A Taste of the Mediterranean

El Encanto is a Californian retreat with a Mediterranean soul

By Danaë Petsimeris 

I often ask myself which landscapes I prefer, those of my native France or those of California. When my French friends visit, we compare the beauty of Santa Barbara to the South of France. I find comfort in finding reminders of the Mediterranean in the natural landscape and architecture of the county, which make me think of Santa Barbara as a home away from home. The difference, I’d say, is that in Santa Barbara the beauty feels expansive—everything stretches beyond, either out to the ocean or on to the mountains. It feels open, limitless. In the Mediterranean, the beauty is more concentrated and intense. Walking through the architecture and gardens of El Encanto reminds me of my time in Spain and the South of France, with a Californian touch.

El Encanto, which means “enchantment” in Spanish, carries its name well. The natural soundtrack is birdsong, from dawn til dusk. The accommodations are cottages with thick whitewashed plaster walls and terracotta roofs, tastefully designed with decorative ironwork, flower-shaped railings, and windows made from old glass, visible in the wave of the panes. The architecture has Mediterranean qualities—curvaceous shapes, organic forms, and a sense that nature coexists in a man-made space. Look closely and you will see this in the details, such as the flower designs that have been worked into lampshades. The hotel gardens include Mediterranean species that thrive in Santa Barbara’s climate: eucalyptus, palm, sage, citrus, olive trees, and bougainvillea, growing alongside the white cottages.

At El Encanto the past blends with the present. It is both a cultural and social mecca, shaped by more than a century of architectural heritage—California Craftsman and Spanish Colonial Revival. Actors have visited for decades—from Carole Lombard to Bradley Cooper—and I understand why. The entire property feels like an enchanting escape. 

We head to lunch at the Dining Room, where the menu is Mediterranean-inspired—healthy, textured, and complex. Designed by Chef Alexander Bollinger to be shared, meals invite a sense of community to the table. Just like in Southern Europe, you share your table and the dishes. Although I wouldn’t tell my Greek grandmother, the best pita bread I have ever tasted is at El Encanto. You know something is special when the part of a dish that isn’t meant to be the focus becomes the most memorable. The dough is perfect—soft and melts in the mouth. It’s served with black garlic hummus and a delicious whipped feta and tomato spread. More plates follow, each one presented by the friendly staff with grace and care. The hamachi crudo is balanced—lime and ginger give it bite, while coconut and lychee add smoothness. You can choose anything from the menu and be confident that its quality has been assured by locally sourced ingredients, many from the chef’s garden. 

I’ve always had a sweet tooth, which draws me to the Goleta Lemon dessert. This is a work of art—a trompe l’oeil lemon you crack open like a crème brûlée. Inside: lemon curd, local pistachio, white chocolate, and yuzu mousse. In a word: sublime. 

After an afternoon of fine food and good company in a beautiful setting looking out over the Pacific, I feel as relaxed as when on vacation in the Mediterranean. El Encanto certainly lives up to its name.