Come Monday, we'll be here for seven days, relaxing with some friends and lounging on the beach. In 1940, my great-grandmother built a beach house here, south of Santa Barbara, and for the last 30 years I have spent a week or two here each year. Wood for the fireplace: $35. Gas to drive there: $80. Falling asleep to the sound of the Pacific Ocean outside the bedroom window: priceless.

Here is the view, as the sun goes down, from the front deck of the beach house.