Place to stay:
- Montecito inn (It was built in 1928 by Charlie Chaplin. You can rent out Chaplin movies for free during your stay.)
- Arigato Sushi
- La Super-Rica Taqueria (It is a hole in the wall, but you can find authentic mexican food there. Be warned that you will definitely feel out of place there.)
- Bouchon (Great "wine country cuisine")
This was once the place William Randolph Hearst uses to entertain his elite Hollywood and political friends. Many parts of the castle was directly transported from buildings in Europe.
The highlight of the castle is the outdoor Neptune pool. It's built right on the edge of the hill. I cannot imagine how relaxing it would feel swimming in a pool like this.
There was also a zoo built on the ground by the castle. If you are lucky, you can still see some of the exotic animals roaming around.
It takes an another couple of hours to get to Santa Barbara from Hearst Castle. You should take some time stopping by the wineries that are on the way. Santa Barbara has some of the finest Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah. If you don't have time for individual winery, you can always visit the stores owned by some of the local wineries at downtown Santa Barbara for some wine tasting.
Santa Barbara is definitely one of those places that once you arrive, you can sense the California style. Street style is much glamorous and less casual. While there isn't much sightseeing, you can find many boutique stores. State street and surrounding area is certainly the place to go for shopping and food. While you are there, make sure to take a drive to Mission Santa Barbara. Also, a car is a must-have for your visit here.
Santa Barbara was a nice place to visit, if you want try out some great wine and local cuisine. It's not as low key as Monterey, but still has its own charms.
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