Nothing Comes Close to the Golden Coast

You have probably noticed a serious lack of cooking going on here.  I have said it before, and I will say it again -- I am too busy living this summer to be cooking.  Which on one hand makes me very, very sad.  Because I love cooking.  But on the other hand? 

Well, when you have views like these you have no desire to be in the kitchen!



Ventura Wharf



The Courthouse in Santa Barbara

We took some time out of our already jam-packed summer schedule to squeeze in a road trip, just the two of us.  No convention to sit through, no bridesmaid dress to pack.  Just us, the open road, and a cooler full of food.

Our first stop was Ventura, a town on the coast about an hour (or so) north of Hollywood.  We walked and enjoyed the palm-lined paths next to the ocean, he enjoyed some surfing, and I enjoyed my chips and book. 

Next stop?  Santa Barbara.

This has always been, hands down, one of my favorite California cities.  It has beautiful Spanish architecture and a nice sea breeze mixed with good eats and great shopping.  If you want a romantic get-away, this is the place to go.



A door full of engravings of California's founders, along with some Catholic saints.  California was officially established (other than the Native Americans already here, of course) by Catholic missionaries.



The Mural Room



Lighting inside the courthouse



Spiral stairs.



Outside the courthouse, which is free to visit and you can wander around freely



State Street, Santa Barbara's famous downtown area



A little alley way off of State Street



Sunset over the city, view from the pier

The next day found us running around on the Pismo Dunes.  We didn't get a buggy or anything, but we still had a lot of fun.

And finally, we spent a day at a lake, soaking up the sun and wakeboarding.



The peaceful drive out there



Ahh... life at its best.

 What a PERFECT getaway.  We didn't go very far, but we had a blast.  Sometimes what you need is right in your own backyard.

And now I leave you to head to the kitchen.  Brownies?  Yum.  S'mores?  Yum again.  Let's see what happens when those two ideas are combined!


(A 'Wednesday Files' Post)