Los Angeles & Southern California - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [313]
Loma Vista B&B ( 951-676-7047, 877-676-7047; www.lomavistabb.com; 33350 La Serena Way; r incl breakfast $130-220; ) Welcoming hilltop B&B with 10 rooms (four with vineyard-view balconies) and a hot tub. Rooms are individually furnished from country to art-deco styles. Known for delicious full breakfasts.
South Coast Winery ( 951-587-9463; www.wineresort.com; 34843 Rancho California Rd; r from $209; wi-fi) A very Temecula way to stay. Rooms in a few dozen villas dot the edge of the vineyards, around a spa and a well-maintained fitness facility. Your room key comes with a wine glossary and rates include a bottle of wine and tastings.
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EATING & DRINKING
Bank of Mexican Food ( 951-676-6160; 28645 Old Town Front St; mains $7-12; lunch & dinner daily, breakfast Sat & Sun; ) In this handsome former bank (c 1913), try mahi tacos, huevos rancheros or anything with the righteous Mexican rice.
Swing Inn Cafe ( 951-676-2321; 28676 Old Town Front St; mains $5-14; breakfast, lunch & dinner; ) A proud local institution since 1927, with red leatherette seating and lots of windows to watch the world go by. The Swing Inn serves three square meals, but everyone goes for breakfast – luckily it’s served all day. The biscuits and gravy are renowned.
Sweet Lumpy’s Barbeque ( 951-506-3747; 28464 Old Town Front St; mains lunch $6-23; 11am-8pm Tue-Sat, 11am-4:30pm Sun; ) Tops in town for barbecue-pulled pork (get yours on a sandwich with coleslaw) alongside burgers, chicken and garlic fries. Eat in the dining room or on the terrace at picnic tables next to hay bales.
Vineyard Rose ( 951-587-9463; 34843 Rancho California Rd; lunch mains $12-25, dinner mains $18-34; breakfast, lunch & dinner; ) South Coast Winery’s gracious cavernous restaurant has a Craftsman-style barn feel and vineyard views from the balcony. Penne with seafood and petite filet mignon are big hits. At breakfast, the banana pancake with vanilla-bean sauce and coconut may make your head spin.
Wine & Beer Garden ( 951-506-4474; 28464 Old Town Front St) Rough ’n’ ready outdoor bar with frequent nighttime entertainment like guitar soloists and singers. It’s right by Sweet Lumpy’s.
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ENTERTAINMENT
Many wineries offer entertainment, from guitar soloists to chamber concerts. Check at the visitor center or www.temeculacvb.com for upcoming events. Pechanga Resort & Casino ( 877-711-2946; www.pechanga.com; 45000 Pechanga Pkwy) books stand-up in its Improv comedy club, and the 1200-seat Pechanga Theater hosts the likes of Aretha Franklin, Jonny Lang and the Shanghai Acrobats.
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GETTING THERE & AWAY
Temecula is just off the I-15 freeway. Either of the Rancho California Rd or Rte 79 exits will take you to Old Town Front St. Allow 45 minutes from San Diego, 55 from Anaheim, 75 from Palm Springs or 80 from LA.
Temecula’s Greyhound stop ( 951-676-9768; 28464 Old Town Front Street) sells tickets for twice-daily buses heading to San Diego ($17) and Los Angeles ($23).
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Santa Barbara County
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HISTORY
SANTA BARBARA
ORIENTATION
INFORMATION
SIGHTS
ACTIVITIES
TOURS
FESTIVALS & EVENTS
SLEEPING
EATING
DRINKING
ENTERTAINMENT
SHOPPING
GETTING THERE & AWAY
GETTING AROUND
AROUND SANTA BARBARA
BUELLTON
SOLVANG
SANTA BARBARA WINE COUNTRY
ALONG HIGHWAY 154
VENTURA
OJAI
SUMMERLAND
CHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK
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Santa Barbara’s gotten a bit frisky in the new millennium. Tucked between the majestic Santa Ynez Mountains and the shimmering Pacific, the city’s red-tile roofs, white stucco buildings, Spanish mission and sleepy Mediterranean vibe have long given credence to Santa Barbara’s claim to the title of the ‘American Riviera.’ It’s a gorgeous place to loll on the beach, eat well, shop a bit and push your cares off to another day. But the city’s waking up, jump-starting the nation’s nascent ‘green movement’ in an outside-the-box, upbeat style highlighting electric shuttles, accessible urban