California Side Trips -Wineries of Santa Barbara County

California Side Trips -Wineries of Santa Barbara County

by Shari Hearn

If you think Napa Valley is the only wine country to see in California, think again. When it comes to spectacular wine growing regions, California's cup truly runs over.

For wine lovers living or visiting the Los Angeles, Ventura or Santa Barbara areas, a trip to the wine growing areas of Santa Barbara Country will not disappoint, where you'll find spectacular Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs, as well as some Rhone and Italian varietals which are gaining popularity. You'll also find yourself exploring the same vineyards and tasting rooms in which the characters in the movie "Sideways" found themselves.

If visiting from the Los Angeles area, it's advisable to stay the night. Your choices for lodging range from the upscale Bacara Resort and Spa in Santa Barbara, with rooms starting at $475 per night, to the affordable Best Western Big America Hotel and Suites in Santa Maria, where you can get a room beginning at just under $100. Or, if you'd like to stay in the motel where Miles and Jack from "Sideways" stayed, you might like the Days Inn Buellton-Solvang, which begins at $110 per night on the weekends and around $60 during the week. The Days-Inn Buellton-Solvang is located two miles from Solvang, which is billed as the "Danish Capital of the USA," and a half mile from the Hitching Post II restaurant, also featured in the movie "Sideways" and home to some of the best steaks you'll ever eat.

There is, of course, no way you can visit all the wineries in Santa Barbara County in one weekend, there are just way too many. You might want to choose one of the wine producing areas or appellations in Santa Barbara County and visit as many wineries as you can in those areas. These areas and appellations include Santa Maria Valley, Los Alamos Valley, Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Rita Hills. Some of the major wineries in Santa Barbara County include Andrew Murray, Byron and Fess Parker.

One thing to remember is that just because you don't recognize a label does not mean you shouldn't visit the winery. Many of the wineries in Santa Barbara County (or even Napa Valley, for that matter) don't distribute their wines to the major supermarkets or wine shops. You may only find them at the winery, a handful of wine stores or select restaurants. Of course, if you find a wine you like (and you will), many of the wineries have websites where you can order the wine to be shipped to you. A couple wineries you may not have heard about, but definitely should visit are Cottonwood Canyon and Kenneth Volk, up near Santa Maria. Both have friendly tasting rooms and outstanding Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs. Cottonwood Canyon does charge a tasting fee, while Kenneth Volk gives 5 tastes for free.

You might also wish to visit the wineries which were featured in "Sideways." These wineries include Fess Parker, Firestone, Kalyra, Foxen and Sanford.

If you find yourself with limited time, you can also visit one of the many shops in the area where you can sample wines from many different wineries from one tasting room. Often times these shops include wines from wineries without tasting rooms of their own. Grand Avenue in Los Olivos has several of these tasting rooms, so if you can't make it to the wineries themselves you'll still be able to taste the best Santa Barbara County has to offer.

Whenever taking wine tasting tours in California it's always wise to appoint a designated drive, and remember to eat and drinking plenty of water during the day.

There is More To Cheap Motels Than Just A Bed And TV

There is More To Cheap Motels Than Just A Bed And TV

by Brooke Hayles

Booking a cheap motel online has many benefits. The main benefit of booking a hotel online is the cost. It's typically cheaper to book a hotel stay online. The online reservation services typically get a discount from the hotel itself for their purchase of the unbooked rooms. The online reservation service then passes that discount on to their customer.

Another benefit of booking cheap motels online is that not only is the consumer able to compare each motel's prices but also the amenities that the motels have to offer, which the room occupants might need, such as a hair dryer, internet connection in their room and/or lobby or a continental breakfast. Many of the cheap motels offer a basic continental breakfast which typically consists of cereal, bagels etc. Lastly the consumer is able to view pictures and also the opinions of other travelers, about the motel, so that they can get an understanding of what it is that they are booking.

Sometimes it is best to sacrifice luxury for location. Many times the cheap motels are at a walking distance of major attractions such as theme parks, beaches and museums. This makes it ideal for the traveler who doesn't want to be holed up in the room all the time. The traveler gets a reasonably priced place to sleep whilst spending the day seeing the sites and taking in all the local flavors that their travel destination has to offer.

A cheap motel doesn't mean that you get the bottom of the line service! Be careful of the bedbugs' kind of hotel. Many of these motels cut out the extra frills, which is what drives up the cost to begin with. These hotels offer the basic needs for the travelers, which include comfort, effective utilities and much more. Many of these motels cater to the financially savvy business person. These consumers don't typically care about a whole lot of added frills. They basically just need a place to work and sleep.

There are other benefits such as the many packages and perks of booking a cheap motel online. Some well known branded motel chains have begun to offer bonus rewards. If a person stays at these cheap motels or with one of their partners the costumer will gain reward points that can be turned in for free night stays, free meals with participating restaurants and more. Other promotions that are available are contests with prizes such as a free gas certificate. These motels also offer deals for many random reasons so it always good to check out their promotions.

These motels can really make a trip great. Not spending as much money on the hotel allows the traveler to spend more money on other things in the destination of choice. This can make many people very happy which in turn will make the trip all the more enjoyable.

Summary:

Cheap motels can really make a trip great. Not spending as much money on the hotel allows the traveler to spend more money on other things in the destination of choice. Many of these motels cut out the extra frills, which is what drives up the cost to begin with. These hotels offer the basic needs for the travelers, which include comfort, effective utilities and much more.