Taste of Santa Barbara California Avocado Festival, Solvang, Julia Child & much more! 3 Days of Fun

Day 1 – Santa Barbara Tour, Julia Childs Welcome Dinner Discover the enchanting seaside Spanish paradise known as Santa Barbara through the eyes of Julia Child who retired here. Upon arrival in Santa Barbara this afternoon we will enjoy a unique fully narrated tour. Grab your camera and get ready for a picture taking experience of a lifetime! Welcome to the American Riviera! We will visit local hot spots such as posh Montecito, home to Hollywood's biggest stars including Oprah Winfrey and her $60 Million Estate, Carol Burnett, Julia Louis- Dreyfus, Michael and Kirk Douglas, Steve Martin, Rob Lowe, Cheryl Tieg's as well as famous chef Julia Child. Born in Pasadena, California, Julia Child became a beloved resident of Santa Barbara and was often spotted in local wineries, restaurants and selecting produce at the local farmers market....and we will drive by Montecito Shores to see where she lived. For those who enjoyed the movie “It's Complicated” starring Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin, you might remember that the film took place in Santa Barbara and featured a memorable scene in the “Village Bakery.” Even though that bakery doesn't really exist in Santa Barbara, we think you'll approve of the mouth-watering flaky croissants at the popular Montecito Bakery and/or Pierre LaFond's Montecito Market where we'll make a stop for goodies. Also in Montecito see the extravagant 5-Star Four Season's Biltmore Resort, Fess Parker's Doubletree Resort as well as Charlie Chaplin's famous Montecito Inn. No visit to Santa Barbara would be complete without a visit to historic Mission Santa Barbara, "Queen of the Missions" founded by Spanish Franciscan friars in 1786. The tenth of California's 21 missions, this is the only one to be continuously occupied and used since it's founding. Our tour will conclude with a spectacular view atop the enchanting Santa Barbara Courthouse's 85 foot clock tower, the jewel in Santa Barbara's architectural crown. Completed in 1929, this graceful Spanish-Moorish structure is a stunning public building.

Tonight enjoy a wonderful welcome dinner with a special one-of-a-kind Julia Child-inspired welcome dinner at the Santa Barbara City College Culinary School of which Julia Child was a big supporter. Enjoy a 4- course gourmet meal with wine featuring such dishes as her famous Beef Bourgignon among other items. Get an insider’s view of this amazing woman from wine sommelier Antonio Gardella, who has explored the world’s great wine regions including Napa, Sonoma, France, Italy, Spain, Chile, and Australia. On the board of directors of the American Institute of Wine and Food for 15 years, he started a wine tasting group that has met monthly for 20 years. Passionate and enthusiastic, he interweaves stores of wine with memories of Julia Child and the history of wine in beautiful Santa Barbara County.

Overnight in Santa Barbara for the next two evenings at the Holiday Inn Express, conveniently located in Old Town Santa Barbara just steps away from the Paseo Nuevo Shopping Mall, Stearn's Wharf and all the excitement State Street has to offer. Day 2: Olive Oil Tasting, Bridlewood Estate Winery, Solvang This morning we will travel through the gorgeous Santa Ynez Valley to Los Olivos, CA for a visit to Global Gardens for a special group Olive Oil Tasting as well as shopping for gourmet food items. Global Gardens specializes in educating customers on the many nuances of Extra Virgin Olive Oil. You will become an expert in cooking with their fruit-infused champagne vinegars, healthy finishing glazes and savory snacks, and maybe take home a new recipe or two. We will also experience the unspoiled beauty of the Santa Barbara region at Bridlewood Estate Winery for a special wine tasting and tour. This 105-acre estate is home to world-class wines, hillside vineyards, rustic Spanish- style architecture and breathtaking views of the magnificent Santa Ynez Mountains. This winery, which was once an Equestrian Race Horse Rehabilitation Center, sits adjacent to Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch and also features it's own Estate Zinfindel. We will also drive by the Quicksilver Ranch to see the Miniature Horses and Clairmont Farms to see the beautiful lavendar fields in this area before venturing on to the Danish Village of Solvang for special lunch at the Solvang Restaurant where everyone will enjoy an authentic Danish lunch complete with Danish sausage and red cabbage as well as the restaurant's famous aebleskiver (Danish pancakes) smeared with raspberry jam and a light dusting of powdered sugar. We will also visit Solvang Bakery to sample and buy some of their famous Danish baked goods such as almond custard kringle, pumpernickel breads, apple strudel, butter rings and onion cheese bread. Afterwards, plenty of time for shopping in this quaint, pedestrian- friendly village with dozens of unique shops including elegant antiques and collectibles, Danish imports as well as unique arts and crafts.

We head back to Santa Barbara later this afternoon. This evening a special (optional) tasting has been arranged for our group at the Cheese Shop in the Paseo Nuevo Shopping Center. (Wine tasting is also available for an extra charge) Afterwards, enjoy time for shopping and suggestions will be made for dinner. (on your own) Perhaps dinner at the legendary Joe's Cafe, Santa Barbara's oldest restaurant? This restaurant is famous for it's seductive speakeasy atmosphere, steak, seafood and killer cocktails and martinis! Another dinner option is the hip new Pierre LaFond's Wine Bistro. (Be sure to try their flatbread pizza) Both restaurants are just steps away from our hotel and a group reservation can be made for those who are interested. Perhaps a visit to nearby La Super Rica Taqueria on Milpas St. for a late night snack? This little eatery was a Julia Child's favorite.

Day 3: Cooking Class, Farmer's Market, Avocado Festival This morning we enjoy a special cooking class with a chef where we will learn cooking techniques and secrets as well as time for shopping at Santa Barbara's Downtown Farmers Market. Every Saturday morning the farmers in the marketplace display a colorful bounty of agricultural products grown right in the city's own backyard. Music and entertainment enliven the market while creating a upbeat atmospere. Later this morning and afternoon we visit the California Avocado Festival in nearby Carpenteria. This festival has evolved into one of the largest in California with three days of fabulous food, terrific music, and great safe family fun in late September. It is one of only a few community festivals still operated in the heart of downtown Carpenteria. As the Festival grows, so do the number of participants and festival-goers. This year over forty non-profit groups will benefit by catering to 100,000 avocado festival visitors. We will head back home to San Diego mid-afternoon.