Santa Barbara

Articles

Whale Watching Off the Coast of Southern California

We went on two whale-watching tours: one in the Channel Islands, off the coast of Santa Barbara, and another, farther south, off Newport Beach.

San Ysidro Ranch Reborn

San Ysidro Ranch is one of the most legendary retreats in the United States. Now, after a flash flood and an extensive renovation, the property is back.

Discovering Santa Barbara’s Storied Past

On a recent trip to Santa Barbara, we got a sense of the area's storied past by visiting its famous mission, a historic park and a maritime museum.

Indelible Memory: A Santa Barbara Salt Cave

Many Santa Barbarans aren't even aware that one of the largest Himalayan salt caves in North America sits in the center of downtown. We had to investigate.

Waterfront Seafood Dining in Santa Barbara

Two establishments are consistently cited as the best seafood restaurants in Santa Barbara. We tried both but were only satisfied with one.

A Rustic California Guest Ranch Perfect for Families

Opened in 1946, Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort offers families numerous activities including golf, equestrian center, a kids' club and a full-service spa.

Excellent Santa Barbara Restaurants

As Santa Barbara's wineries have burgeoned, so too have places to eat. There is now an abundance of excellent restaurants, complete with superlative wine lists.

A Newly Recommended Hotel Near Santa Barbara

About 45 minutes from Santa Barbara, a blissfully rustic guest ranch enchanted our writer. With activities a priority here, it's perfect for family trips.

Santa Barbara Wine Country

Our writer spent the day sampling wine at tasting rooms across Santa Barbara wine country. Here are four of her favorite stops along the way.

Letter From the Editor: May 2019

For the May 2019 issue, our editors found an ecolodge in Cambodia, stayed at the latest hotel from the Aman founder in Vietnam and returned to Santa Barbara.

Guest Pinner: Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore

We've invited luxury beachfront property Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore in Santa Barbara, California, to guest-pin with us from September 7-11, 2015.

Just Back From | San Diego & Santa Barbara

One of our travel advisors takes a relaxing mid-week trip to the distinctly Southern Californian resorts Rancho Valencia and Belmond El Encanto.

Just Back From | South Africa & Mozambique

An Andrew Harper staff member shares details from his California destination wedding and subsequent honeymoon in South Africa and Mozambique.

Botanical Gardens of Lotusland

A walkthrough of Lotusland in Montecito, CA, one of the world's premiere botanical gardens.

2014 Grand Awards: North America & Central America

Winning hotels from the 2014 Andrew Harper Grand Awards in California, Canada, Florida, D.C., Nicaragua and Costa Rica.

A Santa Barbara Legend Revived

After a seven-year restoration by Orient-Express, Santa Barbara’s oldest hotel reopened last March. For decades, its famous terrace provided a glamorous stage for movie stars and presidents alike.

Gallery: San Ysidro Ranch, California

Congratulations to 2013 Hideaway Report Reader Survey favorite San Ysidro Ranch in Southern California.

In the News: El Encanto Reborn

Perched on a hillside overlooking Santa Barbara and the Pacific, El Encanto opened in 1918 and became a favorite hideaway for Hollywood’s elite.

El Encanto, Santa Barbara, Reborn

Perched on a hillside overlooking Santa Barbara and the Pacific, El Encanto opened in 1918 and became a favorite hideaway for Hollywood’s elite.

Notable Openings: Santa Barbara's El Encanto

(March 3, 2013) Orient-Express opens their first property on the West Coast, El Encanto, this week.

Ojai, California: Pretty as a Picture

A recent trip to California concluded with a weekend gathering of friends to celebrate an "ending-in-zero" birthday. Most

North American Dream Destinations

We asked the Harper travel consultants on the North America team to tell us where they would go if they could pick anywhere within their territory, from Canada to the Caribbean.

New Members of the Harper Alliance

Ever more Harper-recommended hotels are joining the Alliance, giving our members an increasing array of amenities.

The Canary Hotel, Santa Barbara

It is always a pleasure to discover a hotel that you like much more than you’d anticipated.