Santa Barbara: Stunningly Romantic
Page 3 of 3

The gay nightlife scene in Santa Barbara has waxed and waned over the past 15 years, with many bars coming and going. None exists as of this writing, but there are some cool spots with at least a mixed following, such as Elsie's, a quirky little lounge with a large patio and a huge list of imported beers. The slick Wildcat Lounge has a gay night on Sundays and is quite homo-friendly anytime of the week. Also, although the rowdy, collegiate-oriented Zelo is mainstream, the management is quite gay-positive. Most nights draw a young, hip bunch - and they also serve decent American food here.

Santa Barbara has some of the fanciest resorts and inns in Southern California, but also a wide array of simpler, less pricey properties. And although there are no gay-exclusive properties, a few have a strong "family" following. Among reasonably priced options, the Marina Beach Motel, a cheerful and attractive property right in the city's lively harbor area, fits the bill and is quite gay-friendly.

One of the top guest houses along central California's coast, the White Jasmine Inn (formerly called the Glenborough Inn) has a strong following among gays and lesbians. Rooms are in three neighboring houses, two of them Craftsman bungalows dating to the early 20th century and the third one an 1885 Victorian. Architectural details abound, from beveled glass and cross-cut oak beams to antique cherrywood armoires. Popular among Gay Pride Festival attendees, the Hotel Mar Monte (formerly the Radisson Hotel Santa Barbara) has fairly typical rooms with upscale furnishings, but the public areas of this imposing 1930s Spanish Mediterranean-inspired hotel are quite lavish. And the beach is right outside the door.

The city's world-class resort is the Four Seasons Biltmore. You simply can't beat the setting, on a green slope just steps away from the beach in the tony enclave of Montecito. And then there's the city's newest lodging gem, the swank, stylish, and gay-friendly Hotel Andalucia, which is right in the heart of downtown, steps from great shopping and dining - in fact, the hotel has its own excellent eatery, 31 West, which serves such commendable contemporary bistro fare as whole-roasted chicken with truffle-infused mac-and-cheese. An unabashedly romantic study in Mediterranean style, the 97-room property is crowned by a rooftop pool and terrace with an outdoor fireplace and panoramic views of downtown, the sea, and the mountains. There's no better place to watch the sun fall over Santa Barbara, the soul of the American Riviera.

Andrew Collins is the author of Fodor's Gay Guide to the USA and as well as numerous other guidebooks