The Inn on Summer Hill is built for relaxation, whether you want to enjoy wine and cheese on the porch or relax in the Jacuzzi.

Sometimes you need a place to go where you can hide out for the weekend and do as little as possible.

April and I were in need of that with the impending arrival of our fourth child. So, with the kids safely deposited in the care of my mother-in-law, we headed for Summerland one Friday night. In little more than an hour, we found ourselves in the perfect place - the Inn on Summer Hill.

Located just south of Santa Barbara, the AAA Four Diamond Award-winning bed and breakfast is designed for indulgence. Fireplaces, robes, and Jacuzzi bathtubs are standard in each room, as are high-rise canopy beds topped with cozy comforters and all manner of fluffy pillows. Our spacious balcony offered sweeping ocean views with the Channel Islands outlined in the distance. Just outside the door was a full-size hot tub.

After settling in, I wandered back down to the lobby to check out some movies from the Inn's eclectic tape library. Yes, tape - who knew technology could be quaint? They have quite a selection on VHS, but the TVs also have built-in DVD players if you prefer to bring your Netflix selections. The trip downstairs also gave me an excuse to peruse that night's dessert offerings, which included mini apple turnovers and a chocolaty mousse type thing topped with coconut.

The next morning was quite unusual. We awoke about 9 with no help from three little somebodies in other rooms calling "Moooommmmyyyyy." And instead of making breakfast, it was our turn to sit and have someone bring it to us. What a treat that was.

We helped ourselves to the fresh fruit salad, blueberry crisp, bread pudding and almond scones. Meanwhile, the chef prepared two orders of her delectable daily special: a corn tortilla stacked with scrambled eggs, corn salsa, avocado, cilantro and a drizzle of sour cream. It was superb. Now properly fortified, we felt up for tackling some more relaxation.

We could have walked down Lillie Avenue to the nearby antique shops. But that seemed a bit strenuous, and counter-productive to our aim for the weekend. A nap seemed more in line with our mission.

It was sometime after noon before we felt rested enough to venture out. We were soon cruising State Street in Santa Barbara looking for an empty parking place. It only took two laps through the downtown area to find one.

We window-shopped down State Street, took in a matinee at the Paseo Nuevo Cinemas, and even made a few purchases. Sadly, the vintage red, green, and white plaid polyester pants I pointed out to April in Yellowstone Clothing were not among them.

Aside from a pretzel during the movie, we hadn't eaten since breakfast. It was early for dinner, but we were hungry and avoiding the inevitable dinnertime crowds sounded appealing. So we ducked into Bucatini, a charming trattoria on the corner of State and Haley. While we enjoyed slices of fresh mozzarella and tomatoes topped with basil sprigs and extra virgin olive oil, the dining room slowly filled. And by the time we finished our spaghetti and pizza, the rush was on. Perfect timing.

We opted for dessert back at the inn, which serves up something sweet nightly between 8 and 9:30. It clearly was the right choice: almond pound cake, sliced strawberries and fresh whipped cream.

As good as that was, Sunday breakfast was even better. This time it was a raspberry crisp, more fruit salad, two kinds of scones (maple and chocolate chip), Fuji apple tarts, and bread pudding with dried apricots. The made-to-order option was a frittata with roasted potatoes, spinach, eggs and cheddar cheese accompanied by two sausage links.

Full once again, it was hard to think about packing up. But we did, and eventually gave up our cozy hideout and returned to Santa Clarita stuffed, relaxed and confident in the knowledge that we had accomplished exactly what we set out to do.

Make your Escape
Inn on Summer Hill
2520 Lillie Avenue
Summerland, California 93067
800-845-5566
www.innonsummerhill.com

Bucatini
436 State Street
Santa Barbara, California 93101
805-957-4177
www.bucatini.com