San Ysidro Ranch, California

For years I’d been reading about the legendary San Ysidro Ranch in Santa Barbara, California in all the top travel lists. For my birthday this year, I decided to finally book the Tangerine bungalow – an ocean view, stand alone, private cottage.

The 1300sf historic and very private bungalow (there are 38) came with an adjacent parking spot and private entrance. Mine had a separate living room, a kitchenette, a private outdoor porch (where I had room service breakfast one morning that had the table set up beautifully) and a dramatic inside sunken spa with an outdoor rainfall shower and hot tub.

Set on over 550 acres, there’s a lot to do whether it’s lounging at the pool, getting a massage, play lawn games or rent a bike. They have orchards and an organic garden which feeds their restaurants and smells divine to walk through.

One of the top 10 meals I’ve ever had was at the onsite Stonehouse. The ambience, the staff and the food topped off the perfect birthday weekend.

San Ysidro Ranch began as an early 19th century working citrus ranch and over the years, it evolved into an exclusive getaway, attracting notable guests such as Winston Churchill and honeymooners, President John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy.

While everything is done to perfection here, the vibe is definitly casual and relaxed. Being here you really do feel removed from the world, although the beach is only 5 minutes away and downtown Santa Barbara only 15.