Jun 30th, 2008, 12:53 PM
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DEFINITELY Santa Barbara. Solvang is nice, but SB is better. As far as hotels I'd recommend the Franciscan Inn, well-maintained, 2-3 blocks from the beach, 10 minute walk to the pier or the marina in the opposite direction, and at around $150/night, a bargain in SB. State Street is the main drag and it empties out at the pier, but most of the restaurants are a few blocks up. It's still walkable but easier to drive.
Wineries are about an 1-1.5 hour drive, but a couple good ones are the Firestone and Fess Parker.
Wineries are about an 1-1.5 hour drive, but a couple good ones are the Firestone and Fess Parker.
Jun 30th, 2008, 07:07 PM
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In SB try Country Inn By The Sea. Near Solvang consider the Marriott in Bulleton. Hitching Post between Bulleton and Solvang for a good dinner. IN SB I like the cajun place on Cota, I think it is named the Palace Grill.
Jul 1st, 2008, 04:14 AM
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We stayed in Santa Barbara a few years ago and were recommended to go to a fantastic Fish Restaurant, maybe called the Fish Place, something like that, it was very atmospheric, maybe someone who lives in Santa Barbara may know the name. You can see them cooking the fish/seafood etc.
Jul 1st, 2008, 05:48 AM
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SANTA BARBARA!! Near the ocean, seafood out on the pier; visit the Biltmore if nothing for the history; then drive north into the Santa Ynez Valley, stopping at Cold Spring Tavern, an old stage coach stop that one-of-a-kind and worth the (long and winding) road for an awesome lunch (Do not attempt after dark)! Solvang is a Disney-Danish-make-believe town of tschotkes (sp?) and tourists.
Jul 1st, 2008, 06:17 AM
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Mason Beach Inn might come in at your price range if it's not a weekend night. Eagle Inn is a bit more isolated, but from the Pier there's a 25c trolley going up and down State Street so you really don't need to drive.
Solvang is worth a one-hour stop and look-see.
Solvang is worth a one-hour stop and look-see.
Jul 1st, 2008, 01:58 PM
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Ha, socialworker in truth I completely agree with you, I was just trying to be diplomatic 
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Restaurants in SB: Cafe Buenos Aires (on State St), any restaurant on the Wharf just for the experience, Endless Summer (at the marina), and the Brown Pelican (good for breakfast, right on the beach).
. Restaurants in SB: Cafe Buenos Aires (on State St), any restaurant on the Wharf just for the experience, Endless Summer (at the marina), and the Brown Pelican (good for breakfast, right on the beach).
Jul 3rd, 2008, 10:44 AM
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Thank you so much for all the great advice! We booked the Franciscian Inn - Santa Barbara. So glad I asked since we definitely don't want to stay in a town where everything closes up at 7pm!
Jul 23rd, 2008, 06:39 AM
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Now living in frantic, fast-paced, never-a-dull-moment New York (having moved here from lovely, serene, the Riviera of the United States Santa Barbara, after a 15-year residence there) definitely go to Santa Barbara, by-pass charming but very tourist-y Solvang and spend your time in Santa Barbara. Dining and wining and beach walking are all fantastic.
A wonderful surprise is the beautiful and treasure-filled - Santa Barbara Museum of Art on State Street. The Chase Bar & Grill is just a few steps down on this street - a nice place for a lovely lite-fare Italian luncheon. ..and later - do visit El Paseo (not Paseo Nuevo - which is fine for shopping - Nordstroms, and such..) but El Paseo in which is nestled the very lovely Wine Cask restaurant with a wonderful wine list and superb cuisine and decor.
You will have a terrific time and plan for your next trip there - i'm certain.
Enjoy!!
A wonderful surprise is the beautiful and treasure-filled - Santa Barbara Museum of Art on State Street. The Chase Bar & Grill is just a few steps down on this street - a nice place for a lovely lite-fare Italian luncheon. ..and later - do visit El Paseo (not Paseo Nuevo - which is fine for shopping - Nordstroms, and such..) but El Paseo in which is nestled the very lovely Wine Cask restaurant with a wonderful wine list and superb cuisine and decor.
You will have a terrific time and plan for your next trip there - i'm certain.
Enjoy!!
Jul 24th, 2008, 04:59 PM
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Yes, stay in Santa Barbara and visit Solvang. I lived near Solvang as a child, back in the 60s, and it's nothing like it used to be, but go and experience it. I also lived in Denmark for 20-plus years of summers, so Solvang to me is a bit overkill...but good for the tourists.
When you get to Santa Barbara definitely eat at Opal's restaurant. I'll probably be zipping up there tomorrow, from the L.A. area, to eat there and also go to the great Shona, stone-art gallery called Spirits in Stone...on State Street #717, right next to Macy's. Friends and I zip up there just to eat at Opal's and go to the gallery.
Someone recommended the Buenos Aires Cafe, but personally I don't like the place...took an out of state guest there, a few months ago, and on a Sunday since Opal's was closed. I tried it and found nothing specail with it. Happy Travels!
When you get to Santa Barbara definitely eat at Opal's restaurant. I'll probably be zipping up there tomorrow, from the L.A. area, to eat there and also go to the great Shona, stone-art gallery called Spirits in Stone...on State Street #717, right next to Macy's. Friends and I zip up there just to eat at Opal's and go to the gallery.
Someone recommended the Buenos Aires Cafe, but personally I don't like the place...took an out of state guest there, a few months ago, and on a Sunday since Opal's was closed. I tried it and found nothing specail with it. Happy Travels!
Jul 25th, 2008, 08:20 AM
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Stay in Santa Barbara, go to Solvang in the morning. No traffic until later. It's a good place to find pastries or have a good meal in the morning. I agree that it's not the most exciting place at night, but if you're doing the "Sideways" drive (hopefully with a designated driver - I'm pretty sure Hitching Post was in the movie too), most of the places from the movie are pretty close by.
Jul 26th, 2008, 09:33 AM
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I think it was the Hitching Post on the scene where they meet Virginia Madsen's character. Also, I saw that AJ Spurs was in the movie also. In Solvang we enjoyed the pastries at Olsen's bakery a couple weeks ago. I agree about staying in SB and just spending time in Solvang.
Jul 27th, 2008, 06:55 PM
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Travelingirl...I just zipped up to S.B. on Friday to do lunch at Opal and had another great meal. The people at the table across from me asked where I was from and I told them Pasadena. They were from San Luis Obispo and had driven 2 hours to eat there. They said they zip there for lunch,too.
It's across the street form Cafe Buenos Aires , and to the right of the historic Santa Barbara Theater.
It's across the street form Cafe Buenos Aires , and to the right of the historic Santa Barbara Theater.
