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2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
It’s “different” in Montecito…………
With my S580 still in the shop, my wife and I drove the GLE350 Loaner up to Santa Barbara. When we go up there, we spend most of our time in Montecito, where if you need to ask the price of most anything, you can’t afford it. Adam Levine just bought Rob Lowe’s 10,000 sq. ft. home there for a cool $52 million. Anyway, I caught a couple of photos of different cars and thought you might enjoy them. How about a very exclusive and coach built Bentley Ares Mulsanne Coupe, complete with rubber ducky hood ornament. I also saw a Rolls-Royce Dawn with an orange fabric roof.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by Bubba1
Nice pictures Stream! Thanks for posting. Never seen a duckie as a hood ornament lol.
How was your time in Santa Barbara? I’ve always enjoyed our visits there.
Unfortunately, Santa Barbara is in a bit of a transition period right now. The greater downtown area, with State St. running down the middle has become riddled with the homeless, crazies, etc. During the virus months, they blocked off several blocks of State St. and the barricades are still there, not allowing vehicular traffic, only bicycles, skateboards, etc., which has brought in a crowd who don’t shop, don’t dine at nice restaurants, but just sort of hang out. Many of all quaint shops are gone along with several restaurants and there are now many empty storefronts. It’s not that enjoyable anymore.
For decades, we called The Four Seasons Biltmore our home away from home. Again, unfortunately, Ty Warner of Beanie Baby fame owns the hotel and has shut out Four Seasons. Some sort of a dispute and all the staff was let go. Big lawsuits. I don’t know all the details, but The Biltmore has been closed for years now, just sitting there. Ty Warner also owns the San Ysidro Ranch. We used to stay there sometimes, but when he closed The Biltmore, he cranked the rates at SYR to the moon and it’s just not worth it to us to stay there anymore for $3K a night.
Anyway, the bloom is a bit off the rose in the SB/Montecito area these days, at least for us.
Ahh sorry to here. We haven’t been in several years. Sounds like there’s quite the transition going on. It appears the rest of California is facing quite the homeless crisis. Just reading a book called San Fransicko. Very eye opening indeed!
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by Bubba1
Ahh sorry to here. We haven’t been in several years. Sounds like there’s quite the transition going on. It appears the rest of California is facing quite the homeless crisis. Just reading a book called San Fransicko. Very eye opening indeed!
My wife and I were regular visitors to “The City By the Bay.” We stayed at posh hotels, dined at ritzy restaurants, drained my wallet shopping, but more than likely, NEVER AGAIN! If SF could simply break off and sink below the Pacific Ocean—hopefully taking Oakland with it—I would not shed a tear. The same sort of madness that torched the MB dealership in Oakland a few years back (had to make this post related to MB) has destroyed SF. I know that many will say “well, it’s only in certain areas,” but I don’t care. A population that supports and condones what the idiot politicians are doing there, does not deserve my patronage and I choose not to mingle with them. I sure as hell will never drive my Mercedes-Benz through those mean streets ever again.
Last edited by Streamliner; May 23, 2023 at 10:48 AM.
Ahh sorry to here. We haven’t been in several years. Sounds like there’s quite the transition going on. It appears the rest of California is facing quite the homeless crisis. Just reading a book called San Fransicko. Very eye opening indeed!
With my S580 still in the shop, my wife and I drove the GLE350 Loaner up to Santa Barbara. When we go up there, we spend most of our time in Montecito, where if you need to ask the price of most anything, you can’t afford it. Adam Levine just bought Rob Lowe’s 10,000 sq. ft. home there for a cool $52 million. Anyway, I caught a couple of photos of different cars and thought you might enjoy them. How about a very exclusive and coach built Bentley Ares Mulsanne Coupe, complete with rubber ducky hood ornament. I also saw a Rolls-Royce Dawn with an orange fabric roof.
Other than the color, the Bentley is gorgeous. The more I think about it, the more I think you need to get a Bentley. As of now, that's what I would get.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by MBS63AMG
Other than the color, the Bentley is gorgeous. The more I think about it, the more I think you need to get a Bentley. As of now, that's what I would get.
At least in profile, I believe that custom Bentley Coupe is absolutely gorgeous! I’m not as enamored with the exteriors of the current offerings.
At least in profile, I believe that custom Bentley Coupe is absolutely gorgeous! I’m not as enamored with the exteriors of the current offerings.
Ooo, I think it is gorgeous. Very stately and consistent with past offerings. That's what I like about Bentleys and Rolls, they keep their lineage intact. No surprises yet modern. Mercedes Benz used to be like that.
Last edited by MBS63AMG; May 22, 2023 at 07:59 PM.
My wife and I were regular visitors to “The City By the Bay.” We stayed at posh hotels, dined at ritzy restaurants, drained my wallet shopping, but more than likely, NEVER AGAIN! If SF could simply break off and sink below the Pacific Ocean—hopefully taking Oakland with it—I would not shed a tear. The same sort of madness that torched the MB dealership in Oakland a few years back (had to make this post related to MB) has destroyed SF. I know that many will say “well, it’s only in certain areas,” but I don’t care. A population that supports and condones what the idiot politicians are doing there, does not deserve my patronage and I choose not to mingle them. I sure as hell will never drive my Mercedes-Benz through those mean streets ever again.
How sad indeed. We have spent a lot of time in the Bay Area and even lived south of San Francisco for many years. Truly a tragedy.
Our friends who live in Menlo Park won’t even go into SF anymore. I’m not sure the political will exists to correct the problems that have been created.
Portland, Seattle, Chicago, NY, LA, all are being destroyed. Everyone knows why, but nothing is being done. We are even worried about Boston, as there is a new mayor Chicago native that was recently elected.
There was virtually no crime up here day or night, but now it's getting worse too.
Ooo, I think it is gorgeous. Very stately and consistent with past offerings. That's what I like about Bentleys and Rolls, they keep their lineage intact. No surprises yet modern. Mercedes Benz used to be like that.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
) has destroyed SF. I know that many will say “well, it’s only in certain areas,” but I don’t care. A population that supports and condones what the idiot politicians are doing there, does not deserve my patronage and I choose not to mingle with them. I sure as hell will never drive my Mercedes-Benz through those mean streets ever again.
... oh well, times has changed... 
