El Capitan Canyon
Santa Barbara, Calif.

Just 20 miles outside of Santa Barbara, El Capitan Canyon features seaside nature lodging on 300-plus acres of the Pacific coast.

The accommodations: Cedar cabins and safari tents are grouped in villages along El Capitan Creek. The cedar cabins are more upscale, with a porch, heating, kitchenette and wireless Internet. If you prefer to "rough it" slightly, the safari tents are open to the outdoors, but still feature plush beds and an outdoor cooking area.

The food: The rustic, barnlike Canyon Market and Deli features breakfast, lunch and dinner, and "BBQ Kits" with all the fixins for a flame-kissed meal at your campsite.

Outdoor activities: Hike El Capitan Canyon, charter a boat, take surfing lessons or relax on the beach.

Get more information at www.elcapitancanyon.com

Photo courtesy El Capitan Canyon