Santa Barbara Travel Guide, Discount & Cheap Santa Barbara Travel & Tourism, Free Santa Barbara Travel Guide Online
Santa Barbara Travel Guide: Discount & Cheap Santa Barbara Travel & Tourism, Free Santa Barbara Travel Guide Online
Santa Barbara, California is alive with youthful energy within an atmosphere of casual sophistication and charm. Students from five colleges in the area bring vitality and enthusiasm, collaborating with local residents on many worthwhile projects. The city rests on a narrow shelf between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific coast, and is one of southern California's foremost vacation areas.
A day in the city could be spent biking, beach-going, fishing, or hiking in a setting rich with distinctive architecture, public art, beautiful parks and playgrounds. The same day could also include spending time at Santa Barbara's enchanting zoo or visiting a selection of museums with special children's exhibits.
The Santa Ynez Valley stretches west through central Santa Barbara County, reaching toward the city and the Pacific Ocean beyond. It's a land of relaxed beauty, where narrow roads curl through the knobby, windswept Santa Rita Hills, through rows of walnut trees and strawberry fields, past acres of cabbage and broccoli and, here and there, a few vineyards. Santa Barbara has the perfect climate for growing the varieties of grapes that produce the finest wines. Visitors benefit from the fact that this secret is just being discovered, and they can still take a tour of Santa Barbara's wine country at a leisurely pace without the press of crowds.
It is exhilarating to venture into the back country and enjoy the rugged beauty of National Forest lands, home to everything from modern lakeside campgrounds to trackless wilderness, providing almost unlimited recreational choices for families. Returning to Santa Barbara from a day of hiking, there is the opportunity to ease back gradually into city life through a visit to the alpine village of Solvang. This is the county's "Little Denmark," with windmills, Tudor architecture, and a wealth of Scandinavian food and souvenirs.
Santa Barbara County offers an outstanding variety of cultural attractions, such as, theater, dance, art galleries and musical performances.
You don't need a car to enjoy downtown Santa Barbara because most everything, fromshopping and dining to performances and historic attractions, is within walking distance.Walking through Santa Barbara on foot gives a close-up look at its distinctive architectural style. This style is largely the work of engineer Bernhard Hoffman, who founded the City Planning Commission and worked with other community organizations to enforce building codes and architectural standards early in the 20th century. Following a major earthquake, legislation was enacted to insure that all new construction would conform to modern safety guidelines. The new style that emerged was influenced by the architecture of Spain, but is a blend of genres, including Spanish, Mediterranean, and Moorish/Islamic. Its key features are the gleaming white stucco surfaces, the famous red tile roofs, courtyards, and the decorative wrought iron windows, light fixtures, and staircases.
A free electric shuttle runs every 10-15 minutes to all points of interest. Shopping is a major pastime on State street, which is lined with boutiques, cafés, bookstores, as well as toy and book stores of interest to children. On Brinkerhoff Avenue there are a large number of antique shops.
The beach is beautiful, the weather almost always perfect, and the people friendly. Many vacationers rent bikes and blades and travel up and down the beachfront path along Cabrillo Boulevard. The county draws surfers, hikers, naturalists, in-line skaters, mountain bikers, rock climbers, scuba divers and hang gliders, to mention a few. Santa Barbara has been described by many as " heaven on earth".
Santa Barbara Attractions: Santa Barbara Travel Guide, Discount & Cheap Santa Barbara Travel & Tourism, Free Santa Barbara Travel Guide Online
Santa Barbara Museum of Art 1130 State Street Santa Barbara CA, 93101 805-963-4364 Tues-Sat 11:00am-5:00pm, Fri 11:00am-9:00pm, Sun 12:00pm-5:00pm Fax: 805-966-6840 The Santa Barbara Museum of Art, one of southern California's finest art museums, features nationally recognized collections and special exhibitions of international importance. Highlights of the museum's remarkable permanent collection include antiquities; 19th century French, British, and American art; 20th century and contemporary European, North American and Latin American art; Asian art; photography, and works on paper. Recent special exhibitions of significance include Nam June Paik: Video Art Pioneer, Copy Work: The Dictionary Pages and Other Diversions by Gilles Barbier, and The Jefferson Suites: An Audio-Visual Installation by Carrie Mae Weems. Museum visitors will also enjoy the interactive children's gallery, the café and the Museum Store.
Los Carneros County Park Los Carneros Rd. at Calle Real Goleta CA, 805-568-2461
Santa Barbara County Courthouse 1100 Anacapa St. at Anapamu St. (805) 962-6464 Mon-Fri 8 AM to 5 PM Sat & Sun 9 AM to 5 PM Tours Mon- Sat at 2 PM, & Fri 10:30 AM and 2PM Free hour-long guided tours are offered. Free admission. Santa Barbara County Courthouse, a magnificent Spanish-Moorish structure is one of the most photographed landmarks in the city. Completed in 1929 (fortuitously just before the stock market crash), the ornate structure features hand painted ceilings, a spiral staircase, wrought iron chandeliers, imported tiles, carved doors and beautiful historical murals.
