Page 37 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL SPRING 2021 REDISCOVERING CALIFORNIA'S CENTRAL COAST

any travelers on Highway 101 breeze never live there, but we can pretend to over a long
past Santa Barbara on the way to some- weekend as we shop and dine with celebrity
Mwhere else. From the four-lane freeway, neighbors like Kevin Costner, Jennifer Lopez, and
there’s no sign they are missing one of the most Tom Cruise. In tony Montecito, we might pass
inviting cities on the West Coast, blessed with Oprah on her way to lunch or Prince Harry and
mild weather, natural beauty, an intriguing history, Duchess Meghan buying toys for their toddler son
gorgeous art and architecture and a vibrant urban Archie. Yet there are many affordable places to
center. That said, it’s also a very expensive place dine and stay here, regardless of the size of your
to live - even for California. travel budget.
Multimillion dollar homes and estates here form We’ve only visited three or four times in the last
an enclave for the rich and famous. Most of us will 30 years, and each time we’re there, we vow to re-

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