Bear Santa
Sideways Movie Put Spotlight on Santa Barbara Wineries
When the hit movie Sideways came out, people all over the country were introduced to the idea that California wine-making doesn’t begin and end in the Napa Valley. There are, in fact, several wine regions throughout the state including the Santa Ynez Valley where Sideways was filmed.
Dubbed Santa Barbara Wine Country by local tourism promoters, this is an idyllic and pastoral region of small towns, ranches and, of course, a few dozen wineries that are scattered over an incredibly picturesque countryside. The movie Sideways, which follows a couple of middle-aged men as they discover the charms of this region and the truths of their existence, won great accolades as a comedy/drama but, interestingly, it also turned out to be an effective travelogue.
That’s not been lost on the Santa Barbara Conference and Visitors Bureau, which rushed to print with a detailed color brochure offering visitors a map of filming locations for the movie – a handy guide for the movie-goers smitten with the ambience so skillfully revealed in the movie’s cinematography. From all reports, plenty of people have, in fact, targeted the region for vacations or weekends and it’s still a common site to see visitors pulling out their big, green over-sized Sideways brochures to check their bearings while searching for yet another location used in the filming of the movie.
There has even been a bit of overkill, according to some local residents. A few disgruntled locals complained that the traffic brought to town by the movie was a double-edged sword – good for business, bad for the area’s roads. Not only were roads getting clogged during the height of the movie’s popularity but some say they were getting clogged with people a wee bit tipsy from all that wine-tasting. The TV show Inside Edition was recently in the area checking out all the fuss.
Much ado about nothing is the response of most locals, who have been pleased to see the area get national publicity and finally find its rightful place on the tourism map. During our March visit it sure didn’t seem overly crowded but, then again, we were there midweek and one should expect weekends will be entirely different.
We joined the other tourists in following our Sideways brochure to locations in Los Olivos, Santa Ynez, Buellton and the “authentic Danish village” of Solvang, all featured prominently in the film. There was the Days Inn Buellton where Miles and Jack stayed and the parking lot where Stephanie beats on three-timing Jack. Or how about A.J. Spurs, the western-themed restaurant where Jack meets his one-night stand, Cami. Had to see the Sanford Winery, where Miles teaches Jack the basics of wine tasting and, of course, Fess Parker Winery where the server refuses to serve Miles a full glass of wine so he guzzles the spit bucket instead.
Altogether there are 19 Sideways locations detailed on the map, all quite recognizable from the film. Some locations even have the unmistakable Sideways logo posted on their signs lest anyone not realize that their particular business or location will now live in movie infamy.
Show biz also figured into one of the two places we stayed while in the Santa Barbara Wine Country. Middle-age folks won’t have any trouble recalling the name Fess Parker, who cornered the market back in the 50’s and 60’s for coonskin-capped, buckskin-wearing movie mountain men. If you’re a certain age, you remember Parker as Daniel Boone. If you’re older than you want most people to know, you remember him as Davy Crockett, a premiere figure in the stable of Disney TV characters back in the days of the Wonderful World of Disney.
Unknown to most visitors, you can visit with this one-time TV icon on most Thursday nights at Fess Parker’s Wine Country Inn in Los Olivos. The inn’s guests are encouraged to join Parker for a handshake, a glass of wine and even some musical entertainment. These word-of-mouth gatherings make it hard sometimes to find a vacancy at the inn on Thursday night.
Our room at the inn was everything you might imagine for a historical country inn located in a quiet small town surrounded by gorgeous scenery. The inn has been refurbished and updated to the point that guests get the best of both worlds – old-world charm with new-world convenience. Our spacious room was furnished with exquisite antiques, living palms and floral arrangements. The high ceilings featured white-washed beams while the windows were shuttered. Classic paintings were on the walls and floral bed coverings matched table and chair covers. Our fireplace was outlined by hand-painted tiles.
Downstairs, the Wine Cask restaurant is a small, intimate room, serving cuisine that is well-known for being some of the best and most innovative in the Santa Barbara area.
Several small shops, galleries and restaurants are located in the small downtown area of Los Olivos, including the Judith Hale Gallery which occupies two buildings just a block down from the inn and offers an amazing collection of paintings, illustrations, sculpture and jewelry. Across the street is the Los Olivos Café and Wine Merchant, the place where the two couples in Sideways enjoy dinner and several bottles of wine.
