Santa Barbara: Introduction: Why Go Now: Santa Barbara's New Shine

Santa Barbara's New Shine

A host of entrepreneurs, led by Ty Warner (founder of Beanie Babies and owner of New York’s Four Seasons Hotel), have been polishing up Santa Barbara’s hotel options. Warner owns the two finest properties, the Four Seasons Biltmore and the San Ysidro Ranch, and has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to transform them into two of the best resort hotels in the country. And with the new Peter Marino redo of the legendary Coral Casino Beach & Cabana Club, the pool service is, in a California way, as glamorous as that of the Hôtel du Cap.

Next summer Orient-Express Hotels plans to reopen the El Encanto hotel & garden villas, and an L.A. developer has vowed to restore the Miramar Hotel and Bungalows with a new spa, beachfront boardwalk and family-friendly bungalows. Today your best options are the Biltmore and the Ranch, as Warner’s properties are nicknamed. Hide out at either one for an indulgent escape, or bring your family and make one of the hotels your home base for a week or longer as you explore the region from the wine country and beaches, even up to Hearst Castle. There’s great natural beauty and plenty of activities for families—from bike riding and horseback riding to whale-watching cruises. And for the visitor who wants to try on the local lifestyle, there’s never been a better time to check-in.