Vacation Rentals - Santa Barbara, California

Whether you're looking to get away for a weekend, a month, or an extended stay, Santa Barbara offers plenty of resort and other lodging opportunities for the recreational-minded cyclist or a nature loving bird watcher who just wants to walk the pristine beaches of one of California's most desirable oceanfronts with a pair of binoculars and plenty of sunscreen. Expansive, nearly endless panoramic views of the California coast are easily attainable on a variety of vacation budgets, and Santa Barbara's numerous accommodations and vacation rentals are often your best bet when it comes to securing the perfect location for your Santa Barbara weekend.

There is never a shortage of things to do in Santa Barbara, either. You'll want to wake up early and go to bed late to take everything in. The sheer volume of parks and recreational activities consistently rank amongst the highest in California, including spectacularly manicured golf courses, the Cabrillo bike path, the Ty Warner Sea Center on Stearns Wharf, and the esteemed Andree Clark Bird Refuge to name a few.

If your taste slants a bit more toward the cerebral, you'll be happy to hear that Santa Barbara is host to the renowned Santa Barbara Museum of Art, with admission starting at $6 and free admission for children. The wheelchair accessible museum has featured original works by the award-winning, Russian contemporary photographer Roman Vishniac, in addition to its current exhibition featuring the late Brett Weston, a California native whose distinguished career is brilliantly showcased in a fascinating retrospective spanning nearly 70 years, from the 20s to the 90s.

Most Santa Barbara summer rentals and estates offer privacy and numerous luxuries, including bubble baths, fully furnished kitchens, washer and dryer, full internet connectivity, toasty fireplaces and a private telephone line if you're inclined to put your cell phone on silent for the weekend and take some surfing lessons from any of the handful of surf schools in the area.

Other attractions include The Waterfront, which features three beaches, plenty of restaurants, a fully functioning harbor, and a skate park for the teenagers and unemployed hipsters. Enjoy romantic night walks on the well-lit cobblestone path while sipping a frozen drink with your loved one, and discuss the possibility of permanently relocating to a Santa Barbara vacation rental if you can just convince your boss and kids that a California vacation just isn't enough time to really appreciate everything Santa Barbara has to offer.

When it comes to vacationing, few places can compare to the therapeutic, aesthetic quality of Santa Barbara, California. There's a reason it is considered a true luxury lifestyle. Consider getting a taste of the Santa Barbara lifestyle by staying at one of the beautiful vacation rentals. There are some beautiful rentals in town that will allow you to experience Santa Barbara's grand nature without breaking the bank. Whether you crave the perfect holiday villa, an immaculate private beach home, or a fully furnished house, a vacation rental in Santa Barbara, California will provide you with a unique relaxed environment that you will not find in the local hotels or resorts.

About the author: Melissa Pierson is a self-made entrepreneur, a well known travel consultant and vacation home interior designer. Her specialities include Santa Barbara vacation rentals, luxury and budget vacation accomodations. She consults with tourists on the differences between local Santa Barbara luxury hotels, motels and hotel packages, and spa resorts.