We spent a little more time than usual visiting Santa Barbara Wine Country and we wanted to experience one other lodging we had heard about – the Santa Ynez Inn. Located in Santa Ynez, this is an unusual Victorian bed-and-breakfast because it is not a historic building at all – the inn was built from scratch just four years ago. That offers the advantage of everything being new – floors, carpeting, plumbing – which will appeal to travelers less interested in the historic aspect of their accommodations.
The Santa Ynez Inn is certainly among the most luxurious inns we’ve enjoyed. Entering the lobby, one notices the carved wood stairway regally reminiscent of the grand staircase in the movie Titanic. The hallways are decorated with portraits of former presidents. In our second-floor over-sized room we found a sanctuary filled with antique-inspired furniture and such luxurious accents as crystal chandeliers and crystal-based lamps. The floral curtains parted to reveal a view of the countryside and small balcony with table and chairs. Another sitting area, made of travertine, was adjacent to the fireplace and both travertine and marble were used extensively in the larger-than-usual bathroom area. A jetted tub and separate shower area were just as you would find in the most expensive hotels.
The luxury inns we chose were the perfect complement to days spent in this magnificent countryside driving from winery to winery, from each Sideways location to the next. But then again, if you want the true Sideways experience, you can always opt for the motel used in the movie. Just don’t follow the script too closely.
AT A GLANCE
WHERE: Santa Barbara Wine Country is about 30 miles northwest of Santa Barbara on Highway 154 (San Marcos Pass).
WHAT: Santa Barbara Wine Country includes several small towns and a scenic countryside that is home to dozens of wineries and vineyards.
WHEN: Any time of year.
WHY: Santa Barbara Wine Country has become famous because of the movie Sideways. The area represents a charming and rural landscape that is easily accessible from the larger city of Santa Barbara – a tourist mecca in its own right.
HOW: For more information on Santa Barbara Wine Country, phone the Santa Barbara Conference and Visitors Bureau at 805-966-9222 or visit www.santabarbaraca.com. For more information on Fess Parker’s Wine Country Inn and Spa Vigne, call 805-688-7788 or visit www.fessparker.com. For more information on Santa Ynez Inn, phone 800-643-4774 or visit www.santaynezinn.com.
About the Author
Cary Ordway is a syndicated travel writer and president of Getaway Media Corp, publisher of websites that focus on Washington travel, Oregon travel, California travel, Idaho travel, Montana travel and British Columbia travel.
Santa Bear Cartoon Part 1
|
|
Spode Christmas Tree Santa and Bear Oblong Bowl $8.00 Santa & Bear Card Tray – Festive Multi Color With Central Christmas Tree And Toys – Holly Sprigs – Off White Background – Wide Green Trim – Made In China… |
|
|
CK Products Bear with Santa Hat Chocolate Mold $2.00 CK Products chocolate molds are first quality, plastic molds. They are durable and reusable. not machine washable. Our chocolate molds are suitable for chocolate, soap making, butter molding, ice-cubes, plaster and concrete crafting. These molds are FDA approved… |
|
|
Willie Black Bear Slurping up the Honey (Yum) Glossy Cookie Jar with Lid, 10 $24.75 Bear cookie jar with a shiny gloss finish for your loving kitchen at home or lodge/camp. Can also be used as a trinket treasure box jar. 10.5″ x 7.5″… |
|
|
