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Leslie A. Westbrook on Muck Rack

Leslie A. Westbrook

Verified
(She/Her)
Santa Barbara
As seen in: Montecito Journal, Robb Report, Traditional Home, Next Avenue, Santa Barbara Independent, Sunset, AFAR, Ventura County Reporter, Alta Journal, Nob Hill Gazette, Coastal View News and
Covers:  travel, design, the arts, food, wine, people, non-profits, first person essays

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Leslie A. Westbrook’s Biography

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I am a native California writer based in the seaside town of Carpinteria. I have been freelance writing for many decades and am the author of two books including The Insiders Guide to Santa Barbara (Globe Pequot Press). My beats include travel, design, profiles, first person essays, quirky subjects, music previews and restaurant reviews.
During my decades long career, I have worked for and/or written for Conde Nast Traveler, Vanity Fair, Bride's, Sunset, AFAR, San Francisco Chronicle, ALTA, as…

Leslie A. Westbrook’s Journalist Portfolio

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Letter from the Big Apple - pt two

Letter from the Big Apple - pt two

A visit to the Chelsea hotel and a rave about the play "Just in Time' with Jonathon Groff.

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New York New York

New York New York

Art museum visits in the fall of 2025.

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Ojai's El Roblar Hotel is Pitch Perfect!

Ojai's El Roblar Hotel is Pitch Perfect!

The former Oaks at Ojai has been transformed into a Southwest style hot spot.

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What is old is new again: The Rochers at The Ranch House

What is old is new again: The Rochers at The Ranch House

New restaurant with chef from Valencia Spain knocks it out of the ballpark!

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The Alisal - Sure and Steady - Montecito

The Alisal - Sure and Steady - Montecito

Grab your cowboy hat and cowboy boots, throw your kids or grandkids (if it's a weekend) in the car, or perhap…

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Articles

Part 2 of Japan Journey: The First Blossom

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By Leslie A. Westbrook Verified
| Montecito Journal Verified
The first cherry blossoms of the season After making my way through Japanese customs, I was thrilled to be greeted at the airport by Yoshi, who announced with great enthusiasm, “The first cherry blossom has bloomed!” How auspicious, I thought, to arrive on the day of the first official bloom. At first, I imagined there was only one cherry blossom somewhere in this vast city of 14 million people. Where, exactly, would I find it?
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LA Stopovers at Palisociety’s “Houses and Hotels”

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By Leslie A. Westbrook Verified
| Montecito Journal Verified
To begin with, I really like the Palisociety hotel brand. Their website – “World Famous Palisociety – Hotels by Avi Brosh” – is easy to navigate, and the staff, from the front desk to the bartenders, are consistently warm, friendly, and stylishly unpretentious. The interior design is fun and hip without trying too hard. I recently checked out two of their Los Angeles properties. In the “California tourism” realm, L.A. ranks just behind San Francisco and just ahead of San Diego.
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Road Trippin’ Up North: Part 2 – Sonoma to Marin

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By Leslie A. Westbrook Verified
| Montecito Journal Verified
There is nothing better than a happy accident – not a car accident, but a missed turn-off that reveals an eye-popping, jaw-dropping view which is what happened on my backroads drive from Petaluma, in Sonoma County to Lagunitas, in Marin County. After whizzing past The Marin Cheese Company, without enough time to pull over (next time!), and then missing my turn-off towards Lagunitas, I came upon the Nicasio Reservoir, full and stunning, from the winter rains.
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Interview

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What was your first job as a journalist?

Art review for a weekly newspaper.

Have you ever used a typewriter?

Yes, IBM selectric. Loved it. Used a lot of tape and scissors as well.

How is social media changing news?

I missed the blog train.

Awards

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Lowell Thomas Travel Writing Award

2014 - Bronze

The Art, Drink and Gentrification of The Funk Zone

Napa Valley Wine Writing Symposium Fellow

2016 - Fellowship

Fellowship to attend this annual 4 day symposium in Napa Valley California with other award winning journalists from around the globe.

Member of Society of American Travel Writers (SATW)

2026