I'm fine tuning our trip to SB in a few days. Has anyone ever had lunch here and is the food good? I want to spend some time touring this property since we aren't staying here. How far is Montecito from SB?

We will be staying at the Harbor View Inn and I have the Wine Cask planned for our anniversary dinner. Also, a dinner at Olio e Limone and probably a lunch at Brophy Bros. First time here, so anything special we should do? Shopping on State St, Stearns Wharf, wine country. Which are the best and closest wineries to tour? We like Syrah and Pinot Noir. ***kim***

Check your post on chowhound, I did my review of it over there.

Hi Kim, Lucky you! This sounds like a wonderful getaway. On your wine tour, Sanford Winery on Santa Rosa Rd in Buellton is a great stop to taste exceptional Pinot Noir, especially their La Rinconada. It's also a nice place to bring a picnic.

If you have time before your trip, it would be fun for you to see the movie Sideways. It was shot on location in Santa Barbara county wine country. I believe the SB Visitors Bureau has made a "Sideways Tour Map" that guides you to many of the wineries, restaurants and other spots featured in the film.

Montecito is a short drive from Santa Barbara. The location of the Four Seasons is primo, but I don't think a "tour" of the place will impress you much. Pane y Vino is a nice spot for lunch, and the Montecito Cafe (at the Montecito Inn, a short walk from the Biltmore) is great for lunch too. The Inn that Charlie Chaplin built!

Lucky you at the Harbor View!!!

Sorry, "short drive" doesn't tell you much, does it? Maybe 10 minutes? If I recall correctly, you don't even have to get on the freeway to get to Montecito, just follow the beach road south along the coast and before you know it there's a sign for Coast Village Road.

It's been cool in California lately and if it's too cool to dine outside on the wharf I don't think Brophy's is worth a stop. The Bay Cafe used to be very good if it's still around...and the Zia Cafe for mexican.

kimamom,

I just read on another thread here that you are interested in the Santa Barbara Wine country, too, and would like some recommendations for tastings.

I have just returned (I think I'll have finished my trip report in a few hours, so you might want to take a look) and would suggest to absolutely do a tasting at Arthur Earl in the town of Los Olivos. They have a tasting room on Grand Avenue across the street from the Fess Parker Wine Country Inn. I thought they had some of the best wines in the area (esp. their Zinfandel and Syrah)
I also liked Fess Parkers Winery, although this is a lot bigger, of course. They are located at 6200 Foxen Cyn Road, North of Los Olivos.

Regarding your question of how far the Four Seasons is from the Harbor View Inn, I should think a 7 to 10 minute drive would be about it. When I stayed at the Four Seasons some 10 years ago, I believe you could stay on the coastal road. I seem to recall that nowadays there is a one-way-section allowing you to only use the coastal route from the FS Biltmore into town.
It should be a safe bet to just get on the 101 and exit at Olive Mill Road. But as you have a GPS, you shouldn't encounter any problems.
The FS Biltmore is a lovely historic place to stay at, but I agree with tracys2cents that touring the property is not as rewarding as for example touring the Del in San Diego. Still do go there for lunch- I think you are certain to enjoy it.

Enjoy your time!
hsv

Thanks, all. I'm sure we'll enjoy our lunch at the Four Seasons, then go to SB to walk on Steran's Wharf before we check into the Harbor View Inn. One night they have included breakfast for us at Eladios's.

I've already checked out their breakfast menu. It sounds like they have lots of yummy eats for breakfast there. ***kim***

kim, you make a circle when you dot the "i" in your name, don't you?

slotowner, I've added your suggestions to my list. It would be fun to see Sideways while we're visiting SB!! ***kim***

consider a wine country tour with welovewine.com - Grape Education, I think they call the company. We considered this the best four hours of our three day trip to SB in October -- JUST GREAT. And a real bargain! No I don't work for them, but I can't help but say great things about them.

We went to Brophy bros for dinner, but ended up leaving after drinks. The smell of the fish and old frying oil made the idea of eating unpleasant. Loved breakfast at teh Brown Pelican. If you only go for coffee, that's enough cause it's the view that's unbeatable. You can watch the dolphins play.

BTW, the shopping on State Street is nothing special. Just about the same as you'd find in any mall - Baby Gap, Chico's. Spend you time doing something else that you can't do elsewhere.

We enjoyed State Street shopping, as it was very cold and windy one day. We had planned the beach, but decided on the shopping and took in Sideways at the Rivera Theater. Very nice old building located next to the El Encanto Hotel.

The next day was sunny and gorgeous and we able to ride our bikes all over the wharf and waterfront. Very fun trip! I'll post a full report a little later. ***kim***