The Wiggles – Live Hot Potatoes $13.80 Featuring ALL your favorite songs LIVE! -Hot Potato – The Monkey Dance – Fruit Salad – Where’s Jeff? – Rock-A-Bye Your Bear – Can You (Point Your Fingers And Do The Twist?) – Toot Toot, Chugga Chugga, Big Red Car – Hoop Dee Doo – Lights, Camera, Action, Wiggles! – Play Your Guitar with Murray – Captain Feathersword Fell Asleep On His Pirate Ship (Quack Quack) – D.O.R.O.T.H.Y. (My Favorite Dinosaur… |
|
|
The Polar Express $4.98 No Description AvailableNo Track Information AvailableMedia Type: CDArtist: POLAR EXPRESSTitle: SOUNDTRACKStreet Release Date: 11/02/2004… |
|
|
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer $0.01 19 tracks from 1969 television special…. |
|
|
Barney’s Campfire Sing-Along [VHS] $12.99 Barney’s Campfire Sing-Along [VHS] [VHS Tape] (1992) Bob West (IV); Patty Wirtz… |
|
|
Santa & The Three Bears [VHS] $4.95 … |
|
|
Santabear’s High Flying Adventure [VHS] $9.98 In good condition… |
|
|
RoomMates RMK1182SCS Winter Holiday Peel & Stick Wall Decals $12.73 Find all your favorite posters and art prints at Barewalls.com, the Web’s leading art retailer. In business since 1997, Barewalls offers unmatched selection, service and prices. Browse our huge selection of wall art, including fine art, popular posters, vintage posters and decor prints. Have your print custom framed at our professional framing facilities and shipped ready to hang. What do custo… |
|
|
DAYTON HUDSON MARSHALL FIELDS BULLY SANTA BEAR 1989 STUFFED PLUSH ANIMAL TOY $9.99 |
|
|
12″ Raikes Bears-Green Santa’s Elf-Good Co-Applause-MWT $36.99 |
|
|
1990 DAYTON HUDSON Miss SANTABEAR SANTA BEAR with Kitten Pandora w Tags Free S/H $19.97 |
|
|
★ BAD TASTE BEARS SANTA’S LITTLE SWEATERS CHRISTMAS $69.04 |
|
|
★ BAD TASTE BEARS ROBIN SANTA BANK ROBBER *RARE* $44.38 |
|
|
Cherished Teddies Santa Series 2004 Nate LE NIB $52.95 |
|
|
*MWT* Boyd’s Bear Santa 6″ $5.99 |
|
|
Santa Bear 1994 Clown Dayton’s 10th year of bears has origonal $35.00 tag & bag $10.00 |
|
|
Dollhouse Miniature Handmade Santa Bear Set of 4 $31.99 |
|
|
Boyds JIM SHORE Treasure Boxes SANTA HAT & XMAS TREE $30.00 |
|
|
Boyds Bears Style #371003 “Santa Claws & Nibbles” A Purrfect Holiday Figure $10.00 |
|
|
Boyds Bears Style #370200 Santa “In the Nick of Time” Carvers Choice Ornament $10.00 |
|
|
GUND LITTLEST BEARS SANTA BEAR & ELF 1994 IN BOX $11.99 |
|
|
Dollhouse Miniature Christmas Santa Clause Bear $3.50 |
|
|
Build-A-Bear Plush Bear in Santa Suit, Hat & Pants $12.99 |
|
|
Russ Berrie & Co. Sammy Santa Bear Christmas plush 10″ with tag $4.95 |
|
|
Boyds Plush Bear w/Santa Cap “Lil’ Hope” – NEW $9.99 |
|
|
Boyds Plush Bear w/Santa Cap “Lil’ Magic” – NEW $9.99 |
|
|
Santa Quick As A Flash Boyds Collection-NIB-UPC 765867372041 $3.99 |
|
|
Santa In The Nick Of Time Boyds Collection- Original Box UPC 765867372003 $3.99 |
|
|
Build A Bear Clothing~Filled With Love~3 Piece Red & White Santa Outfit~EUC~B7 $9.00 |
|
|
STEIFF ALPACA “SANTA IN THE BOX” $175.50 |
|
|
BOYDS TREASURE BOX, NICKIE PLUMP’N WADDLE…WISH, SANTA $10.39 |
|
|
Creamy White Christmas Teddy Bear Wears Santa Cap Red Velour Bow Sits 8″ Tall $34.99 |
|
|
Mary Meyer Teddy Bear Santa Clause Holiday Stuffed Plush Lincoln Bear 2002 Tag $19.99 |
|
|
Build-A-Bear Workshop SANTA OUTFIT Red Coat Pants BABW Christmas Clothes $7.50 |
|
|
SANTA SACK W/ 4 FELT TOYS – THE NORTH POLE COLLECTION $17.50 |
|
|
STEIFF TEDDY BEAR SANTA CLAUS $225.00 |
|
|
Christmas Soft Cuddly Plush First Impressions 15″ Santa Claus NWT Free Shipping $14.99 |
|
|
MERRY CHRISTMAS SANTA BEAR Hooked Wool Rug $39.99 |
Tags: bear, bear santa barbara, blog, build a bear santa monica, christmas, maps, minus the bear santa monica, santa, south park bear santa, turquoise bear santa fe
This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010 at 9:15 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.