Taking my kids on a 10 year old trip has become a thing. A getaway where they get spoiled and get all the attention. Last march, my oldest daughter Blake, my mom and I went to Santa Barbara and it was so great that Kylie decided she wanted to take her vacation there too!
It also makes the decision much easier when your beloved crazy uncle Cal and sweet aunt Tiffany live there! Kylie had been counting down the months, weeks, days and then hours. We got the crap news that our flight was cancelled so we had to wait one more day to go. I’m sure that was torture for her!
Instead of the usual direct flight, we had to stop in Phoenix and I felt like we should have been in Taiwan for what seemed like such a long day of air porting.
Naturally, when I arrived, my traveling body was stiff as can be and a blood clot was not on the agenda.
This pullover was great for traveling!
The Harbor View Inn was the perfect hotel for us! Kylie and I had a suite with a living room and it was in the cutest area of Santa Barbara.
Right across the street was a great little restaurant called Goat Tree, we loved the brunch!
Avocado toast, blue corn pancakes, chicken and waffles and quiche were excellent!
After our first of many over eating experiences, we headed to the Santa Barbara Zoo. It is a small zoo, but really great! The weather was beautiful, but it hadn’t been for a week or so before we got there. Lots of the animals were taking siestas and one gorilla in particular was sprawled out hands behind his head and legs flopped out. Live it up!
I spy a playful elephant, stinky flamingos, buns of steel and two mighty fine primate impressions.
Kylie may look exactly like Zach and have most of Zach’s personality traits, but when it comes to shopping, she is all me! One of her main requests was a shopping spree, your wish is granted!
Paseo Nuevo is an outdoor mall and is was easy to drop some serious money there. We got Kylie some shoes and clothes at Nordstrom and I picked up some new sunnies.
We had pretty good luck at Nordstrom. Kylie’s favorite shirt was this one and she loved these shorts! She is really at an age, and has been for the last few years, where picking out her own clothes is important to her and her fashion opinions are STRONG! I dig it!
Another thing Kylie and I have in common, we are in love with the beach. She couldn’t get enough! We went to Hendry’s beach and ran around and got chased by waves before dinner at one of my favorite Santa Barbara spots, Boathouse.
Kylie’s shirt | cardigan | jeans
Boathouse is always a good choice! You know what I must also think is always a good choice? Drinks with jalapeños floating. I seem to pick those every time, I know this because those near and dear to me have taken note and commented. ha!
We ended the day in our cozy matching flamingo PJs, talked for a little while and snoozed with no alarm set and no one to wake us up.
The next morning, we tried a different breakfast spot, Due Lune. It was just a short walk from our hotel.
Let’s just title the Due Lune series of photos, “Pancake Binge.” Moving on.
Kylie could not wait to get back to the beach! This time we went to Butterly Beach which is right in front of the Four Seasons Biltmore. What a stunning property!! As much as I can be a snob, I also dislike spending so much money on a hotel when I’m barely in the room. I like to go and do and explore on vacations and then just crash and get ready in the room. My parents have stayed there before and loved it, but we opted for the more moderately priced option.
A teenage girl went running to my mom with her arms flapping to get her attention. My mom was all, “yes?” The girl said, “Camilla Cabello is on the beach, do you know who that is?” My mom is hip and happenin’ so yes, she knew who that was but we also had no idea what she looked like. I googled real quick in case I did spot her. We didn’t. No celeb selfies were taken. No cool story ending here. Not sure why I even typed it now. womp.
After another huge meal at Eureka Burger, we decided to go take a very easy hike at Ellwood. It was stunningly beautiful and it made me wish I had places like that to photograph my clients here in Tejas.
Paige’s Tank | Leggings | Shoes I love these and have gold, all white and black. Order 1 size down.
We visited the Sea Center and walked around Stearns Wharf. The Sea Center is an interactive marine education museum that both Blake and Kylie really loved.
Stearns Wharf is a must do touristy activity. Walking down the pier, getting ice cream, seeing the sights and the first rate musical acts. You just need to do it. I present to you, Bruno Dynamite.
Kylie woke up feeling bad the next morning. She said her ear hurt and I could tell she wasn’t her normal self. After we had yet another pancake binge, she felt good enough to go to the Botanic Gardens.
Until she didn’t.
A couple of vomit bags later, some nausea meds, Motrin and an antibiotic and Kylie was as good as new! She was even able to go out to dinner that night at Bluewater Grill. We sat under this swirly staircase and it took all of my willpower to not hop the little chain and go up to the tippy top.
One last high caloric intake and the 10 year old trip was over. Aven has asked for her trip to be to Paris. We will have to see about that. AKA no.
It’s always hard to leave after such a great vacation, but this time it was a little easier knowing we would be picking up this little pooch the next day!
Also a big thanks to my mom for coordinating much of the trip, my husband, mother-in-law and babysitter Meredith for holding it down and letting me take my almost 10 year old Kylie Koo on an adventure I hope she never forgets.
