Showing posts with label santa barbara. Show all posts
Showing posts with label santa barbara. Show all posts

Dec 23, 2011

Spanish Fantasies and Zorro

Four Seasons Biltmore Santa Barbara
I've been reading a lot of books by the great  Isabel Allende lately and finished Zorro a few weeks ago. The story takes readers from Southern California (Zorro's birthplace) to Barcelona, in a swashbuckling adventure that reveals the history and backstory behind the legendary masked man. As a daughter of Southern California, I am charmed by the Spanish history that reigns in the region, the characters of legendary novels, and by the architecture left behind. So imagine my delight when I pulled up to The Four Seasons Biltmore in Santa Barbara. This hacienda style oasis on the Pacific Ocean, backed by the Santa Ynez Mountains, is a fantasy come to life. The red barrel roof tiles popped against the white stucco walls and the bright blue December sky, and it wouldn't be California without a palm tree or two. I couldn't help but wonder if it's here where Zorro comes to take off his mask, set down his sword, take a break from carving his trademark "Z" and sip champagne. Once inside, I felt like a character in a Spanish romance.  "Welcome, Senorita," I swear I heard whispered when I opened the door.