This is the beach where we like to take our morning and evening walks. The white house at the end is Keven Costner’s estate.
I’m getting into “vacation rhythm” as Vicki from Victoria Ponders said her dad called it.
The ocean is so peaceful. I like nothing better than to sit on the beach with a good book in the evenings, enjoying the dogs frolicking in and out of the water, chasing tennis balls and sticks. I’ve never seen anyone of any animal happier than dogs on the beach.
I also stopped during a morning walk to watch surf camp. This was the older group — maybe young teens. I was amazed as every one of them could catch a wave. The younger kids were sitting under pop-up tents watching and learning from the older surfers.
According to my friend who lives nearby, this home belongs to George Lucas. I read that he tore down an existing modern masterpiece to build his Cape Cod. Below was the former home by a famous architect I’ve never heard of. Oh well. It’s his property to do whatever he wants with it.
This is the beach below our VRBO. It’s a beautiful view but the beach smells oily and there’s a sheen of oil on the water. So we drive two miles to the pristine beach where the celebrities live.
This was one of the teen surfer’s I stopped to watch.
Do you enjoy the beach? Do you swim in the ocean, surf or boogey board?
Do you like the beach or mountains more?
Why does the beach smell oily? Was there an issue there in the past. But hey I would drive to see Kevin Costner’s beachhouse too. You never know. He might need a few stand-ins for his next project. Or maybe George Lucas needs some creative help on some Star Wars related project. Ha, ha.
The area is rich with petroleum and it can seep through the sand. There’s often tar on the beach and after our beach walks we have to check the bottom of our feet! There are oil rigs five miles offshore. There were old ones that were leaking but they’ve spent millions to cap the old wells. Our friends who live here said that if the oil rigs aren’t releasing the petroleum, it builds pressure and tar seeps through the sand. Some beaches are pristine and others like the one below us aren’t as clean.
Oh wow, interesting. I don’t think of Southern California and oil wells, but it makes sense.
Our first day here, we went to three stores to find Goo Gone. It gets rid of tar on our flip flops and feet! As for George Lucas, his blinds are all closed and he must not be around. I think Costner is here more often but he’s got a private location that you can’t walk by.
Oh EA, I love that I don’t have to choose between beach or mtns! A huge reason why I likely would never be happy living anywhere other than the PNW. So glad that you’re having a good time 🙂
Yes, that’s what I remember about the PNW. In Palm Springs, it was less than a 90-minute drive to the mountains or ocean, too. We were lucky to do either whenever we wanted.
It looks like a beautiful place for vacation. Thanks for sharing the pics
It is gorgeous. I especially enjoy the cool ocean breeze!
That’s really great. Enjoy yourself my friend
I am! Thanks!
You’re welcome 💞
👍🏼
I’m so glad you’re having such a nice and relaxing time away, E.A. It’s beautiful!!
As for me, I’m a mountain girl, through and through. As a child, I’d visit my grandparents at their oceanfront cottage in Oceanside, CA every summer, attend surf camp with my cousins, and watch 4th of July fireworks from the beach. But, when I was 12, I got caught in a rip tide and almost drowned. Thankfully, a Good Samaritan saved me, but it was pretty traumatizing and I don’t really like being near large bodies of water anymore.
That’s too bad you got caught in a rip tide. I used to like mountains better. That’s when I was growing up in Washington. Probably because our beaches had such cold water! My dream was to move to Hailey, ID. After I moved to So Cal and discovered warm ocean water, I like both, but beaches more.
Looks so lovely! I love visiting the beach, but prefer living in the mountains. How’s that for a compromise?
I like both, too but beaches better. Of course, it depends on which beach.
Wow – thanks for taking us along on the beach walk. Surfing is hard – amazing they are getting up! Hope your toes are feeling okay!
Thank you for coming along! I was impressed with how the entire group of surfers could catch waves. My toes are hurting, but I’m not missing beach walks! I have to wear supportive flip flops or tennis shoes.
Your photos are gorgeous and a perfect escape. And I love Kevin Costner. 🙂 George Lucas has two homes in our town also, and years ago, he walked into the frozen yogurt shop that we were in and bought a smoothie. 🙂 My daughter and son (young at the time) went up to him and told him how much we love Star Wars. He was very nice, for the record. Enjoy your time!
I love your George Lucas story. That’s awesome he’s such a nice guy. Yes, we love this town and beach. It’s such a contrast our desert.
I love the beach and it’s interesting to see the homes of the celebrities. I wonder how much land around the world is owned by celebrities and how often it just remains empty?
That’s an interesting thought. Kevin Costner is in his home a lot, I hear. There was a big battle with his ex wife to get her to leave the house. I don’t remember if that was last year, or the year before.
What a wonderful location for a vacation. I too love sitting on the beach, reading, and watching the people. Love the pics. Hugs, C
I love this little town of Summerland. It’s between Carpinteria and Montecito. We’ve spent our entire married life vacationing in this area. Plus our son went to UCSB, so more time here.