Tag 13 - Our Route to Santa Barbara

We left the hotel around 8:30 AM and made a sweet stop: We grabbed some cinnamon delights for the road at Old West Cinnamon Rolls along with a delicious coffee. Feeling well-fueled, we continued on to Santa Maria, where Tina finally bought a pair of cowgirl boots at Boot Barn after trying on many pairs – after all, they are now trendy not only in the USA but also here in Germany.

Our next stop was Los Alamos, a small town with charming western-style houses, where we strolled briefly. Further along the route was Solvang, which is entirely built in Danish style – windmills, half-timbered houses, and small cafés. We only stopped briefly, as we don’t really need Europe in America. 😅

Upon arriving in Santa Barbara, we first settled in a park, walked along the beach, and took a look at the lovely neighborhood where our Airbnb is located. Since we couldn’t check in until 3 PM, we took the time to shop for fresh groceries.

When we finally moved into our guesthouse, we were warmly welcomed by our host. She was born in Norway but has been living in the USA with her husband for over 40 years. While she tended to her garden, she shared many exciting stories and gave us great tips about the area. The small house is nestled in a lovingly landscaped garden – a real gem.

After we stored our luggage, we explored a bit more of Santa Barbara, grabbed a fresh smoothie and enjoyed the atmosphere of this well-kept Spanish-style city. In the evening, we prepared delicious wraps in the outdoor kitchen in the garden and spent the rest of the evening among palm trees, a bubbling fountain, and fluttering hummingbirds. We also had some cuddle time with our hosts’ dogs and cats – a perfect ending to the day.