Santa Barbara Beach House Vacation Rental Tips – Making the Most of Great Outdoor Living

California is famous for its beaches and legendary beach lifestyle. As a Santa Barbara vacationer you have an advantage over the native Californian. While only a tiny fraction of the almost 40 million Californians live within shouting distance of the coast, you get your pick of Santa Barbara beach house rentals to watch the waves lap the sand 24/7.

Great Outdoor Living Tip #1: Enjoy the Great Outdoors.

A Santa Barbara beach house rental means different things to different people. Some guests are happy to scrunch sand between their toes while they watch and listen to the mesmerizing surf. Others will use their rental’s sound system to crank up their Best of the Beach Boys CD while enjoying mai tais on the back deck.

Regardless of what kind of vacation you’re planning, a beach house rental can help you enjoy the great outdoors. Additionally, while some are just a few steps from the beach, other rentals also provide proximity to shopping and great restaurants.

Great Outdoor Living Tip #2: “Livin’ La Vida Loca.”

Some Santa Barbara beach house rental guests come to town eager to play, play, play! Fortunately, there is plenty to do in the Santa Barbara area for even the most ADD among us. Staying at a beach house is perfect for anyone looking to enjoy the ocean by day and the local attractions by night. Santa Barbara is home to many great lounges and nightclubs that offer dinner, dancing, drinks and theme parties including Eos, the Wildcat Lounge and even a few pubs like the James Joyce.

If you wake up with a hangover, visit Cold Spring Tavern, a former 19th-century stagecoach rest stop to nurse yourself back to health. A little off the beaten path, it is now a laid-back rustic restaurant that features four fireplaces, indoor/outdoor dining, live music during summer afternoons and delicious American-style food (their breakfasts are especially renowned) just like mom used to make.

Great Outdoor Living Tip #3: It’s a Dog’s Life.

If Fido is due for a vacation too, there are lots of places for you to play together. A Santa Barbara beach house rental gives you and your four-legged best friend a vacation to remember.

There are some great spots that dogs can visit. Many parks and hiking trails welcome dogs on leashes, but if you want your furry friend to run free off-leash and feel the wind in his fur there are a few options. Douglas Family Park, at the end of Medcliff Road & Selrose Lane, is a 70-acre facility that features both a beach and stunning hiking trails. Hale Park, at Camino Viejo and Eucalyptus Hill Road, has lots of tree-lined walking trails. Orcutt Park, at Alameda Padre Serra and Moreno, is a long narrow exercise park that the locals favor.

If you’re planning on renting in mid-July, get your dog spruced and pruned for the annual Poodle Parade at the Santa Barbara French Festival (all breeds are welcome).

As with any doggy outing, bring a leash, your own poop-pick-up bags and water. Santa Barbara authorities are particularly keen that dogs visiting public places use their best guest manners.

Great Outdoor Living Tip #4: Life’s a Beach.

Some people come to Santa Barbara for the mountains or the valleys, but let’s face it, most visitors are here for the ocean. There’s something cathartic about listening to the pounding surf while you watch a seagull weightlessly ride a coastal air current. When you’re choosing a beach house rental, consider whether it has all the amenities you’ll want. A house that already has the toys you’ll need can save time, stress and money. Here’s a partial list of things to ask about when booking for a beach vacation:

Beach bicycles

Beach chairs

Beach games like volleyball and Frisbee

Beach mats

Beach towels

Boogie Boards

Kayaks

Roll-away ice cooler

Sun umbrella

Great Outdoor Living Tip #5: Eat, Drink and Be Merry.

One of the best parts of staying in a Santa Barbara beach house rental is being able to cook and eat outside in the temperate California coastal climate. Whether your preferences run to creating your own molto bene meals or dialing 1-800-BRING-DINNER, make sure your rental has all of the al fresco amenities that you want, including:

Gas BBQ grill and accessories

Local menus and dining guides

Mountain or ocean views

Outdoor dining area

Private deck with table, chairs

Seating area

Great Outdoor Living Tip #6: Embrace The Good Life.

Once you settle into your Santa Barbara beach house rental, you’re not going to want to leave. And why should you? It’s got every outdoor amenity a body could possibly want in a little slice of heaven, including:

Courtyard

Doggy door

Games: basketball hoop, croquet set, pool table

Fire pit

Fireplace

Fountains/water features

Heat lamp

Local entertainment guides

Lounge chairs

Observation deck

Outdoor shower

Outdoor speakers

Outdoor TV

Pool

Private balconies

Redwood sauna

Rooftop terrace

Spa

Steam shower

Umbrellas

Wireless internet (WiFi)

Wraparound covered porch

Yard with fruit trees, lawn and flowers and/or herb garden

Jacuzzi

The only question is, which Santa Barbara beach house rental will you choose? With so many possible amenities we recommend the sensible approach. Try them all until you find your favorite.

Graham Farrar is a Santa Barbara local with specialized knowledge in the popular destination’s attractions and activities. He is a Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals expert and offers tips and advice for traveling to Santa Barbara on the http://www.sbluxuryrentals.com blog.

Author: Graham Farrar
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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