Escaping The LA Summer Heat In Santa Barbara

Greetings from Santa Barbara, California, where I am enjoying some family time this weekend and escaping the harsh summer heat of Los Angeles.

Change Of Venue, Change of Climate – Escaping The Los Angeles Summer Heat In Santa Barbara

When we left our house yesterday, it was 98ºF. By the time we reached Santa Barbara, it was 66ºF. Los Angeles has beautiful weather much of the year, but the months of August and September are generally quite harsh. I’m so thankful that we can escape the heat with just as short drive north (or south).

The Highlands Inn in Carmel may still be our family favorite, but Santa Barbara is quickly becoming our go-to option when we need a quick break from LA. I must say that I appreciate the Mar Monte Hotel, part of the Hyatt Unbound Collection, more every visit.

No upgrade at all this weekend – just a small room facing the street:

But still comfortable and a lovely chance to go swimming, walk along the beach in the fog of the morning, and enjoy a wonderful breakfast.

The time together is precious…my kids, as you can see in the pictures, are growing up so quickly and I will exercise every moment I have to spend with them and Heidi. Soon, they’ll be grown and out of the house. I’ll blink and they will be adults and I will be an old man (and I know just about any parent will concur…).

But there’s a hitch. Little Claire Marie is big enough now to climb out of her crib (at hotels…at home she has a tall one) but too young to sleep in a “big” bed unless Heidi or I are next other. So guess who slept between us last night while Augustine got a whole bed to himself?

I’m going to get back to my family, but the cooler weather invigorates me and I am deeply thankful for the chance to escape the summer heat.