Travelogue: Old (And New) Familiar Places

Ah, Santa Barbara…

In my humble opinion, it is one of the best cities in California. 

You can argue this, but I need to remind you that I am a native of the state. Therefore, I speak with history and authority.

Why Santa Barbara? Let me first dispel a history lesson…

Since 1542, the Spanish found the land off of the Pacific Ocean to their liking. It was already the land of the Chumash people who have cultivated the communities on either side of the Santa Ynez Mountains and beyond. 

Over the years, other voyagers arrived by sea, then by land, to settle into this seaside land of the Chumash. Then, a Presidio and a Mission was established in the late 18th Century. From there…well, if you know the history of colonization, you know how this story goes. 

Onward to 240 years later, Santa Barbara has become a community nestled against the Pacific Ocean with the Channel Islands off to the horizon. It was a nice place to drive through – or visit – when I was a child. That was before President Ronald Reagan turned his Rancho del Cielo into his “Western White House” in the Santa Ynez Valley. 

Before I get ahead of myself, I need to answer the earlier question. Santa Barbara is where we posted up for the media drive of the 2025 Nissan Kicks. However, we were treated to a wonderful place where my family once roamed back when I was a mere child.

Beyond the mountains to the immediate north of the city, the Santa Ynez Valley was introduced to me a child for its not-so-great split pea soup in Buellton and the transplanted Danish town of Solvang. The latter was one of mom’s favorite destination as she would pick up her needlepoint from a store called Thumbelina. As of 2021, the retail store has evolved into an online shop. The split pea soup place has turned into a hotel. 

The Santa Ynez Valley was not only home to Reagan. You may have heard of a tract of land called Neverland Ranch – or, of its late owner Michael Jackson. 

Other celebrities have also called Santa Barbara County home. From Ellen DeGeneres, Oprah Winfrey, Prince Harry and Meagan Markel…to name a few…have raised the profile of this community by the sea. Its distance from Los Angeles and the entertainment industry is its main attraction for making Santa Barbara County home.

It is not perfect, mind you. Recent floods, landslides, and wildfires have challenged the good folks along the seaside community. It would be easy to write this off as “typical California,” but it is part of the topography and climate they live in. 

Aside from these factoids, the Spanish Revival and Mediterranean architecture is what draw tourists to Santa Barbara. It seems that it has also drawn the automobile manufacturers to use the county for various media drive events. 

Before I dive into what Santa Barbara looks like now, let me back up even further. 

My first memory of Santa Barbara and surrounding communities was when I was six – that puts us around 1970 – as we drove to see my father’s side of the family. We did plenty of car trips along US Highway 101 for the most of the 1970s. 

Since those days, I’ve only been there a few times by car. I believe my last time was in 1990, as I took US-101 down for my brother’s wedding. I kind of missed Santa Barbara, the coastal communities, and the Santa Ynez Valley. 

After 34 years, I returned. This time by air. This time is for Nissan.

We were treated to a beautiful city. A stunning area where the pier is just feet away. A pier full of food, frolic, and fun. The Santa Barbara Pier was where you get your first taste of the local seafood – including sea urchin and other shellfish. 

Local shellfish was front and center at Loquita, a few blocks from our hotel on State Street. Most of the dishes from this very popular tapas restaurant came from local seafood sources. The main paella course was amazing, by the way. 

Speaking of the hotel, I cannot praise the Hotel Californian enough! They treated us exceptionally with superb services, restaurants, catering, and extra amenities. The hotel itself is a treat with three buildings with comfortable rooms of varying types. My bed was super soft, and the shower worked out fine for me. It was the perfect combination of Art Deco and Spanish Revival consistent throughout the multiple buildings of this perfectly located hotel. 

State Street has completely changed north and west of US-101 in downtown Santa Barbara. It is now closed for pedestrians and mobility vehicles so everyone can shop, dine, and enjoy a beautiful day in Santa Barbara.

The word “beautiful” will be overused in this article. Rightfully so. Everywhere I turned, Santa Barbara showed its majesty from its seaside to the Santa Ynez Mountains. The topography and the scenery were beyond what I remember it from decades ago. I will admit that this was the most tine spent in Santa Barbara in. my entire lifetime. Time well spent.

But we were in for a real treat. Our drive route brought me back to Solvang and the Santa Ynez Valley. California Highway 154 took us out of Santa Barbara’s west side through the mountains and into places I remember – as well as places I never stepped foot in. 

Los Olivos and Santa Ynez were new-to-me places. Always seen on maps and highway signs, but never explored. You can tell that they were just very small communities some 50 years ago, but these communities as tourist-focused destinations. Only to certain extent. Los Olivos has wine and olive growing businesses producing some lovely varieties of each. Whereas, Santa Ynez is the home for the local band of the Chumash people with their museum and casino in place. 

Yet, my media drive quest was finally fulfilled in Solvang. The Danish-inspired community has not changed for the most part. Maybe a few places have come and gone since remembering this city over the past 50-plus years. I was also warmly welcomed upon the sight of an LGBTQ+ Pride flag at a motel on California Highway 246. 

I acknowledge the fact that some of my colleagues may appreciate visiting Santa Barbara and the Santa Ynez Valley as part of their experience. It is also part of their work to meld the driving impressions with the vehicle subject. For me, certain destinations fuel memories to revisit. This place was one of them. 

Yes, it was a wonderful time. These places brought on a rush of memories. Would I pass that way again? Only if the opportunity presents itself. If it does, consider me a “yes.”

As for you, please discover Santa Barbara and the Santa Ynez Valley. You will be duly rewarded. 

We should be reminded that this is where Katy Perry was born and raised, along with a few other notable personalities. Perhaps this media drive trip was some sort of “teenage dream.” 

DISCLAIMER: The 2025 Kicks, along with travel and logistics were provided by Nissan Motor Corporation USA

All photos by Randy Stern