T.G.I.F! I am so excited for this weekend, mostly because it means I'm only ONE WEEK away from seeing the bf for the first time in OVER A MONTH! Gahh this whole bi-coastal thing is terrible!
The Urban Wine Trail is a collection of over 20 wine tasting rooms and even some production facilities located close to downtown Santa Barbara. I love that there is such a big and accessible wine tasting scene so close to the heart of the city. Not all of the wine is great (Deep Sea is actually probably the worst, but it has the most instagramable background) but the ambiance and experience is awesome. Definitely one of my go-tos whenever I have friends in town.
Since it's Friday, I'm linking up with Eat Pray Run DC, Mar on the Run and You Signed Up for What?! for the Friday Five Linkup. This week's theme is "5 Things to Love About ____". As Mich as I've missed the bf and my friends back in the DC area, I know that I've been lucky enough to move to an amazing new city. So to remind myself of that, I'm sharing 5 things to love about Santa Barbara.
1. Running
Before I moved to Santa Barbara, I was just starting on my 2014 goal to be a real runner and was still not the biggest fan of running outside. Being able to run in perfect weather along the beautiful California coast has changed all that, and the course views definitely helped get my through my first 10-mile race.
Before I moved to Santa Barbara, I was just starting on my 2014 goal to be a real runner and was still not the biggest fan of running outside. Being able to run in perfect weather along the beautiful California coast has changed all that, and the course views definitely helped get my through my first 10-mile race.
2. Beach Volleyball
Santa Barbara has TWO beaches with permanent volleyball nets set up for public use, a great city rec league with doubles, triples, and fours beach volleyball for all levels, and a really great pick-up volleyball scene at East Beach. It's great exercise AND you get to be at the beach, getting a tan, and enjoying the great views (Of the ocean. Not the people. Although...).
Santa Barbara has TWO beaches with permanent volleyball nets set up for public use, a great city rec league with doubles, triples, and fours beach volleyball for all levels, and a really great pick-up volleyball scene at East Beach. It's great exercise AND you get to be at the beach, getting a tan, and enjoying the great views (Of the ocean. Not the people. Although...).
3. Delicious Mexican Food
I've complained a lot about the lack of good Asian food options (can I get a decent Korean barbecue and Chinese noodle shop please?) but one thing there is a ton of in Santa Barbara is delicious Mexican food. We have really great cuisine from all over the globe in DC, but the freshness and authenticity of the Mexican food here is definitely superior.
4. Urban Wine Trail
5. New Friends
Finally, even though I miss all my friends back East, I have met some pretty amazing people here, including these crazy girls. Plus, moving to a city where I don't know a single person has really forced me to get out of my comfort zone and work on that whole personal growth thing.
Q: What are 5 things to love about your city?
I would love to visit Santa Barbara!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome any time. I'm a great hose :)
DeleteHost lol. Stupid swype!
DeleteAhhh beautiful! I love that my city has easy access to outdoor activities like boating and hiking.
ReplyDeleteThanks Heather! The fact that everyone is so active outdoors here too is another one of my favorite things!
Deleteaww looks like you're having such a great time out there!! worlds different from dc haha. Jealous of your beautiful/humidity-free runs !
ReplyDeleteThanks Lindsay! Lots to miss in DC, but humidity is definitely not one of them :)
DeleteLove this post! I love my city because it has the ocean, trees and mountains all in one place, the weather is temperate, the people are awesome, there is great food and always something to do!
ReplyDeleteThanks Amalia! I am a big fan of the ocean/mountain combo too. Your city sounds pretty perfect! :)
DeleteI want that beach and that Mexican foo!
ReplyDeleteHaha yea I want it all the time too! :)
DeleteOh let's see, good schools, lots of great trails to run on, sunny most of the year, and a great downtown. Love Santa Barbara. It's just far enough way to feel like we're vacationing but close enough that we can go for a weekend and not miss work!
ReplyDeleteYour city sounds great! I also love how accessible Santa Barbara is to a whole lot of other great California towns. Definitely need to explore Orange County more!
DeleteSanta Barbara looks so pretty! Gotta love a place with fun wine places, too!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lindsey! I agree, the wine is key :)
DeleteMmmm beach and Mexican food!! I've been eyeing races in Santa Barbara.... interested?!?!? hahah
ReplyDeleteHalves to be exact hehe
DeleteHaha maybe... how much lead time do I have to get my mileage up? Lol
Deletegreat post! sorry we didn't connect when I was there. I absolutely love Santa Barbara and need to do more downtown exploring next visit - which I hope is sooner than next summer!
ReplyDeleteThanks Mar! Sorry I missed you too. Let me know next time you're in town and I'll show you around :)
DeleteOh, I MISS California! I used to live in San Diego and I visited Santa Barbara one time. My sis lives in Huntington Beach. You are a lucky gal!
ReplyDeleteThanks Michele! Ooh I haven't been to San Diego in ages but I've heard it's a great place to live. And Huntington Beach is super cool. You should definitely visit your sister/me sometime soon :)
Deleteohhhh you so make me want to move. Ok I already wanted to move, but you basically just listed them all :)
ReplyDeleteThanks fellow Amanda! Would love having you in town :)
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