Refugio State Park, Santa Barbara, CA
We began our anniversary trip with three days at Refugio State Park just above Santa Barbara. The campsites were back from the beach with day use only next to the beach. They had basketball courts and kids play equipment with lots of beach action. Most of the campsite had some shade and views of the ocean.
 Inlet at the beach at Refugio State Park |  Eucalyptus bark |
Carpinteria State Park, Santa Barbara, CA
For our next three nights we camped at Carpinteria State Park Beach. If you were able to book a space in the front you had a great ocean spot right on the beach, however, most spaces were back a row or two from the ocean and it was very much like being in a parking lot.
 These people were directly on the beach. |  Another choice spot here! |
 There was lots of beach action and people played vollyeball until it was dark. |  And here we were a row back and on pavement. These parks sadly do not measure up to the beauty of the state parks in Florida, but they are much closer and not so hot! |
LOTUSLAND, Santa Barbara, CA
In 1941 Madame Ganna Walska, a well known opera singer, bought what is today Lotusland and during the following 43 years she transformed it into the varied garden that it is today. It is full of exotic plants with sharp contrasts between lush serene settings to dry desert region planted with bold combinations of plants. There is a series of paths that take you through a labyrinth of landscapes. Madame Walska was married 6 times and did very well financially so we was able to do as she wished with the land.
Today Lotusland is a nonprofit educational institution and open to the public. It is open for tour only and costs $35 per person for a two hour tour. Since I broke my foot recently I was unsure of keeping up with a group so they gave us a private tour guide!
Today Lotusland is a nonprofit educational institution and open to the public. It is open for tour only and costs $35 per person for a two hour tour. Since I broke my foot recently I was unsure of keeping up with a group so they gave us a private tour guide!
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  |  Lotus  Even topiary! |
 Japanese garden area |  |
 Rare barrel cactus  Interesting insides of cactus |  This cactus droops!  Great pattern! |
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 Eureka oranges on the overhead vines  |   |
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Gaviota State Park, Santa Barbara, CA
 |  There are interesting holes in the cliff. You can see the scale of the rock by the figures on the beach.  |
 We waited a bit to get a shot of the train over the Roadtrek in our campsite. |  |
When I was dressing Paco snuck under the covers of the bed and had his head on my pillow! Usually he sleeps beside me, but the pillow is our of bounds! He does NOT look guilty.
Heading home along Highway 101 - The Golden State
   I love California! |   |
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