By Susan Hart Hellman 
Photographys by Elizabeth Messina

SANTA BARBARA has been called the American Riviera, and it only takes one drive through this stunning intimate city nestled between gentle cascading hills and the deep blue Pacific to understand why the comparison with the famous French resort is frequently made.  It is truly unique in its subtle blend of classy and casual with its Old Spanish architecture, inviting arches and tile roofing, and its lush landscape wherever you turn.

We’ve asked some of the leading wedding professionals to reveal the insider tips on where the “sweet spots” of Santa Barbara can be found. They’ll share with us the most gorgeous wedding sites, the most exclusive hotels, restaurants, and which activities will be the most fun for you and your guests. Soon, you’ll have an even better understanding of why Santa Barbara is called the American Riviera. Now it’s just up to you to customize your own Santa Barbara Destination Wedding, the perfect gift for any bride and groom to give their wedding guests.

THE PERFECT DESTINATION
    To start our inside tour, Jill La Fleur of The Wedding Planner, suggests the new Canary Hotel. If you’ve dreamed of a wedding atop a charming Mediterranean-style city, then Canary Hotel can fulfill that dream. This Spanish Colonial hotel is in the heart of the city, and it boasts the highest rooftop of any local hotel—perfect for a wedding up among the stars with a blanket of sparking city lights laid out below. With 97 luxury guest rooms including 24 suites, this location could very well be the center of your wedding weekend.
    Maybe you’d like an element of the Santa Barbara history in your ceremony? Mary Anne Knox, of MAK Events, suggests the Santa Barbara Historical Museum. “This wedding gem is hidden right in the middle of Santa Barbara’s historical district,” Mary Anne says. “You can have your ceremony and reception at this location. There are two courtyards you can utilize.” Even if you prefer a church ceremony, the Historical Museum will still work for your reception because the Chapel at El Presidio de Santa Barbara is just a block away.
    Just minutes from downtown Santa Barbara is El Encanto. It has hosted brides and grooms since the 1900’s with its secret gardens, lush lawns, flowered terraces, and an ocean view. The Lily Pond with wisteria-covered pergola is the wedding site, the Grand Lawn is for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, and then it’s back to the Lily pond for your reception dining. Consider staying at the El Encanto too; there is a secluded honeymoon suite.
    Moving down the coast to the luxurious Montecito area, The Music Academy of the West is a hidden treasure worth exploring. The campus includes Miraflores, a century-old Mediterranean style estate, which eventually became the Montecito Country Club. Miraflores has a grand ballroom, formal dining room, and large patio. Although the Academy is home to music students during the summer months, it is available for weddings other times.
    An Oceanside wedding in Montecito—all one can say is, “Ooh, la, la!” The Four Seasons Biltmore, a luxurious hacienda, can provide you with such elegance. For the smaller wedding, consider the Mariposa Garden, nestled among the Spanish architecture with a Pacific Ocean view. For medium size weddings, there is the Palmera Garden, a flower boarded flagstone courtyard, or the Escala Garden courtyard in view of the resort’s famous spiral staircase. For larger weddings, La Pacifica Lawn overlooking the ocean or Monte Vista, a grand lawn with stunning mountain views is ideal. It’s all ideal. In fact, why even leave the Four Seasons? When you’re making your ceremony plans, make your reservations for the secluded guest cottages.
    For your smaller, intimate Montecito wedding, Mary Anne Knox says, “Stella Mare’s epitomizes the Santa Barbara feeling —warm, relaxed and classy.” They have two locations, a restaurant that sits on the edge of Montecito, overlooking the Andree Clark Bird Refuge. She adds, “You must sit in the greenhouse and enjoy a cappuccino or, if you prefer, a delicious Lemon Drop martini in the late afternoon, with the hum of the fireplace beside you and the gentle Santa Barbara light caressing your face. It just doesn’t get much better than that.” Or their event center in uptown Santa Barbara called Events by Stella Mare’s which combines the wine country cuisine and French provincial décor of Stella Mare’s Restaurant with the versatility of a venue designed to host a large party.
    Melissa Lee, owner of Events of Santa Barara , an expert on the Santa Barbara Harbor, has several ocean-side wedding venues for your consideration. “The largest hotel along the beach is Fess Parker’s Doubletree Inn,” she says. You may recall actor Fess Parker played Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone on TV in the 1950s. “The resort contains wonderful restaurants and other amenities. Besides providing wonderful accommodations, the resort also hosts weddings in its large Plaza del Sol, overlooking beautiful West Beach.”
    If a wedding near the ocean is not close enough to the water for you, how about a wedding on the ocean? Again, Melissa Lee has the answer. “The Channel Cat is one of the world’s largest sailing luxury catamarans and it takes waterfront weddings to the next level.” The Channel Cat boasts a 35-foot bar the owner has named the ‘John Wayne Bar.’ Melissa also recommends exploring the Condor Express, “This boat has a large deck outside and a beautiful teak-paneled cabin inside. The Condor Express has booth seating for up to 68 people.” The Santa Barbara Sailing Center’s Double Dolphin is also available for weddings.
    Have you considered a vineyard wedding? If your thoughts just turned to the movie Sideways, you’re right, this is the place. Jill La Fleur reminds us that winery weddings have become the thing to do, and many wineries throughout the Santa Ynez Valley offer you that opportunity. She suggests the Rideau Winery, which she says is one of the best-kept secrets in the Valley. “It’s one of the prettiest settings in an old adobe home that has been redone. There is a great kitchen, lawn area, wonderful wines, and a beautiful setting.”
    Jill adds, “Of course I always love Crossroads Polebarn at Firestone. It’s really an amazing spot for a wedding—one of my favorites.” This is Firestone’s Crossroads Estate, situated in an oak-studded meadow with a rustic pole barn with a raised stage. That’s only one of the wedding sites at the Firestone Winery. The Curtis Winery has high-beamed Mediterranean ceilings, wrought-iron chandeliers, and a Barrel Room appointed with French oak barrels and murals. Curtis Winery’s tasting room makes a wonderfully intimate setting for after wedding festivities, too. The Firestone Walker Taproom at Firestone Walker Brewing Company features an antique bar from London’s Liverpool Street Station. This is another location you may want to work into your wedding plans.
    Fess Parker’s Wine Country establishments offer you several opportunities as well—21 luxurious rooms for accommodations within the Fess Parker Wine Country Inn. “You and your party can experience an intimate getaway in the heart of Santa Barbara wine country. You can do the wedding at the Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard and the reception at Fess Parker’s Wine Country Inn.” The winery has several wedding locations including expansive lawns, the cozy Fireplace Room, and Marcella’s Verandah. Just 5 miles down the road the French country “Vintage Room” at the Country Inn & Spa is available for your reception.
     These sweet offerings are only a few key ingredients to tempt your pallet of what Santa Barbara has to offer. Explore and enjoy our hidden treasures and perhaps discover a few of your own.

