Special Events
1960s Retro Vogue
Welcome back to the Swingin' 60s! Inside the ballroom, guests are treated to a classic early-1960s look of textures, colors, sights and sounds. The entire ballroom floor is covered with wood flooring; daybeds, stacked with multi-textured pillows, a chic place for guests to hang out. Classic Warhol-style furniture groupings, including benches and ottomans, create additional intimate conversation areas. Square metal cocktail tables both high and low are scattered throughout the space. The low tables are covered in a bright sheer fabric while the high tables are covered in colorful satins. The perimeter of the room is draped in white fabric with sections of “Pop Art” inspired fabrics in bright colors to break up the white walls. The white fabric sections are further accented with framed 60s-inspired prints and “Pop Art.”
Casa de Corte - Sunken Gardens
At night, Casa de Corte gleams like a jewel in a setting of bright lights. Walk with us into the surroundings of Casa de Corte, one of the nation's most outstanding public buildings for both its exterior and interior architecture. Look up at the hand-painted ceilings; admire the masterful wrought-iron fixtures; marvel at the exquisite designs of the imported Tunisian tiles. The scene will resonate the romance of an era usually found only in art and history books. The encompassing walls of Casa de Corte create a stage-set quality, all facing a magnificent Mediterranean courtyard with terraced landscaped levels that lead into the sunken garden. Spanish linens, along with towering wrought-iron pedestal centerpieces cascading with roses, create an intimate setting. Latin music and Spanish folkloric dancers complete this evening of Spanish elegance.
Casa de Corte- Mural Room
Casa de Corte has another impressive venue within its walls — The Mural Room featuring two-story murals that depict historical events of Santa Barbara. This breathtaking room is an excellent choice for an incredibly elegant and intimate evening. As guests embrace the atmosphere of the night, they feel as though they've taken a step back in time... history comes alive! Guests enter the Mural Room to an atmosphere light with simple elegance and heavy with history. Tables can be placed in a hollow square layout and draped to the floor in elegant gold linen accented with damask overlays. Wrought iron pedestals display centerpieces featuring an abundance of red roses in full bloom. Soft green ivy accented with clear glass votives surround these magnificent centerpieces. The surrounding murals are up lit in soft tones, bringing these beautiful paintings to life. The sounds of our classical Spanish guitars serenade guests during dinner, taking them back to a time only found in story books. A grand finale of Flamenco dancers dazzle guests for an unforgettable evening.
Midnight Blue Supper Club
The ambience of the evening promises to conjure thoughts of romance and the days when life seemed like easy living. As guests are welcomed into the ballroom, they are entranced by the deep-blue fabrics on the walls and dining tables, along with the flickering candlelight from blue mosaic hurricanes on the tables. A full banking of assorted palm trees scattered in grouping around the perimeter of the room will complete the “club” look. Tonight’s entertainment will bring all to a familiar time of the “Rat Pack” music of Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., Dean Martin and many more.
California Beach Bash
Guests arrive to the beach and find themselves transported to Classic California, straight out of a fabulous '60s surf film. They delight in an array of décor, ranging from tiki torches and giant palm trees lit in colorful colors to vintage longboards and bright primary-colored beach towels used as table settings. The '60s music that is being played is sure to bring back some memories!
An Elegant Wine Makers Dinner
Just north of Santa Barbara, the magic ingredients of soil, climate and skill combine to make great wines. Tonight, the magic of the wine country comes alive, a golden evening of elegance amidst a setting of grapevines and greenery awaits the guests for a Winemaker's Dinner. Guests have the opportunity to tour the winery while sampling some of the lastest varietals. Wines are paired with each course, and guests learn about the selection and the suitability with each dish.
Flag Is Up Farms Wins by a Mile!
Imagine the pleasure and privilege of visiting the West's most-famous horse trainer’s corral and home on a gorgeous Santa Ynez Valley 150-acre spread! Monty Roberts and wife, Pat, provide a true western welcome at their "Flag Is Up Farms.” More than 300 thoroughbreds thrive here, an equestrian's dream school that graduates famous champions. Even England's Queen Elizabeth calls upon Monty Roberts’ skills. Guests watch in wonder at the starting ring where a training demonstration of a yearling takes place before their eyes. On the terrace of the Roberts' home, a lip-smacking barbecue, foot-stomping music and even line dancing add to the "training" in wonderful western ways.
A Private Sail on the "Channel Cat"
There is no better way to show off Santa Barbara than cruising her spectacular coast-line aboard this 85' by 41’ wide fiberglass catamaran, which is currently the largest fiberglass catamaran in the world. This 3,000-square-foot luxury vessel can accommodate 80 guests for a sit-down dinner in the main cabin and 140 guests reception-style. The “Channel Cat” features a full commercial galley, 17’ Birdseye Maple deluxe bar, two deluxe powder rooms, five televisions, a full entertainment center and beautiful teak wood tables with matching chairs.
Dreamin' of California Citrus
Beyond the majestic hills of Santa Barbara lies a rich agricultural region. On this evening, we have planted a sampling of our California region within the hotel's ballroom. Guests enter the ballroom, embracing the punctuating aroma of freshly picked citrus wafting through the air. Tivoli lights flirtatiously stream from the ceiling and cascade from the trees. Tables alternate between lime, tangerine and lemon-yellow bengaline underskirts that are accented with rich, warm-toned organza overlays. In the center of each table are clusters of tangerines, lemons and limes pomandered together and accented with taper candles.
Santa Barbara Food and Wine Festival
Guests enter the area to a bustling “Taste of Santa Barbara,” featuring an open Food and Wine Festival in full swing. Wafts of freshly prepared delicacies stray through the air as market vendors whittle away at culinary delights. Four or five food stations are placed throughout the perimeter of the space. Each 8’-12’ buffet table is accented with fresh floral, colorful linen and an abundance of food art. Local food experts also enhance many of these food stations. For example, the olive-oil dipping station will have representatives from the Santa Barbara Olive Company offering samples of various types of olives and olive oils, or the cheese station may have representatives offering guests education on the process of cheese and type of cheese paired with wine. Wine representatives offer wine tastings from many of the local Santa Barbara Wineries to complete this popular event. Come delight your senses with all the gourment riches Santa Barbara has to offer.
Gala Dinner by the Sea
With magnificent views of the Pacific and the sound of waves crashing onto the shore, guests are welcomed to one of Santa Barbara's only private beaches to dine in elegance along the sea that is so much a part of the California lifestyle. Dining tables are draped in aquamarine linens. The focal point of each table is an arrangement of fresh flowers that appear to come right out of the sea. Each of these arrangements is accented with sea shells and cut-glass votive candles. Centerpieces are pin-spotted in soft tone light, bringing the center of each table to life. As the sun sets, guests notice that the surf beneath them has also been strategically lit to illuminate each wave as it curls onto the shore. Throughout the evening, the background sound of our jazz ensemble serenades guests, making this a truly simple, yet elegant evening along our shores and under the Santa Barbara stars.