While many Americans in the grip of winter dream of a faraway island escape, those in the know prefer to head west. In a quiet Southern California valley encircled by mountains and the Pacific Ocean lies the charming seaside town of Santa Barbara. Known as the American Riviera, Santa Barbara has long been the winter playground of celebrities like Oprah Winfrey. JFK and Jackie Kennedy, Julia Roberts and Danny Moder honeymooned here. Nancy Meyers, director of the recent hit movie It’s Complicated, chose Santa Barbara as the setting for this story because ‘it feels as close to the good life as you can get.’

Apart from it’s beautiful beaches and interesting oceanside restaurants, downtown Santa Barbara has great Spanish Colonial Revival architecture for those interested in the history of the region. The perfect base for your luxurious family vacation on the American Riviera is the Fess Parker Doubletree Resort – you can even bring your pets! Fess Parker was himself a Hollywood icon and spent many years in the Santa Barbara area with his family.

This dramatic, mission-style hotel set on 24 beautiful beachfront acres is the epitome of the Santa Barbara good life. The resort offers a wide variety of activities: if you’re feeling active head for the fitness center, the tennis courts or the putting green. If you’d rather relax, lounge by the pool, pamper yourself in the spa, or take a stroll along the beach with your dogs. When you’ve worked up an appetite, dine in one of the four excellent restaurants.

There are several family attractions close by – the Santa Barbara Zoo with its amazing California Condor exhibit is just a mile from the hotel. The harbor is also close by where you can take a cruise in the Channel, which is home to over 30 different species of whales, dolphins, and seals and sea lions that visit throughout the year. In winter the California Gray whale herd passes through the Channel on their annual migration.

Santa Barbara is indeed an America Riviera. It’s that special kind of place that appears to have everything – great location, great climate, and something for everyone. It’s no wonder that the rich and famous have been vacationing here for centuries. Make it your winter vacation spot too.  Visit Fess Parker Doubletree Resort Santa Barbara for more information.

Tags: beaches, California, family, resorts, Santa Barbara, vacation