Santa Barbara Harbor and Breakwater Cabrillo Blvd. west of Castillo St. 7 Days/Week Admission Free You'll find everything from rowboats to expensive yachts tied up at the harbor, which is nestled inside a protective breakwater. Watch the boats come in, observe windsurfers offshore, browse the shops or visit one of the harbor's restaurants. The breakwater, constructed in 1924, is paved and wide enough to accommodate a whole family. At the east end of the harbor is Sea Landing, where the seagoing Condor departs for seasonal whale-watching excursions.
Santa Barbara Historical Society/Museum 136 E. De La Guerra Santa Barbara CA, 93101 805-966-1601 Tues-Sat 10:00am-5:00pm, Sun 12:00pm-4:00pm Guided tour offered Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 1:30 PM. Admission Free, but a donation is appreciated. Art, textiles, furniture, clothing and other artifacts from Santa Barbara's rich multicultural past have been preserved in this complex of adobe structures under the auspices of the Santa Barbara Historical Society. Step back in time as you view the collected remnants of the area's Spanish, Mexican and American periods, or stroll the inner courtyard, which seems far removed from the busy streets that surround the museum and adjacent historical adobes The Gledhill Library, on the museum grounds, houses an impressive collection of books, maps and photographs chronicling Santa Barbara's history. 10 - 4 Tues. - Fri.; 10- 1 the first Saturday of the month.An hourly library research fee is charged for persons who are not members of the Historical Society.
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History 2559 Puesta Del Sol Road Santa Barbara CA, 93105 805-682-4711 Mon-Sat 9:00am-5:00pm, Sun 10:00am-5:00pm Admission charged. Admission is free to all on the first Sunday of each month.nominal charge in addition to the museum admission fee for planetarium shows.Tucked inconspicuously among the oaks in Mission Canyon, the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History is thought by many to be one of the most beautiful small museums in the country. Founded in 1916 on the banks of Mission Creek, the low-roofed, Spanish-style structure includes several exhibit halls dedicated to the study of California and Santa Barbara County natural history.
Santa Barbara Zoological Gardens 805-962-5339 500 Ninos Drive Santa Barbara CA, 93103 Open every day (except Thanksgiving and Christmas) from 10 - 5 ( ticket sales end at 4) Mon-Sun 10-5 Admission charged. A year's family membership of $45 provides a quarterly newsletter, discounts on education programs and the Gift Shop and free admission to dozens of other zoos across the country (including the Los Angeles Zoo).Over the years the zoo has added an impressive number of new animals and exhibits, and it continues to be dedicated to preserving a quality environment for both visitors and the zoo's permanent residents. More than 700 animals currently reside at the zoo, which hosts more than a half-million visitors every year.
Sea Center 805-963-1067 The Andree Clark Bird Refuge (1400 E. Cabrillo Blvd.) is home to water andland loving birds of all kinds. Especially interesting are the rare species of gracklesand wood ducks. Observation platforms and educational signs enhance the bird watching.A walkway and bike path allow exploration. A drive through the exclusive residentialneighborhood of Hope Ranch (west of the city) along palm lined Las Palmas Drivepasses secluded luxurious homes, miles of bridle paths, a private country cluband golf course, and Laguna Blanca, its private lake.
Arlington Center for the Performing Arts 1317 State St. (805) 963-4408 The Arlington Center is one of Santa Barbara's most beloved performance venues, and both its name and its location speak volumes about Santa Barbara history. In 1875 the site was occupied by the tony Arlington Hotel, a magnet for the rich and famous of the day, including several presidents, movie stars, military heroes and foreign guests. In 1909, however, a fire of undetermined origin burned the hotel to the ground. A "new" Arlington was built on the site, but it never quite lived up to the original and was razed in 1925.
El Paseo 15 E. De la Guerra St. (805) 965-0093 Browsing is free anytime at El Paseo, but most shops and galleries don't open until 10 AM.Spanish Colonial Revival-style architecture is shown off beautifully in El Paseo, a small shopping complex (reportedly America's first "shopping center") built in the 1920s around the historic De la Guerra adobe. The adobe was built between 1819 and 1826 by Jose de la Guerra y Noriega, who was at the time commander of El Presidio de Santa Barbara. De la Guerra and his wife, Dońa Maria Antonia, raised 12 children here, and the house was the social center of Santa Barbara for years.-includes shops, galleries and restaurants. The main entrance is on the 800 block of State Street, but access is also available on De la Guerra and Anacapa streets.
