Lotusland is a 37-acre subtropical and tropical wonderland realized by the vision of Hana Puacz, a Polish woman humbly born in 1887. A renowned beauty, she changed her name from to Ganna Walska with the launch of her operatic and acting career, performaning over the coming decades in New York, Paris and Europe, attracting the attention of audiences, critics and gentlemen on both sides of the Atlantic. The paparazzi followed her and men begged for her hand in marriage, including Harold Fowler McCormick, who scandalously divorced Edith Rockefeller in 1922 in order to marry the socialite opera singer.
Always an adventurer, and desiring to leave Nazi Europe, Madam Walska turned her sights toward California's sunny climate and free thinking residents. At the encouragement of her 6th, last and much younger husband, Theos Bernard, she purchased the Santa Barbara, Spanish inspired Mediterranean style Cuesta Linda estate in 1941, intending to use it as a retreat for Tibetan monks, renaming it "Tibetanland".
The monks never appeared, and after divorcing Bernard, Madame Walsaka changed the estate's name to "Lotusland" in honor of the incredibly tall sacred Indian lotus growing in one of the estate's many ponds. For her life's remaining 40 years Walsaka transformed from socialite to renowned garden designer. Often selling jewels and bartering to fund acquisitions, she experimented with bold forms. mass plantings and unusual color combinations. Although there are topiaries, rose gardens and citrus arbors, the primary focus is on succulents, cactus, airplants, palms, and cycads. Rare species abound, some protected by international treaties, occasionally representing the only natural site these plants can be found in the world. You had no idea some of these plants even existed and now you can't wait to discover more about them.
But all that garden wandering can make a person MIGHTY hungry. So Its off to the Cold Spring Tavern. Originally a stagecoach stop in 1865 between San Francisco and Los Angeles, it's located about 20 minutes by car north of Santa Barbara in Cold Spring Canyon in the Marcos Pass area on the way to Santa Ynez. We would have never found it without Steve's old MIT pal, Bob Johnson, leading the way. Okay - and with a little help from a local biker.
If your looking for tofu and vegan chow - this ISN'T your place. Folks make the trek here for venisin sausage, buffalo burgers, beef tips, their famous chili, wild bear - when available - and the amazing beer battered onion rings. Yes they do serve quiche and some seafood - but on the weekends it's bikers and BBQ.
The Kaufman's thank Lisa and Bob Johnson for putting us up yet again in their historical Santa Barbara home with views down the valley to the water. We'd never find these gems, the restaurants or theaters without you. Heading this way - we'll ask the Johnson's for their recommendations. Trust us, you'll never know Santa Barbara until you get the Johnson's "visit list".
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