Hidden Picture-Perfect Escapes Santa Barbara: Ojai, Channel Islands, and the Santa Ynez Valley

This book zeroes in on charming getaway spots along California's Central Coast. By dedicating an entire book to these friendly little destinations, the guide is able to offer a variety of features and a depth of coverage unmatched by more general guides. It includes stylish photos that capture the allure of the locales. Entertaining sidebars on the destination's history, people, geography, nature, art, and culture liven the content as do special "Street Strolls" that describe locally popular areas for walking, shopping, and dining. The author recommends dozens of romantic inns, including a 1906 California Craftsman house decorated with period furniture and an 1871 two-story clapboard Victorian with sweeping verandas. The guide leads readers on a step-by-step walk through Santa Barbara's famed "Red Tile Tour," complete with historical background and accompanying photos. "Picture-Perfect" lists tell of the area's top wineries as well as the most romantic spots to drink a glass of wine while watching the sunset into the Pacific.