El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park 123 E. Canon Perdido St. (805) 966-9719 Daily 10:30 - 4:30 Admission free. In the middle of bustling downtown Santa Barbara is a nearly block-long complex of stark buildings that represent the city's beginnings. Founded in 1782 by Lieutenant Jose Francisco de Ortega, the Royal Presidio was the last military outpost of the Spanish Empire in the New World. Visits to the site are self-guided, although groups may call to arrange a docent led tour. A 15 minute slide show is well worth seeing, and a scale model of the Presidio offers a detailed look at life in Spanish California.
Fernald Mansion 414 W. Montecito St. (805) 966-1601 Open on the first Sunday of the month from 2 - 4 Admission Free Situated next door to the Trussell-Winchester Adobe, the 14 room Fernald Mansion is one of the few Victorian style homes preserved in Santa Barbara. An example of the traditional "gingerbread" Victorian, the gabled mansion was built in 1826 by local lawman Charles Fernald for his wife, Hannah. The mansion was originally located on lower Santa Barbara Street, but was moved to the Montecito Street address, where it is now operated as a museum by the Santa Barbara Historical Society. The Fernald family's furnishings and personal effects are of interest, as are the hand carved ornamentation, staircase and wainscoting.
Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum 21 W. Anapamu St. (805) 962-5322 Daily 10 - 4 Admission Free A small museum dedicated to the showing of historical documents, the Karpeles has a significant collection of rare manuscripts from such authors as H.G. Wells, Mark Twain, Sir Author Conan Doyle and John Steinbeck. Exhibits revolve periodically, so you may see new documents each time you visit. Occasionally, the museum hosts special events such as the recent exhibition on Anne Frank and the rise of Hitler.
Lobero Theatre Foundation 33 E. Canon Perdido Street Santa Barbara CA, 93101 805-966-4946 M-F 9:00am-5:00pm Admission charged. Please call for prices. When Jose Lobero set out to build his dream opera house in Santa Barbara, he had the financial backing and the necessary artistic flair, but he made a mistake when he chose the neighborhood. The opera house opened on February 22, 1873 (with the premiere performance of an opera written by Lobero), and Santa Barbarans came in droves, but soon business declined. The theater had been built in what was then (not now) the site of Chinese opium dens. Eventually, Lobero lost the theater and committed suicide, and the building was razed in 1923. The elaborate Spanish-style theater that occupies the site today was built in 1924 and named in Lobero's honor. It currently serves as home to the Lobero Stage Company, the Santa Barbara Grand Opera and the venue for countless other community events and performances. The neighborhood is charming and the theater is extremely popular. Tours are available by appointment only.
Mission Santa Barbara 2201 Laguna St. (805) 682-4713 Open seven days a week 9 - 5 Admission charged. Adults $3 Children 16 and younger, Free. Known as the "Queen of the Missions" for its beauty and hilltop setting, Mission Santa Barbara was the 10th of California's 21 missions founded by Franciscan friars and is the only one that has been continuously occupied by the Franciscan order since its founding. It was dedicated in 1820. The second bell tower was added more than a decade later.Reportedly inspired by a drawing of a church designed by the Roman architect M. Vitruvius Polion in the first century B.C., Mission Santa Barbara has strongly influenced the architectural style of the city, with its thick adobe walls, tiled roof and floors, and open courtyards. Inside, rooms are preserved in the style of the 1700s, with artifacts and displays relating to early mission life. The self-guided tour includes eight rooms, the cloister gardens, the chapel, the cemetery and the beautiful Moorish fountain and courtyard. A gift shop near the entrance sells religious items and educational materials on Santa Barbara and the California missions.
Moreton Bay Fig Tree Chapala St. at U.S. Hwy. 101 The Moreton Bay Fig Tree is always open, and there is no admission fee. The Moreton Bay Fig Tree was planted on July 4, 1876, by a young girl who had been given the seedling by a sailor fresh off the boat from Australia. A year later, when the girl moved away, she gave the little tree to a friend, who transplanted it to its current location. In 1961 the Parks Department measured the tree and announced that more than 16,000 people could stand in the shade beneath the 21,000 square feet covered by its outstretched branches.
Old Spanish Days Carriage Museum 129 Castillo St. (805) 962-2353 Mon-Fri 9 AM to 3 PM Sun 2-4 Admission Free, but a donation to the nonprofit museum is appreciated. When Santa Barbara's historic carriages and stagecoaches are not making their annual appearance in the Old Spanish Days parade they're housed at this museum, which contains one of the most extensive collections of antique carriages in the country. You'll see a variety of horse drawn carriages, many owned by early Santa Barbara families and restored by the museum. There's also an impressive collection of saddles, a horse drawn fire truck, an antique hearse and an old wine cask cart.
