Santa Barbara Coffee Shops

I like Santa Barbara, and I like coffee shops.

State Street Coffee was never open for business when we happened to pass by, but the sign was sharp, the structure was unique, and their weren’t as passersby were at a minimum, so was Al’s embarrassment at my photographing buildings for no apparent reason.

HotSpots, on the other hand, (it literally was “on the other hand” as in “across the street”) was city-renowned for staying open 24 hours, its signature “Obama Blend” (yes we can drink coffee past midnight), and it’s touch screen vestibule for visitors seeking some sights to see. And, in a touch I had never seen before, HotSpots featured several pay-for-internet-access computer stations. Understandably, this all-night access point–which, by the way, was less than a block from the sand–had quite an extensive internet squatting policy.

I spotted three other distinguished coffeehouses on State Street (two Starbucks, a Coffee Bean, and a local shop with an upstairs loft, but I was too lazy to go back for my camera, and too embarrassed (or at least too afraid of embarrassing Allison) to be snapping pictures of a Starbucks sign in the middle of a bunch of people. 

I love lofts in a coffee shop. Reminds me of Top Pot Donuts from Seattle.

Top Pot: Lots of books and two stories! : )

Santa Barbara Coffee Shops

I like Santa Barbara, and I like coffee shops.

State Street Coffee was never open for business when we happened to pass by, but the sign was sharp, the structure was unique, and their weren’t as passersby were at a minimum, so was Al’s embarrassment at my photographing buildings for no apparent reason.

HotSpots, on the other hand, (it literally was “on the other hand” as in “across the street”) was city-renowned for staying open 24 hours, its signature “Obama Blend” (yes we can drink coffee past midnight), and it’s touch screen vestibule for visitors seeking some sights to see. And, in a touch I had never seen before, HotSpots featured several pay-for-internet-access computer stations. Understandably, this all-night access point–which, by the way, was less than a block from the sand–had quite an extensive internet squatting policy.

I spotted three other distinguished coffeehouses on State Street (two Starbucks, a Coffee Bean, and a local shop with an upstairs loft, but I was too lazy to go back for my camera, and too embarrassed (or at least too afraid of embarrassing Allison) to be snapping pictures of a Starbucks sign in the middle of a bunch of people. 

I love lofts in a coffee shop. Reminds me of Top Pot Donuts from Seattle.

Top Pot: Lots of books and two stories! : )

Seattle Anniversary (8/9/08)

I recently had the privilege of celebrating a fifth anniversary of marriage with my wife in Seattle, where I guess they were experiencing something close to record heat. I did not see a cloud for the three days we were there, and I did not need a sweatshirt once.

A few highlights:

• Staying near the heart of downtown in the historic, refurbished, and recently reopenend Arctic Club Hotel. Apparently it was a men’s club in the early 1900’s. When telling my grandmother about it, my wife bubbled excitedly, “Yeah, it used to be a gentlemen’s club!” I clarified that it used to be more of an upscale club for guys. I guess it would have been more interesting if it really was formerly a strip club, but alas, it was just a really cool four star hotel with a lot of personality and bright blue doors.

• Riding the bus for the first time.

• Pike’s Market–A tattooed, cut-off wearing, brightly colored mohawk sporting vendor called me out right away. I told him thanks for my change, to which he replied, “Thank you–Californian.” Then he threw up some horns before telling me to “rock on.” Kind of funny, considering he was the epitome of what you’d see waiting in line for a punk rock show outside a West Hollywood venue on the Sunset Strip. I will admit, I was wearing the quintessential Southern California printed t-shirt, jeans, flip-flops, and large black sunglasses.

• The walrus sculptures embedded in the structure of the hotel.

• Dining at this shady (literally) basement Italian place that had only one other customer besides me and my wife. She tried to back out at the last minute–it sort of reminded us of mob headquarters–but I’m glad we stuck it out.

• Sculpture park.

• Top Pot Doughnuts–fantastic coffee shop with live hot doughnuts (instead of stale overpriced pastries).

• The public library was amazing. Check out the reading room. And, you could take coffee inside! They even sold it on the third floor.

• I enjoy coffee, so all the little coffee shops and bakeries dotting downtown were a major hit.

• I loved walking out of the front door of our hotel, watching all this life take place right before my eyes, and enjoying the satisfaction that, for the time being, I shared none of the stresses associated with their busy lives.

• The only other large downtown city I have clear recollection of experiencing is Los Angeles, and while there were similarities, Seattle, overall, seemed quite a bit cleaner and safer. It just seemed an overall pedestrian friendly city.