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Santa Barbara
By Samantha Brown on July 2, 2009 8:05 AM | Permalink | 18 Comments
Santa Barbara Blog I love Santa Barbara, how could you not? It's devastatingly good-looking with its mountains and oceanfront. I arrive and do what I always do at a destination: head out for a jog to get some exercise and take in my surroundings. I get back to my hotel, shower and head out to a nice-looking restaurant nearby that had a great menu and wonderful wines by the glass. When I walk up to the host she says she's sorry but the kitchen is closed. I look at my watch. It's only 9:30! She didn't seem to think that was a strange time to close everything down. Oh well, I can tell by my level of perturbness that I am cranky because I am really hungry so instead of looking for another exciting menu I decide to go right next door and have a bowl of soup and a beer.
First up, I try out being a Zookeeper for the day at the Santa Barbara Zoo. I helped feed the Gorillas by measuring out 100 grams of both sweet potato and cantaloupe for their snack. Only 200 grams? I eat more than a Gorilla!
Then we see the giraffes. The giraffe has a 15-inch tongue. After feeding the giraffe about 100 treats, it then started licking me. It's over a foot long tongue coming out like a lasso hitting my shoulders, head and chest. Tough to speak to camera when you're getting a tongue lashing!
Later, at the Plow and Angel we drink a 160-dollar margarita! I couldn't get bartender Chris to divulge the recipe which is so highly secret that he was flown to Mexico to learn how to make it and then sign a confidentiality contract.The cocktail was out of this world and the price definitely kept my usual two-drink maximum to one.
Our dinner scene for Santa Barbara is at Cold Spring tavern. At first you can't believe your eyes -- it looks like it's been around for 100s of years. Almost. It used to be where the stage coach drivers for wells fargo would rest and have a good meal. It feels like you've stumbled upon an old frontier town with log cabins and a mill.
Next door to the restaurant is a pretty wild bar, after a half a beer I end up asking a man over 30 years my senior for a dance. He knows how to two-step like nobody's business. After dinner it's dancing. We go to the Stateside Lounge for some Salsa dancing, thankfully before the official event begins there's an hour's dance lesson. After about 20 minutes I realize my new shoes are killing my feet. They are sexy strappy deals, they look great but in reality they are like tight nooses around my feet, the thin layer of leather cutting in deeper and deeper with every turn. At least I have a really good excuse for dancing badly. One margarita at the bar and I am now pain-free.
Next on the agenda: get a Polo lesson. This should be good. I am terrible on a horse, sometimes quite frightened and now I get to play a sport on top of one of them. Polo looks hard and it is hard. I have a problem letting the weight of the mallet follow thru to the strike. My main issue is that I don't won't to mistakenly whack the poor horse. I actually didn't do too badly at Polo, and I was able to forget my fear being on a horse since I was more consumed with hitting the ball.
In Santa Barbara I found my new sport! Paddleboarding. Basically you are standing on top of what looks to be a very large surfboard and you move with a Paddle. Anyone can do it after about 20 minutes of instruction. Pretty soon you are out on the bay soaking in a great view of the Ocean.
It's odd looking out and seeing other paddleboarders, it's striking in that it looks like people are walking on water.One of the challenges of my paddleboarding is that because of a scene that we have to shoot right after, I can't get my hair wet. My whole crew and I place bets on whether or not my skills are up to the task. The fellas don't think I can, but both Christina and I know that I will do anything not to have to re-style my hair.
There were a few moments where the wakes from other boats passing by almost knocked me off my board but in the end … I won.
And while shooting on the main street I ran into my old friend Jim Dubinsky whom I haven't seen in almost 10 years! We both moved to NYC at the same time and started waiting on tables at a now defunct restaurant called Perretti's. We couldn't believe we found each other again without the help of Facebook.
18 Comments
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- charles rinehart: Samantha has a great show. Not only is she very sexy and beautiful, but she has a lot of...
- rad928music: sam you got the greatest hips and legs, your sooo fine
- Charles: I believe the hotel is the Athenaeum in Mayfair
- Jason Farrar: Hi Sam i love your show i watch them every week. I always say you have the best job in the...
- dorothy: Where have you gone? You were a pioneer of the travel channel and now all I see is Andrew and...
Hi Sam!!! Love you and your show. I tell my family that your show is my "30 minute vacation" and I love spending it with you!!! I especially loved the hour long show where you took the cruise with your friends and Mom. I wish you would do more shows that include your husband, family and friends. You seem to have much more fun when surrounded by those you care about. And, we never do get to really see you with your husband and get to know him as well. He's a lucky guy to have you in his life. My hubby and I are both retired and love to travel when we can and your shows have given us such great ideas on places to go. After 42 years of marriage, we make great traveling companions!!! Hope you can say that same when you reach 42 years married!! Keep up the great job and, above all, keep that lovely smile you have. It warms even the coldest of places that you visit!!