Painted Cave About 12 miles northwest of downtown. painted Cave road goes north from Highway 154 A dirt path leads to the cave; watch for the sign on Painted Cave Road off E. Camino Cielo Road A peek into the culture of the Chumash Indians, Santa Barbara's first residents, has been preserved in this ancient 22 foot deep cave, which contains brightly colored pictographs from pre-Columbian times. Unfortunately, the other Stone Age artifacts found in the cave including arrowheads, axes and baskets were removed by vandals in the 1870s. The rock paintings remain intact, now protected by a locked metal screen. take a flashlight in order to see the pictures clearly, as it is dark in the cave.
Contemporary Arts Forum (Paseo Nuevo) 2nd floor, 805-966-5373), founded in 1976, hosts innovative modern art exhibits andperformances. Local, national, and international artists display their work in several shows throughout the year. Chase Palm Park is a favorite of visitors,who come for the beautiful palm trees, the ideal picnic setting, and theThe three-gallery space also offers classes, lectures, readings, and discussions.
Red Tile Walking Tour Downtown (805) 965-3021 Called the "Red Tile Tour" because of the red tiled roofs on Santa Barbara's oldest buildings, this 12 block, self-guided tour provides an insight into local history. Pick up a map at the Beachfront Information Center (1 Santa Barbara Street at Cabrillo Boulevard), then go to the Santa Barbara County Courthouse downtown to start the walking tour. The route passes some of the oldest adobes in Santa Barbara and also the Historical Museum, El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park, and the architecturally interesting Public Library, Main Post Office, Museum of Art and Lobero Theatre. It concludes back at the courthouse.Walk anytime, but check the hours of the historic parks and museums to make sure they'll be open.
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden 1212 Mission Canyon Rd. (805) 682-4726 Mon-Fri 9 AM to 4 PM Sat & Sun 9 AM to 5 PM Admission charged. Children younger than 5 are admitted free. The 65 acres that make up the Botanic Garden provide the perfect setting for the study of native California flora. More than 5 miles of trails stretch along the banks of upper Mission Creek and through the garden's meadows and canyons, which are planted with wildflowers, cacti, oak, sycamore trees and more than 1,000 species of rare and indigenous plants. There's an entire section is devoted to flora found on the Santa Barbara Channel Islands as well as a forest of redwood trees and display areas on the California desert and mountains.
Sea Center 211 Stearns Wharf (805) 962-0885 12 to 5 PM Mon-Fri from September through May 10 AM to 5 PM Mon-Fri June through Labor Day Admission charged. Children 2 and younger are admitted free Members of the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History also enjoy free admission, and museum memberships can be purchased at the Sea CenterOperated by the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, the Sea Center is the city's "window on the Santa Barbara Channel." Especially popular with children is the outside Touch Tank filled with saltwater creatures such as starfish and sea urchins just waiting to be examined close-up by curious eyes and hands. There are also exhibits with adult appeal, including life-size models of California gray whales, a diving marine birds exhibit and other displays on the Channel's ecology.
Stearns Wharf State St. and Cabrillo Blvd. When Santa Barbara lumberman John Stearns completed his namesake pier in 1872, he could hardly have imagined that more than 100 years later it would be the most visited landmark in town. For decades after its completion (it was then the longest deep water pier between Los Angeles and San Francisco) the wharf was used for loading and unloading freight and passengers, but in 1941 the Harbor Restaurant was built, marking the beginning of the wharf's transition into a tourist attraction. Today its seaside location, restaurants, shops and festive atmosphere draw visitors by the thousands. There is limited parking on the wharf itself but there are nearby public lots on Cabrillo Boulevard one half mile from the end of the pier.
Stow House 304 N. Los Carneros Rd. (805) 964-4407 Open for 30 minute guided tours 2 to 4 PM Sat & Sun except during January A small donation is requested. The Stow House, a restored Victorian home built in the 1870s, is the oldest frame home in Goleta and is filled with furniture, clothing, kitchenware and other items from the period. Special period decorations are added at Christmas. A blacksmith's shop and other small outbuildings have also been preserved. The grounds are lovely, with various exotic plantings (many labeled) and a wide expanse of shaded lawn that is often used for special events such as weddings, an annual Fourth of July celebration and other community events. Lake Los Carneros, a small artificial lake located east of the house, is a popular site for walking or birding.
Trussell-Winchester Adobe 412 W. Montecito St. (805) 966-1601 Open first Sunday of each month 2 and 4 pm Free, but donations are appreciated. In 1853 the sidewheel steamer Winfield Scott sank off Anacapa Island. Her captain, Horatio Trussell, salvaged a ridge pole from her mast as well as other useful timber and brass and used the objects along with adobe bricks in the construction of this home, built in 1854.
Whale Watching Whale watching in the Santa Barbara Channel is one of the most popular family recreational activities in town. Several local companies offer trips from December to April, when California gray whales migrate along the coast.
Andree Clark Bird Refuge 1400 E. Cabrillo Blvd. Free. This peaceful lagoon and garden sits north of East Beach. Bike trails and footpaths, marked by signs identifying native and migratory birds, skirt the lagoon.
