I picked an absolutely stunning weekend to schedule a Segway tour in Santa Barbara. I had yet another Groupon for a tour with Segway of Santa Barbara (http://www.segwayofsb.com/). My friend Thom (yes, he pretty much does all the fun stuff with me – we’ve been friends for a long time) joined me again, he had never been to Santa Barbara, so this was a good opportunity to show him around. We drove up early in the morning as we had a 10am tour time. Thankfully traffic was near non-existent and we got there in plenty of time to park and walk through downtown a little bit. The Segway shop is right across from the beach and a block off State Street (and a couple of blocks from the train station).
We really lucked out with weather; it was cool, but not cold, and clear skies with just a slight breeze. Given the time of year, it was near perfect. Our group was about nine people, plus our guides Michael and Josh. Michael started us out at the west end of the beach at an open lot/park lined with palm trees that lined what had once been the grand entrance to a huge hotel. The area was originally called Burton’s Mound and was bought by Milo Potter in 1901 to turn it into a resort. He built a 6 story hotel/resort on the 30 acre spot that was one of the largest hotels on the west coast, the Potter Hotel. It was very lavish. This spot also has been a Chumash village at one time. When the hotel burned down in 1921, it was intended to be rebuilt, but wound up being sold to different developers who built various hotels and businesses on the property. Also, Chumash bones were found on the site that were dated back over 10,000 years. Today the remaining parcel with the palm trees is left as a park.
We cruised down the boardwalk down eastward toward Butterfly Beach, which was our destination. We stopped outside the Santa Barbara Zoo, which is located just near the border of Santa Barbara and Montecito. We got a decent view of the giraffe enclosure (though the giraffes were not in view at that time). We continued on into Montecito and cruised past the cemetery on the north side and on into a residential neighborhood. Michael stopped us at the corner of a path leading past a huge estate. It turns out the estate was built by Ty Warner – the creator of Beanie Babies. He bought up several lots on the bluff over the ocean and torn down the homes there to build his estate. When we went down the path around the back I was able to snap some photos over the wall. It really is a HUGE estate. When you get on the path on the bluff behind the homes, you have some stunning views of Santa Barbara as well as the Channel Islands (and unfortunately some oil rigs).
We cruised down the path to the Four Seasons Hotel, and the Coral Casino. We stopped to take in the views and get some pictures. I wouldn’t mind getting a room there sometime (when I’m feeling wealthy, or get a great deal!). We buzzed around behind the hotel and back around the cemetery (which I think would be a cool tour in itself – going through the cemetery) and back down to the path to the beach. We wound our way back to the shop where we started, and it really seemed like we had not just spent two hours on the Segway, but we had. Michael and Josh made it fun, interesting and informative. They offer a couple of other tours of Old Santa Barbara and the Mission, so I believe I will definitely be going back to experience those!
After our tour, it was noon and we were hungry. Thom had another Groupon for the Greek House Café just off State Street on Haley. It’s a little hole in the wall. We both ordered the gyros wrap, as well as a side of hummus and pita. The hummus was delicious, and I detected a note of honey in it. It was too busy for me to go back and ask if they put honey in it, but I am pretty sure they did. The gyro was very good too. Quite tasty. It was also very unique in that they put French fries in the wrap! At first I thought it was onion, but Thom said it was fries. I’d try them again.
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We walked around State Street and did some shopping, We had gotten to the northern end of the main shopping district and looked for the bakery Michael at Segway had recommended for cupcakes, Crushcakes & Café (www.crushcakes.com). It is located on the corner of Anacapa and Arlington. I wound up getting a Lemon Drop cupcake and a small taste of the Red Velvet. Both were very yummy. They were very generous with the frosting too!
Alas, it was getting late in the afternoon, so we had to get back to the car and head back home. It was a very nice day to spend and we were blessed with ideal weather. I love Santa Barbara and will have to make a point to go visit more often (and also blog about the food scene!).