AROUND TOWN

“One of our favorite restaurants is the BLUE AGAVE,” says Mary Anne Knox with MAK Events. “It is arguably the most romantic atmosphere in town, beautiful dim amber lights with rich red velvet curtains.  If you are not already engaged, you’re certainly could be by the end of dinner.”

“Call SANTA BARBARA SAILING CENTER to book a chartered boat to take a group out on a deep sea fishing excursion. For kayaking, make reservations through PADDLE SPORTS. If any of your guests are live on the edge types, call WINDHAVEN GLIDER RIDES so they can experience Santa Barbara from a different perspective,” Jill La Fleur recommends.

“What would a destination wedding in Santa Barbara be without wine tasting,” Jill La Fleur asks.  “Call CLOUD CLIMBERS JEEP TOURS and let them know where and what you want to see. Request stops at SUNSTONE, FIRESTONE and GAINEY WINERIES. The wine is wonderful and the setting picturesque. You can also take a self guided tour using the map from the SIDEWAYS MOVIE. You can find a map online at www.santabarbara.com”

Melissa Lee states, “One of the ‘hot spots’ downtown is the WINE CASK, in the heart of Santa Barbara’s El Paseo district. It’s awesome food!” And as you may have guessed by its name, the Wine Cask’s wine list is 65 pages long and offers a fantastic selection of foreign and local wines!

MONDIAL, another award winner in our wedding professionals’ estimation! It is a great rehearsal dinner location, and offers the best dessert in town. You can order not one, but three desserts, the Trio. They’re small versions of their crème brulee, deep fried stuffed banana, the miniature rootbeer float, and the ice cream sandwich.

If you’re dining in Montecito, Melissa Lee says, “go to LUCKY’S on Coast Village Road.  The atmosphere in this small rather hiddenaway restaurant has been described as “upscale Santa Barbara chic.”

The MONTECITO INN is just steps away from boutique shopping along Coast Village Road. Melissa Lee says, “This is a spot to visit. The former owner was Charlie Chaplain, and Inn’s visitors have included dozens of movie stars over the years.”

“Hop aboard the OLD TOWN TROLLEY,” recommends Mary Anne Knox, “to get around Santa Barbara easily, with stops scheduled at Sterns Wharf, Fess Parker’s Doubletree Inn, the Simpson House, the Montecito Inn, and all points in between.”

High on the list is Restaurant NU, Scott Topper says, “They make a great martini. Old style martinis, like the Sidecar.” There are different “events” each night—wine tasting night, champagne night, martini night, for instance, all accompanied by some the best appetizers in town.

Jill La Fleur shares, “OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL CHURCH holds the distinction of being the oldest parish in Southern California. One of the most recognizable landmarks in Montecito today, it can be traced to the earliest rural settlers in Montecito, the soldiers of the Santa Barbara Presidio and their descendants. “

“STELLA MARE’S is perhaps one of the best examples of Santa Barbara style. A true local’s favorite, the unique decor is French Provincial meets Santa Barbara style, giving it a light, airy feel that typifies the term casual elegance.,” says Mary Anne Knox.

        FAVORITE RESORTS

       FAVORITE VENUES

       FAVORITE VINEYARDS