Santa Barbera-San Luis Obispo

[jonathan_brewer1]

My wife and I are going to take a train ride to the Santa

Barbera-San Luis Obispo area, instead of staying in a big hotel, we'd

like to find a Bed 'n Breakfast spot or small cottage hotel by the

ocean, away from a big urban area if possible, does anybody know if

this is a possibility?

 

We'll be renting a car once we get to the area, but I'd also like

to walk around w/my wife on foot near where we're staying and shoot a

little.

[kf0gg]

I don't know for sure but Santa Barbra is small. There are lots of places on State street that you can stay in. Its not on the ocean but darn close enough. Make sure you get to the pier where you drive on with your car. There are some cool eating places and good photos to be taken both early aand late in the day.

[ucsbgaucho]

Jonathan, I live in Santa Barbara, and I can direct you to some great places to stay, and also to shoot.

 

As far as bed and breakfasts, there are a ton here, as long as you don't mind paying $200 a night or so. Here's a list of Bed 'n Breakfasts online:

http://santabarbaraca.com/category.php?s=visitor&cid=9#_59

 

The Simpson House Inn is the only 5-diamond BnB in the U.S. There are plenty others as well. If you're looking for a hotel that is kind of small, most of the ones in SB are like that, unless you stay at the Four Seasons Biltmore, the Fess Parker Doubletree, or the Bacara. The newly-opened Hotel Andalucia sounds like its VERY nice and right smack in the middle of the downtown area.

 

As far as needing a car, if you stay close to downtown you might not ever need one. State Street is the main shopping area and you can easily walk from the harbor all the way up to the Arlington Theater, basically the upper end of the main downtown district.

 

For shooting locations, take a look at my website for some ideas, but I'd suggest hitting the Mission, the Courthouse (Sunken Gardens and going up the tower, which closes at 4:45pm), Stears Wharf (and the famous dolphin fountain), the harbor, the lagoon near the Zoo (across from East Beach), anywhere on State Street, Hendry's Beach (101 exit Las Positas) or Butterfly Beach (At the Biltmore) for sunsets, or if you want to take a drive, go up over the San Marcos Pass (Hwy 154) to get into the wine country, Lake Cachuma, etc. You can also get north of SB via the 154 so that might be a nice way to drive up to San Luis, it connects back with the 101 north of Buellton.

 

If you'd like any more suggestions, or clarifications on anything I've written, don't hesitate to email me!

 

Chris

http://www.chrisaustin.us/index2.html

chris@chrisaustin.us<div></div>

[ucsbgaucho]

<img src=http://www.chrisaustin.us/album/landscape/images/Courthouse-pano.jpg>

<img src=http://www.chrisaustin.us/album/landscape/images/breakwater-sunset.jpg>

<img src=http://www.chrisaustin.us/album/landscape/images/harbor-dark.jpg>

<img src=http://www.chrisaustin.us/album/landscape/images/Lagoon-near-zoo.jpg>

[jim_kish]

There are B&Bs in SLO, although SLO is not on the water (downtown's nice, though). Another option is Pismo or Shell Beach (15 mi S of SLO) which are,as one would imagine, on the water. The train also stops in Grover Beach (next to Pismo), which is almost within walking distance of the Oceano dunes if you want to play Weston.

 

Write if you need more help.

 

jim at kishbike dot com

[jonathan_brewer1]

Denis and Chris, thanks for all the info...............great shots and the locations will do nicely,............from the looks of things, we'd probably spend half a day around the pier, and then go out to the wine country we've heard so much about.

 

Is there a favorite restaurant of yours around the pier or in the general area(which can keep my wife occupied while I shoot), that isn't elbow to elbow with tourists? Would the smaller hotels be a more cost effective alternative to the $200.00 Bed 'n Breakfast outfits, and just as/close to being as cozy?

 

I like it already, it looks laid back. I hope you got my e-mail, a cozy smaller hotel at a lower price will do just as well, thank you Chris for all the detailed info.

[jonathan_brewer1]

Thanks Jim for the info, I know we're gonna love no matter where we stay, it's a beautiful looking area.

[kf0gg]

I like Moby Dicks. Its not a fine food restuarant but the food is acceptable. The veiw is great and the service is good.If you have breakfast there they make a good Bloody Mary....Good Luck and have fun..

[ken_hughes4]

thanks for the pics Chris, damn, I miss Santa Barbara!

[mike_barger]

Is Del's camera still open? I'm pretty sure it was in Santa Barbara