{"id":118096,"date":"2016-09-28T16:26:38","date_gmt":"2016-09-28T16:26:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fourseasons.com\/magazine\/?p=118096"},"modified":"2026-04-09T01:30:34","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T05:30:34","slug":"southern-california-photography","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fourseasons.com\/magazine\/discover\/southern-california-photography\/","title":{"rendered":"A Scenic Sojourn Through Southern California"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Though Michael Murphy is a project manager by trade, the lensman\u2019s eye for photography is what earned him a winning spot in the Focus on Four Seasons Instagram contest<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The New Hampshire\u2013based talent, along with his wife Liz, recently returned from a six-day escape to the West Coast, where they soaked up the sun, sand and hospitality offered by Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara<\/a> and Beverly Wilshire, Beverly Hills, A Four Seasons Hotel<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cBoth properties were very impressive, but the professionalism of the staff was what stood out,\u201d Murphy says. \u201cOur experience started and ended with a genuine interaction, which enhanced the mood and set the tone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Now that the two are back home, Murphy is dishing up all the picture-perfect destination snapshots he captured along the way.<\/p>\n

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Seeing Santa Barbara<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n
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Since opening in 1927, Four Seasons The Biltmore Santa Barbara has preserved its Spanish Colonial-meets-modern-luxury style. <\/p>\n

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\u201cThe concept of rejuvenation [in Santa Barbara] was captured through the pictures of all the luxurious spaces presented to guests,” says Murphy. “These areas were very inviting and encouraged the user to step outside of “real life” for a moment and be treated to something special.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cSanta Barbara [offers] the biggest health-focus just because of the number of outdoor activities on your door step,” says Murphy. “You could swim, go for a bike ride, walk the beach, paddle board, the list goes on and on.\u201d <\/p>\n

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\u201cWe rented bikes and took the bike path along the ocean from Montecito and around downtown Santa Barbara. The Funk Zone was a personal favorite. We enjoyed the eclectic mix of breweries, wine tasting parlors, to one of a kind antique stores and my favorite Lucky Penny. What’s not to like about a local eatery completely clad in pennies!\u201d<\/p>\n

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Hundreds of thousands of copper coins mark the facade of Santa Barbara\u2019s Lucky Penny restaurant. The restaurant is known for its seasonal wood-fired pizza, salads and sandwiches.<\/p>\n

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Four Seasons Santa Barbara is pet-friendly, enabling guests to bring up to two, 50-pound dogs. Pet sitting is also available through the Resort. <\/p>\n

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\u201cThe image of the head chef holding a handful of freshly picked lemons was my favorite from Santa Barbara,” says Murphy. “[It] helped tell the story of the locally grown food and the farm to table cuisine that was so abundant in the Santa Barbara area.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The Santa Barbara Courthouse Clock tower. Visitors can ride the elevator to the top of the mechanical clock tower and enjoy stunning views of the city . <\/p>\n

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\u201cI’m very partial to old architecture and the beach, The Biltmore had the best of both worlds. It felt like you had your own private beach house, the personal experience was second to none.\u201d <\/p>\n

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Intricate glass chandeliers and Italian onyx set the scene for signature drinks and classic cocktails at the Resort’s Ty Lounge. Located steps from the lobby, the spot offers Spanish tapas at night, along with hard-to-find Spanish wines by the glass.<\/p>\n

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Located in the Funk Zone of Santa Barbara, Cork and Crowns’ tasting room is known for its wide selection of beer and wine tasting flights. For a more in-depth look at the area\u2019s wine offerings, <\/a>book the Resort’s wine tour package<\/a>, which includes a leisurely breakfast for two, as well as a five-hour vineyard excursion and gourmet lunch.<\/p>\n

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Tap or click a photo to launch slideshow<\/p>\n

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