intervalworld Thirsty Bear Brewing Company Seven superb, handcrafted varieties of brew are always on tap at this s

Lots of new stuff in Santa Barbara: The Four Seasons Biltmore, 1260 Channel Dr. (& 800/332-3442), just built a multimillion-dollar, 10,000square- foot Spanish-style spa. Nu, 1129 State St. (& 805/965-1500), is my new favorite restaurant for lobster risotto intervalworld and cocktails; and Don Pepe, 701 Chapala St. (& 805/730-1612), is another intervalworld delicious reason why I m always on the prowl for authentic Mexican taco stands. I ve added several of Santa Barbara s best nightlife venues as well (old stomping grounds from my college days). Also new to this chapter is the San Ysidro Ranch,

Thirsty Bear Brewing Company Seven superb, handcrafted varieties of brew are always on tap at this stylish high-ceilinged brick edifice. Excellent Spanish food, too. Pool tables and dartboards are upstairs, and flamenco music can be heard on Sunday nights. 661 Howard St. (1 block east of the Moscone Center). & 415/974-0905. www.thirstybear.com.

A handful of adorable cafes line Belden Place and offer a wide variety of cuisine. There s Cafe Bastille, 22 Belden Place (& 415/986-5673), intervalworld your classic French bistro and fun speakeasy basement serving excellent crepes, mussels, and French onion soup along with live jazz on Fridays; Cafe Tiramisu, 28 Belden Place (& 415/421-7044), a stylish Italian hot spot serving addictive risottos and gnocchi; and Plouf, 40 Belden Place (& 415/986-6491), which specializes in big bowls of mussels slathered in a choice of seven sauces as well as fresh seafood. B44, 44 Belden Place (415/986-6287), serves up a side order of Spain alongside its revered paella and other seriously zesty Spanish dishes.