Nelson

Great sales gardyloo, confusion, I'm sold! Vancouver was not on the radar at first but it sure is now. I browsed over to the BC Canada forum and found more sales pitches from BC_Robyn, for example:
Vancouver, Vancouver island and Seattle

AustinTraveler, thanks for the maitai TR, Lotusland looks pretty nice.

As mentioned it's not really up to me, but I'll give her Vancouver and Sanata Barbara as choices. Kind of a no lose situation for us and we'll hit both one of these days. Thanks!

sunbum1944

If its Vancouver you decide on, check out the "Hello BC" website. You can chat live with an operator, Book events, ask lodging questions.
The last couple of times I stayed in Vancouver I stayed at the Longsdale Quay which is in North Vancouver. Not quite as bustling as downtown and you can take a "sea bus" to downtown. There is a Hop On Hop Off Trolley which was fine except sometimes you had to wait to get on the next trolley because of crowds. Probably better than driving though.

Nelson

Thank you sunbum, I now have the Vancouver page from Hello BC bookmarked:
https://www.hellobc.com/places-to-go/vancouver/

I will report back once she makes a decision (hard to say when...)

P.S. Gardyloo, some years ago you and janisj steered us to Murphy's, outside of Yosemite, which we didn't know about. Great suggestion then, so I have faith in this one.

sludick

If you do decide on Vancouver, maybe add the VanDusen Botanical Gardens to your list. https://vandusengarden.org/

Nelson

Thanks sludick, I have made note of it. The Bloedel Conservatory should be a highlight for her.

macdogmom

I live in Santa Barbara and the gardens are pretty wonderful. I love Lotusland and SB also has a very nice botanical garden plus some wonderful gardens around the spectacular County Courthouse (voted most beautiful building in the US by the AIA) and the Mission. The town is a stunning combination of mountains and ocean and Spanish architecture. Weather can be coolish and foggy in the early am and then burn off. We usually walk on the Montecito beaches but lots of nice walkable seashore. My bougainvillea that blooms every few months year round is a testament to this marvelous climate.

Nelson

Thanks for your response, sounds great. We spent time / lived in a couple year-round bougy locations. I agree it's a good yardstick for measuring a benign climate, something we don't have here in Colorado. Are you looking for new neighbors?

maitaitom

"I think Maitaitom did a trip report on Lotus Land and it looked super cool."

Yes, we really enjoyed it. Interesting story behind it, too. There is a lot more to see than just lotus flowers. Quite a spot to visit. You must book online in advance. They only let in a specific number per day as it is situated near a residential community.

https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/lot...ara-montecito/

macdogmom

Ganna Walska, the creator of Lotusland, was quite a character. I believe she started out as an opera singer with multiple husbands and a very theatrical style that she lavished onto the estate. Montecito is full of beautiful estates and has been a winter escape for easterners for the last 100 years and now full of Hollywood escapees. You may even get a glimpse of Oprah or Prince Harry picking up milk at the local grocer!

Nelson

Thanks for the TR maitai, AustinTraveler had also provided the link above. That place looks amazing, and the Walska story is pretty interesting. I went out to Wikipedia for even a little more info.

macdodmom, I don't think we'd recognize most celebs if we were standing in line with them, maybe they like it like that?

macdogmom

The really famous ones would love that you didn’t recognize them, the semi famous want you to recognize them! Here’s another great shot from lotus land with some of the amazing cactus up against the house.

Nelson

Hah, that makes perfect sense.

A few years ago I was at the bar in the Stanley Hotel (Estes Park) and this guy walks in:
Jack Nicholson Impersonator

Took a moment to realize it wasn't the real McCoy, but those were electrifying moments! In my teens I saw Mayor John Lindsay walking out of MOMA and recognized him, so I guess it's possible.

Thanks for the Lotusland shot, nice.

markpull4864

If you are visiting Vancouver don't forget to visit Classical Chinese Garden it's an amazing place

Nelson

Thanks much for all the suggestions. It looks like we are settling on Santa Barbara for this trip, slightly simpler logistics and fewer decisions involved (or so it seems).

Will save Vancouver for a not-too-distant future trip, when we have more time to stay (maybe 3 weeks) and more time to plan. For that I'd look into combining the city with a stay somewhere in a more remote BC lodge. But it's on the list now.

Thanks again!

mlgb

You better jump on those Lotusland reservations if that was the priority.You might be able to get a self-guided slot on the 13-16 July.

It looks like the week of the 17th isn't available at all. They have a big gala on the 23rd ($1000 per seat) so I'm guessing they are shutting down to get ready.

https://santabarbaraca.com/plan-your...xoCZqUQAvD_BwE

Nelson

Thanks for the heads up, mlgb

Nelson

I moved quick on it and was able to get Lotusland booked. The self-guided tours had only one ticket available (not two) on our dates, so I got a docent tour.

Vancouver is near the front of the future-trip queue now.

Thanks again for all the help. Safe travels.

mlgb

Awesome!

macdogmom

i toured this house once. Great example of Spanish architecture that Santa Barbara is famous for.
https://www.casadelherrero.com
I haven’t gone but you can also book day trips to the Channel Islands that has interesting native landscape and hiking.https://santabarbaraca.com/plan-your...annel-islands/
SB courthouse is magnificent building with amazing tile work and murals. Rooftop gives you 360 degree view of the city and ocean. SB Botanical gardens and the Mission and rose gardens are another two great spots. The SB historical museum downtown is also worth checking out.

mlgb

Where do you usually accesss the beach, macdogmom?

Coming up from LA I would often try Padaro Beach.

I've only accessed the Channel Islands from Ventura Harbor on Island Packers. Not sure it would be for the OP.