At first glance, Paige Doughty seems like a relatively simple person. She has things she likes, she has things she doesn’t like. She’s attentive and brutally honest in the best way. She is always herself, but isn’t all-revealing all the time. I have had the chance to be with her what seems like every hour of everyday, but the rare hour I’m not in her company, I find myself missing her. Her favorite place in Santa Barbara also appears as simple, Butterfly Beach. But what makes it stand out in her mind is all the memories she has shared with friends there, not how nice it may be. I think your interests reveal truths about your character, and Butterfly does just this for Paige. Simple. Pretty. Grounded. And a template for memories worth more than any location in the world.

I have already briefly talked about this beach in the blog about the Coral Casino, which is on one end of it, but it deservingly should receive it’s own post. Butterfly is recognizable and iconic in Santa Barbara. Even my mom, who grew up in SB, has memories of going there in the summer. It’s distinguished by the stone wall that lines it, parrellel to the ocean. This wall is perfect for picnics or chilling out on when it may be too chilly to sit in the sand but you still want a view of the ocean. There is a cute patch of grass with a tree at the end of this wall which just completes the picture, being a good bookend the the Coral on the other side. The beach itself is simple and pristine, with no rocks in the water so it’s easy to cool off.

Like basically everything I love, it looks best bathed in pastel. And sunset at here is no different. Sometimes I will drive past on my way home from a long day of dance, if it’s the right time of night, and just watch the sun pass the horizon. My favorite memory I have here with Paige is the day Quincy, Paige, and I took paddle boards and paddled out into the channel. We squealed when seaweed touched our feet and sunbathed together while looking back to the shrinking people one the shore. Thinking about times like this make me endlessly excited for this summer to come, and I can’t wait to spend it by Paige’s side.