Mother Daughter Road Trip

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Before my daughter started her full time job seemed like the perfect time for a Mother Daughter road trip. We hit Pacific Coast Highway in my convertible, dance music blaring, and drove north towards Santa Barbara. It was a crisp California Autumn day, and we sang along as the waves splashed to our left and the mountains rose on our right. The first stop was Jeannine’s Gourmet Food Hall for lunch in Montecito, California. We ordered at the counter and grabbed a seat outdoors on their quaint Coastline road patio. It was delicious and relaxing.

Lunch at Jeannine's Gourmet Food Hall in Montecilo, California
Lunch at Jeannine’s Gourmet Food Hall in Montecilo, California
Montecilo, California
Montecilo, California

After lunch, we headed up the road for about 10 minutes to reach our afternoon destination, Lotusland. We met our docent, for a 2 hour guided walk through their multiple gardens and grounds. Lotusland was started by a fascinating woman named Ganna Walska from Poland. She planted various gardens to preserve specimen plants. We learned about her multiple marriages, careers, and goals. We saw species of endangered plants, as well as artistic pathways, ponds, and aviaries.

Lotusland
Lotusland Cacti Garden
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Sundial Garden
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Plumeria

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Our docent explains about Ganna Walska
Our docent explains about Ganna Walska
Local shells line the pool
Local shells line the pool
The lotus at Lotusland
The lotus at Lotusland

By twilight, we headed north again to Santa Barbara and checked into our hotel, the Bacara Resort. Our room had a balcony and was situated near the spectacular pool and beach area.

Checking into Bacara
Checking into Bacara
Bacara Resort
Bacara Resort
Balcony Babe
Balcony Babe

DSC05020When we woke up the following day, we waled up the hill to Ocean House for breakfast. A buffet and a view…what a combination!

Ocean House breakfast
Ocean House breakfast
view from Ocean House
view from Ocean House
Breakfast at Ocean House
Breakfast at Ocean House

We spent the day in the Funk Zone section of Santa Barbara. This part of town between the train tracks and the beach is home to wine tasting venues, local art, and outdoor cafes.

We stopped for lunch at The Lucky Penny and enjoyed a kale salad, chicken salad sandwich, and homemade chips.

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Lunch at The Lucky Penny
The Lucky Penny
The Lucky Penny
Mural in the Funk Zone, Santa Barbara
Mural in the Funk Zone, Santa Barbara
SUP shop in the Funk Zone
SUP shop in the Funk Zone
The Funk Zone in Santa Barbara
The Funk Zone in Santa Barbara
Guitar shop in the Funk Zone
Guitar shop in the Funk Zone
Art in the Funk Zone
Art in the Funk Zone
Cafe in the Funk Zone
Cafe in the Funk Zone
Wine tasting in the Funk Zone
Wine tasting in the Funk Zone

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Skate ramp on the beach
Skate ramp on the beach
Walking along the beach in Santa Barbara
Walking along the beach in Santa Barbara

We happily entered the spa after our day in Funk Zone, and were ready to receive our neck, back, and foot massages before driving to dinner. IMG_3728

Dinner that evening was at The Lark on their outdoor patio underneath portable heaters. Luckily, I was given a lap blanket because the temperatures were in the fifties! The food was unique and farm-to-table fresh.

The Lark
The Lark
The Lark dinner on the patio
The Lark dinner on the patio
Burrata and persimmon salad
Burrata and persimmon salad
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Roasted brussel sprouts

The following morning it was time to hit the road for our drive back to Santa Monica. London played disc jockey and we once again sang our way home.

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My First Mother-Daughter Trip

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