HERE COMES THE SUN?
Leave it to this Ohioan to pick an overcast, chilly, grey day to visit the usually bright and sunny coastal town of Santa Barbara. Even so I enjoyed the visit, although I will admit roaming around by my lonesome while surrounded by oodles of affectionate couples and happy-go-lucky families riding bikes, licking ice cream cones, and dining together did have me feeling a bit dejected and longing for some company of my own.
Boardwalk
Stearn’s Wharf
View from the Stearn’s Wharf
Butterfly Beach
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I was able to hit up many of the hot spots recommended for a quick day trip: The Santa Barbara Harbor, Stearn’s Wharf, and Butterfly Beach, as well as a jaunt down State Street (not pictured, but just imagine a street lined with cafes, restaurants, boutiques, and those oodles of aforementioned couples and families…)
While the harbor and State Street were nice enough I soon wanted to escape the crowds and therefore booked it to the small and relatively secluded Butterfly Beach. I reached just before sunset, but it being too cold and windy for my liking, chose to lounge in the back seat of my car and read. I ended up falling asleep and awaking around midnight to a peaceful and serene night. The wind had ceased and the temperature warmed. I decided to take a barefoot jaunt along the vacant beach under the beautiful moonlit sky. It turned out to be a glorious evening well spent.
I returned to my car to awake the next morning – now sunny and warm – to paddle boarders, swimmers, families with romping dogs, friends walking with morning coffees in hand, bikers, joggers, and even dolphins making an appearance. I took it all in before driving through town once more, catching the Sunday Art Walk on my way en route to Ojai.
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Final thoughts: While it definitely earned another visit in my book, I will wait to go again with a significant other, a good buddy, or once I have a family of my own. It’s just that kind of thing better shared, like a tandem bicycle: fun, but who the heck wants to do it alone and why would you even try?