East Beach 1118 Cabrillo Blvd 805/965-0509 The wide band of sand at the east end of Cabrillo Boulevard has sand volleyball courts, summertime lifeguard and sports competitions, and arts and crafts shows on Sunday and holidays. Showers (bring your own towels), lockers, and beach rentals and even a weight room are provided at the Cabrillo Pavilion Bathhouse. Next to the boathouse, there's an elaborate jungle-gym play area for children.
South Coast Railroad Museum 300 N. Los Carneros Rd. (805) 964-3540 1 - 4 PM Wed - Sunday. Admission is by donation. The Old Goleta Depot, built in 1901, has been restored on this site, adjacent to the Stow House. The museum is very small, but includes railroad memorabilia, photos and a 300 foot model railroad. Films are shown in the theater room. You can send a telegram or climb aboard the real caboose displayed on tracks outside. A display loved by children is the miniature train that circles the depot and offers rides Wednesday and Friday 2- 3:30 and Saturday and Sunday 1:15 - 3:45. A small museum shop sells gifts and educational materials with a railroad theme.
Sightseeing Tours
Personal Tours Ltd. (805) 685-0552 well established Santa Barbara company that offers in depth public and private tours Three-hour public tours are offered Saturday and Sunday, June through October. Call for rates. Limited to 14 passengers in an air-conditioned van, the tour combines a look at Santa Barbara's history, architecture, gardens, tourist attractions and waterfront and Local specialty tours include a wine tasting tour to the Santa Ynez Valley, a Montecito estates and gardens tour, a Santa Barbara gardens tour, a Santa Barbara fine arts tour and a waterfront wine tasting and dinner tour that ends with a gourmet meal at the Wine Cask restaurant. All tours require reservations in advance.
Santa Barbara Trolley Company 120 State St. (805) 965-0353 The trolley operates seven days a week, with tours departing from Stearns Wharf at 10 and 11:30 AM and 1, 2:30 and 4 PM. Call for rates The 30-passenger Santa Barbara Trolley takes a 90-minute narrated tour of the city, with a 15-minute stop at Mission Santa Barbara This is the only scheduled stop, but there are five tours daily, and you can get off and explore on your own anytime you want, then get back aboard when another trolley comes by.
The Osprey Cachuma Lake Recreation Area, Santa Barbara County Park Department (Star Route, Santa Barbara 93105 805/688-4658 Eagle and wildlife watching excursions take place on the Osprey, a 48-ft cruiser that cruises on Cachuma Lake, a 20-minute drive from Solvang and a 40-minute drive from Santa Barbara. Call for further information.
Santa Barbara Events: Santa Barbara Travel Guide, Discount & Cheap Santa Barbara Travel & Tourism, Free Santa Barbara Travel Guide Online
Most major hotels present entertainment nightly during the summer season and on weekends all year. State Street has a good jazz scene. Santa Barbara supports a professional symphony and a chamber orchestra. The proximity to the University of California at Santa Barbara assures an endless stream of visiting artists and performers. To see what's scheduled around town pick up a copy of the free weekly Santa Barbara Independent newspaper.
Harbor Parade of Lights A lovely sight as boats decorated with holiday lights cruise around Stearn's Wharf and the Harbor.
First Night Santa Barbara December 31 (805) 892-2250 First Night Santa Barbara will take place on December 31st from 12 noon to 12 midnight. In the afternoon, children will be treated to child friendly activities that embrace arts and crafts, music and theater. In addition to the children's program, local cultural centers will offer special admission to First Night revelers throughout the day. At dusk, Santa Barbara will transform into a spectacle of light and color, revealing outdoor concerts, viewings of specially commissioned art installations, gallery tours, musical programs, street corner musicians, staged theater productions, multimedia displays, dances, street performers and a spectacular midnight fireworks display. Admission to all events is granted to visitors displaying a commemorative First Night Santa Barbara button. First Night event held in cities across the country and world. The theme is "The Santa Barbara Family" and the city-wide events emphasize the arts, culture, and entertainment; beginning at 1pm and ending at midnight with a fireworks show.
Hanggliding and Paragliding Festival Jan 1 (805) 965-3733 Fly-in at Elings Park in Santa Barbara from 11am to dusk. Festival will include traditional favorites of hang gliders flying from the mountains, paragliding and hang gliding spot landings, and other contests. Also may be featuring kites, hot air balloons, and gliders, plus music and lots of fun.
Orchid Fair Late March Held at the Santa Barbara Orchid Estate (off Patterson in Goleta). More than 50 growers from around the world participate. Highlights include demonstrations of orchid care and culture and a large area of beautiful flower arrangements. Items for sale include corsages, plants, supplies, pins and posters.
Whale Festival March This March festival in honor of the whale includes a Street Faire, storytelling, whale watching and diving excursions, and arts and crafts. Get the facts from "official whale information stations".