Your show is absolutely fantastic. I was a corporate sponsor of the Polo matches in Santa Barbara (Montecito) with Lexus. I would take a different celebrity each week in a brand new LS400 and have them hang out the window or stand up through the moonroof and throw out the first ball for each Chucka (game) The funniest time was when Jonathan Winters, who lives nearby, got stuck in the moonroof and I had to speed off the grass because all the horses and players were coming towards us at full gallop. Imagine a speeding Lexus going across the playing field you were on with Jonathan Winters screaming and making jokes with his half of his body protruding out of the roof. Next time I should try that with you Samantha!!!!! Keep up the great shows, you are priceless.
Hi Sam.
We love your show! My 2 daughters and I tivo you whenever you are on and watch you almost every night. (that sounds a little creepie), but honest it is just because we are jelous of all the traveling you get to do.
My oldest daughter (age8) wants to grow up to be you!!!
Thank you for all of the quality shows you put out. Keep up the great work and remember you have some major fans in Modesto, Ca.
HI SAM,
LOVED THAT YELLOW DRESS YOU WORE IN SANTA BARBARA.WHERE CAN I GET IT?LOVE YOUR SHOW CAN YOU DO MORE IN SICLIY?
PLEASE DON'T FORGET THE YELLOW DRESS
THANK YOU
sam---love the elegant blue dress you wear while lying on a couch at the opening of the show--- please give info about it and its availability----many thanks susan
Sam, I was totally blown away when I saw you walk into the "Biker Bar" in the Santa Barbara Weekend. You must of thought I was a blithering idiot when I walked up to you at the bar. I truly did not realize you were taping your show. But I am a fan of all your shows. My friend & I talked about it the rest of the week. Thanks for all your hard work...Greg
Hi, Sam! I saw a comment above that mentions you traveling more with friends and family. Though it's fun to see you with others, I hope you always continue with your "solo" travels. I'm a solo female traveler and completely relate to your experiences - my cheerful, friendly personality prevents me from being a stranger anywhere for very long!
Hi Samantha! I watched your show passport to europe a million times! It inspired me to study abroad in Italy in a town close to Rome and travel to a 9 europeon countries in total! You are one of the reasons I fell in love with traveling I am excited to see what else you do and where else you go!
Thank God the classy Samantha Brown is back! We really didn't like the Las Vegas show, definitely not the Sam we feel we know. No need to get dirty, kids like to watch as well.
Hello Sam,
I absolutely love your show and think you very much need a side kick. I think I'm that person if/when you are thinking about making an addition to your show. I'm a seasoned traveller: I lived in Ukraine for five years and worked all around the world for 10 years. I've mostly travelled in developing countries and believe I developed a sense of humor absolutely required for traveling in far flung places. I would love to be part of your show! More about me : tall, good looking, well spoken, educated... Write me!
Will Smiley
I love your show and your personality. You are doing my dream job. I always told my husband that I want to do your job. BTW, we went to Santa Barbara last year but did not do paddleboarding. Sounds like fun. However, I love watching gorgeous guys playing volleyball on the beach.
If you need to have someone to help you - please call me or email me.
take care
Van Pham
SAM,
MY WIFE AND I LOVED YOUR SHOW FROM MEXICO CITY. WE WANT TO GO THERE BUT WE WORRY ABOUT THE VIOLENCE WE READ ABOUT. WHAT MEASURES DID YOU TAKE WHILE DOWN MEXICO WAY?
Sam, Do your producers have an addiction to equestrian and free dance lesson scenes? Enough already! Let Sam do some other activities!
Hi Sam!
I was really pleased to see your show on Santa Barbara. It is such a wonderfully diverse area. My mother was born and raised there. She now lives in Michigan with me but the show brought a little bit of home to her. Thanks for going to our favorite city in the U.S..
Samantha,
Me and my family just love your shows. Your quick wit and attention to pointing out the most minute details in your travels make you extra special. I laugh out loud at some of your comments. You truely have a dream job, and I for many think god has answered your prayers for a job in this beautiful life. Best wishes for a long career with the travel channel gig!
Hi Samantha,
I'm 17 and think you have the coolest job in the world. I love language and I love to travel. I went to a spanish language school in central Mexico and had the greatest time experiencing a new culture and interacting with the people there. Someday I hope I can have career similar to yours. Thanks for inspiring me.
My mother was born and raised there. She now lives in Michigan with me but the show brought a little bit of home to her. Thanks for going to our favorite city in the
hey Sammy i also love your show,your style, wit and those gorgeous Betty grable like legs a real feast for an old leg man I'd like to do a show out west near the sierra mountains maybe something on the train rides that travel them and the spectacular national parks too i hope to go out there some day and need some inspiration from my favorite hostess