By Chrissy Gray, Event Planner
I love camping – late nights around the bonfire roasting smores, hiking through the wilderness, days without a real shower – but when my friends suggested going glamping for the weekend in Santa Barbara, I was totally game. I’d heard the term “glamping” thrown around before but I had yet to experience it for myself. I have to say, glamorous camping is pretty awesome!
Just past Santa Barbara on Highway 1 is El Capitan Canyon, a picturesque collection of log cabins and tents nestled in a valley across from the Pacific Ocean. During our weekend trip, we stayed in a secluded tent next to a small creek that ran through the resort. Inside the tent we had a bed, two chairs, a nightstand, and even electricity. So yes, we weren’t exactly roughing it, but with the beautiful scenery and private fire pits for your favorite camping activities, it definitely didn’t feel like the Four Seasons.
El Capitan Canyon has dozens of tents and cabins to choose from , so whether you’re a couple looking for a romantic weekend of seclusion, or you’re traveling with a large group, there’s a perfect spot for you. Around the area enjoy beautiful hiking trails, horseback riding, and the beach literally across the street. We chose to spend our Saturday at Refugio State Beach where I finally learned how to surf! The small waves that day made it perfect for the beginner, but advanced surfers looked like they were having a great time too. That evening we decided to take a drive into wine country for dinner at the Ballard Inn, a world renowned restaurant with dishes made with some of the freshest, local and organic ingredients I’ve ever had. (FYI: The Watercress Soup is to die for!) With a bottle of Pinot Noir bottled just around the corner from the Inn, our glamping adventure was definitely complete.
Posted in Nature, Travel
Summer is just about here, and if your schedule is anything like mine, it’s time for a vacation! While searching the web for eco getaways not too far from home, I came across Las Ventanas resort in Los Cabos, Baja Mexico. With just the right blend of luxury and sustainability, including a world-class eco spa and inspired, organic cuisine, the hotel is definitely a little piece of paradise.
Some of the most impressive features of Las Ventanas include:
- The resort staff works exclusively with local growers to ensure that Las Ventanas has a dependable supply of the freshest organic produce. Seafood is purchased from fishermen who catch it daily from the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean. Mexican cheeses, olive oils, and other products come from the best regional producers, furthering the resort’s commitment to locally sourced ingredients.
- The outdoor herb garden is 100 percent organic, and includes a cooking center where classes are held. Indigenous, year-round herb plantings include rosemary, mugwort, and Mexican basil.
- The resort also implements xeriscaping – landscaping that uses indigenous plants with hydration requirements appropriate to the natural climate. The low water-usage vegetation also taps an irrigation system that prevents runoff.
- The spa offers holistic treatments derived from the natural environment of the Baja Peninsula. The Nopal Detox Wrap, for example, uses paddles from native Nopal cacti. The spa also features local sage, cinnamon, and cedar wood, and organic coconut oil is the only oil utilized for massage.
- At the Sea Grill, the menu is cooked in a brick-and-clay oven and on special grills using different local woods. Based on the flavors imbued by the earthy timber and fresh-picked garden herbs, the food is simple, gorgeous, and delicious…much like the resort itself.
Sign me up!
Posted in Travel
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