International Film Festival March Drawing celebrities, press, film buffs, and regular folks to town every March, the SBIFF showcases American and international independent films. At their site you can find a schedule of films and competitions, seminars and symposiums, lists of winners from years past, and other events sponsored by SBIFF.
Botanical Garden's Easter Egg Hunt April Similar to the Easter egg hunt at the White House, children bring baskets and hunt for eggs. Refreshments are served.
Jewish Festival April At Oak Park in April, there's entertainment throughout the day celebrating Jewish culture and traditions. Israeli dancing, klezmer bands, storytelling, arts, crafts, and food.
Bike Week May The Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition coordinates events. There is a bike Expo, Bike to Work Day, races, tours, and school activities.
Botanical Garden Spring Plant Sale Native plants--"a great selection of Santa Barbara native cultivars, including verbena, iris, and heuchera"--are for sale, along with an assortment of used books from the Botanical Garden's Library.
Earth Day Earth Day was born in Santa Barbara--first celebrated there in 1970--in response to the massive oil spill of 1969. Thirty plus years later, it's a major event
I Madonnari Late May Come celebrate the arts and help the Children's Creative Project paint the streets Italian Style. The old Mission Santa Barbara will be transformed into the color-splashed site of Santa Barbara's 14th I Madonnari Italian Street Painting Festival. Engage your senses with live music and an authentic Italian market. Enjoy a fabulous array of Italian cuisine and specialty items.
Big Dog Parade & Block Party June State Street goes to the dogs!
Lompoc Flower Festival June 49th Annual Lompoc Valley Flower Festival "A New Beginning" Featuring a parade at 10am Saturday with bands, equestrian units, drill teams, clowns, and floats made of flowers and other organic materials grown in the valley. Additional highlights include a carnival, commercial center, self guided tours of the flower fields, and over 30 food booths run by local non-profit agencies. Admission to the event and stage performances are free. For further information call the Festival Office at (805) 735-8511.
National Horse Show July 2001 One of the nation's top equestrian events. Takes place at the Earl Warren Showgrounds.
County Fair July Held in Santa Maria, the July Fair focuses on local agriculture, youth programs, and local community efforts.
French Festival Mid-July. Bastille Day weekend, a celebration of French culture at Oak Park. Food, music, entertainment--c'est magnifique!
Clown Theatre Institute end of July-end of August At the Lobero Theatre from the end of July through the end of August, a four-week intensive course in creating and performing theatre, including dance, mime, and movement.
Mariachi Festival August Takes place at the County Bowl and benefits K-12 educational programs throughout Santa Barbara.
Renaissance Faire and Midsummer Market August For two weekends in mid-August, 16th century life is re-created in Oak Park.
International Jazz Festival & World Music Beach Party September 2001 In September, three days of jazz performed at East Beach by world-renowned musicians. For further information call (805) 966-3000.
Celtic Arts and Music Festival October 2001 Celebrate Celtic music, arts and crafts at the Earl Warren Showground at the end of October.
Celebration of Harvest October Sponsored by the Santa Barbara County Vintners Association in October. Silent auction, live music, food, and wine.
Harvest Moon Festival Mid-November, 2001 Sponsored by the Santa Barbara County Dance Society. Call (805) 893-3535.
Artwalk The annual fundraiser to benefit the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History's Annual Artwalk is an exciting weekend of art and music, with both indoor and outdoor shows. Saturday 9am-5pm and Sunday 9am-4pm. For additional information call (805) 682-4711 x344.
National Amateur Horse Show November Where else but at the Earl Warren Showgrounds. An important November training show for future Olympian equestrians.
Santa Barbara Facts: Santa Barbara Travel Guide, Discount & Cheap Santa Barbara Travel & Tourism, Free Santa Barbara Travel Guide Online
Population: 90,000 The greater area of Santa Barbara County numbers 357,608.
Elevation: 50 feet
Time Zone: Pacific Time (Three hours behind Eastern Standard time: when it is 12:00 noon in New York City; it is 9:00am in Santa Barbara) Daylight saving time observed April-October.
Location: 90 miles north of Los Angeles: 330 miles south of San Francisco.Substantially reduced fees at many tourist attractions are available for children, students, and senior citizens.
