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Santa Barbara is a lovely coastal town to spend a weekend, especially when you live only 90 minutes away. The drive up from Los Angeles involves ocean views and the quaint town of Montecito is just next door. So when my mother and I were searching for a spot to retreat this past holiday, we couldn’t help but oooh an ahhh over this adorable little stay at Simpson House Inn, in our mini bungalow perfectly named, The Garden Room.
Simpson House Inn is essentially a charming bed and breakfast, with rooms in the main house and surrounding cottages across the garden. Some have wide patios and all guests have access to a complimentary breakfast on the veranda as well as wine and hors d’oeuvres in the late afternoon. Everyone was so friendly and it honestly reminded me of Gilmore Girls when the same gentlemen I spoke with over the phone a few days prior greeted us at our car as we pulled in and showed us to our cottage.
Santa Barbara is a small town, with State Street at its center, just a short walk away from our hotel. I typically love to split my time between Santa Barbara proper and neighboring Montecito (full guide coming soon) as it’s most distinguished hotel, San Ysidro Ranch, is known for it’s quaint grounds and cottage accommodations. But for a much more reasonable rate, Simpson House, has a few small guest cottages, including this one we chose for obvious reasons!
I immediately envisioned my mother an I enjoying an afternoon on the private patio, sipping something warm or bubbly or both in the afternoon light, reading our books and magazines with coffee in the morning, overwhelmed with the charm of this picturesque place!
And that is exactly what we did.
The weather was warm enough for a chunky sweater and glass of champagne in the afternoon, a perfect escape from our busy day to day in Los Angeles. Sitting amongst the well landscaped greenery, a garden arch upon entry and the warmth of our small but cozy cottage at our disposal, I felt right at home in a Nancy Meyers movie!
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