Average Temperatures (in Fahrenheit):
High
Low
January - March
66
43
April - June
72
48
July - September
76
57
October - December
74
43
Located on the coast of California, Santa Barbara County's climate is mild and sunny all year, with an average daytime temperature between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit (16 and 21 degrees Celsius). Summers in Santa Barbara are dry and warm. The rainy season begins in late fall and ends in early spring. The coastal areas of Santa Barbara are usually cooler than the inland regions by as much as 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
Public Holidays: Jan. 1 New Year's Day January ( 3rd Monday) Martin Luther King Jr's birthday February 12 Lincoln's Birthday February (3rd Monday) Washington's Birthday May (Last Monday) Memorial Day July 4 Independence Day September (1st Monday) Labor Day September 9 Admission Day November 11 Veterans' Day November (4th Thursday) Thanksgiving Day December 25 Christmas Day
What to pack: When packing for a California vacation, prepare for changes in temperature. Take along sweaters, jackets, and clothes for layering as the best way to cope with temperature variations. Include shorts or cool cottons. Always tuck in a bathing suit. Casual dressing is a hallmark of the California lifestyle, and this is true of Santa Barbara. However, you will find that patrons of many restaurants will interpret this as "chic" casual and will be fashionably, though casually, dressed. Santa Barbara is a coastal town and can be chilly at any time of the year, especially in summer, when the fog creeps in from time to time.
Business Hours: Most banks are open from 10 to 4 Monday through Friday. Many are open for several hours on Saturday. Most businesses in Santa Barbara are open Monday through Saturday, from 9 or 10 am to 6 or 9 pm. Many others, including shopping centers, are also open Sunday from noon - 5 or later. Most museums in Santa Barbara are open Tuesday - Sunday. A few are also open on Monday. Major attractions are open daily.
Emergencies: Ambulance ( 911) Fire ( 911) Police ( 911) Hospital Emergency Rooms: Cottage Hospital (Pueblo St. at Bath St., Santa Barbara, 805/682-7111; 805/569-7210 for emergency).
Mail: 1st class letters (under one ounce) sent within the United States cost 33 cents; postcards are 20 cents. A one ounce letter to Canada takes a 48 cent stamp and a postcard 45 cents; for Mexico, you'll need a 40 cent stamp for a half ounce letter and 40 cents for a postcard. Airmail letters (under a half ounce) to other overseas destinations cost 60 cents, and postcards are 55 cents. For 60 cents, you can also buy an aerogram -- a pre-stamped sheet of lightweight blue paper that folds into its own envelope.
ATMs: are readily available throughout California.
Electricity: The U.S. electrical standard is 110 volts/60 cycles AC. Foreign visitors traveling with dual voltage appliances will not need a converter, but they will need a plug adapter. The standard U.S. electrical outlet takes a plug of two flat pins set parallel to one another.
How to Travel to Santa Barbara:
By Air: Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (500 Fowler Rd., 805/683-4011), 8 miles from downtown, serves the Santa Barbara region. Flights from outside the United States involve a change of planes, often in Los Angeles or San Francisco. Flying time is roughly five hours from New York and four hours from Chicago.
By Bus: The Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District ( 805/683-3702) Bus 11 runs from the airport to the downtown transit center. Greyhound ( 800/231-2222) provides service to Santa Barbara from points within California, the U.S., and Canada.
By Car: U.S. 101 and Highway 1 are the main routes to Santa Barbara from Los Angeles and San Francisco.
By Train: Amtrak ( 800/872-7245) Coast Starlight runs between Los Angeles, Oakland, and Seattle, and stops in Santa Barbara. Several trains operate daily between Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, and San Diego. Amtrak's local number in Santa Barbara is 805/963-1015.
Consider flying into LA - where you would board the Coast Starlight train. This is a first-class experience, and a great way to meet folks. After clearing the LA suburbs, the train travels along the coast line (much closer than Hwy. 1) for several hours. You'll actually look down on gulls and water - it's like being on a ship. If you opt for this, even if only for a few hours, be sure to get a compartment that will gain you entrance to the first-class observation car (where coffee, pastry and fruit are served, first thing), and your meals in the dining car will be included. The complete trip (two days/one night) would take you all the way up to Seattle, thru some gorgeous mountain scenery, and include two sunsets, and complimentary wine and champagne tastings each evening. But even if you don't take the train all the way north, do consider hopping aboard for that first.
Customs: (for passengers arriving from other countries).For customs information, contact the U.S. Customs Service (inquiries, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20229, 202/927-6724
Travel within the City of Santa Barbara: Take a vacation from your car and explore Santa Barbara's downtown and waterfront areas the most relaxing way, on foot. Visitors and locals alike also enjoy taking advantage of convenient bike rentals and scenic bike paths. Additional transportation options include taxi and local bus service.
By Bus: Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District ( 805/683-3702 or 805/963-3364) provides local service. The State Street and Waterfront shuttles cover their respective sections of Santa Barbara during the day every 10-15 minutes from 10:15am-6pm.
Cable Car: A motorized San Francisco style cable car operated by Santa Barbara Trolley Co. ( 805/965-0353) makes 90 minute runs from 10 am- 4 pm past major hotels, shopping areas, and attractions. Get off when you wish to, and pick up another trolley when you're ready to move on. The trolley departs from and returns to Stearns Wharf. The fare is currently $9.
By Car: You can buy detailed maps in bookstores and gas stations and at some grocery and drug stores.
Road Conditions: The roads in and around Santa Barbara are well maintained. Some congestion occurs on U.S. 101 during the morning (7-9) and evening (4-7) commuting hours. To find out more details on local conditions, call Caltrans ( 800/427-7623).
Rules of the Road: Seat belts are required at all times. Tickets can be given for failing to comply. Small children must be in child safety seats. Unless otherwise indicated, right turns are allowed on red lights after you've come to a full stop, and left turns onto adjoining one-way streets are allowed on red lights after you've come to a full stop. Drivers found to have a blood alcohol level higher than 0.08 are subject to arrest.
Santa Barbara Kids Activities: Santa Barbara Travel Guide, Discount & Cheap Santa Barbara Travel & Tourism, Free Santa Barbara Travel Guide Online
Santa Barbara Museum of Art 1130 State Street Santa Barbara CA, 93101 805-963-4364 Fax: 805-966-6840 Tues-Sat 11:00am-5:00pm, Fri 11:00am-9:00pm, Sun 12:00pm-5:00pm The Santa Barbara Museum of Art, one of southern California's finest art museums, features nationally recognized collections and special exhibitions of international importance. Highlights of the museum's remarkable permanent collection include antiquities; 19th century French, British, and American art; 20th century and contemporary European, North American and Latin American art; Asian art; photography, and works on paper. Recent special exhibitions of significance include Nam June Paik: Video Art Pioneer, Copy Work: The Dictionary Pages and Other Diversions by Gilles Barbier, and The Jefferson Suites: An Audio-Visual Installation by Carrie Mae Weems. Museum visitors will also enjoy the interactive children's gallery, the café and the Museum Store.
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden 1212 Mission Canyon Rd. (805) 682-4726 Mon-Fri 9 - 4 Sat; Sun 9 - 5 Admission charged. Children younger than 5 are admitted free. The 65 acres that make up the Botanic Garden provide a superb setting for the study of native California flora. More than 5 miles of trails meander along the banks of upper Mission Creek and through the garden's meadows and canyons, which are planted with wildflowers, cacti, oak, sycamore trees and more than 1,000 species of rare and indigenous plants. There's an entire section is devoted to flora found on the Santa Barbara Channel Islands as well as a forest of redwood trees and display areas on the California desert and mountains.
Santa Barbara Zoological Gardens 805-962-5339 500 Ninos Drive Santa Barbara CA, 93103 Open every day (except Thanksgiving and Christmas) from 10 AM to 5 PM, with ticket sales ending at 4 PM. M-Sun 10:00am-5:00pm Admission charged. A year's family membership of $45 provides a quarterly newsletter, discounts on education programs and the Gift Shop and free admission to dozens of other zoos across the country (including the Los Angeles Zoo). Over the years the zoo has added an impressive number of new animals and exhibits, and it continues to be dedicated to preserving a quality environment for both visitors and the zoo's permanent residents. More than 700 animals currently reside at the zoo, which hosts more than a half-million visitors every year.
Mission Santa Barbara 2201 Laguna St. (805) 682-4713 Open seven days a week 9 - 5 Admission charged. Known as the "Queen of the Missions" for its beauty and hilltop setting, Mission Santa Barbara was the 10th of California's 21 missions founded by Franciscan friars and is the only one that has been continuously occupied by the Franciscan order since its founding. It was dedicated in 1820. The second bell tower was added more than a decade later.Reportedly inspired by a drawing of a church designed by the Roman architect M. Vitruvius Polion in the first century B.C., Mission Santa Barbara has strongly influenced the architectural style of the city, with its thick adobe walls, tiled roof and floors, and open courtyards. Inside, rooms are preserved in the style of the 1700s, with artifacts and displays relating to early mission life. The self-guided tour includes eight rooms, the cloister gardens, the chapel, the cemetery and the beautiful Moorish fountain and courtyard. A gift shop near the entrance sells religious items and educational materials on Santa Barbara and the California missions.
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History 2559 Puesta Del Sol Road Santa Barbara CA, 93105 805-682-4711 Mon-Sat 9:00-5:00; Sun 10:00-5:00 Admission charged Admission is free to all on the first Sunday of each month. There is a nominal charge in addition to the museum admission fee for planetarium shows.The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History is thought by many to be one of the most beautiful small museums in the country. Founded in 1916 on the banks of Mission Creek, the low-roofed, Spanish-style structure includes several exhibit halls dedicated to the study of California and Santa Barbara County natural history.
Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum 705 McClelland, 805-928-8414) Santa Maria, CA, 93454 The newly renovated museum is ideal for all ages. Through a series of interactive art and science exhibits, visitors can explore and experiment freely, engaging all their senses in a highly enjoyable learning process.
Museum of Flight (3015 Airpark Dr., 805-922-8758) Santa Maria, CA, 93454 The museum focuses on the area's place in aviation history. Visitors can see antique and model planes, and real aircraft used in World War II.
South Coast Railroad Museum 300 N. Los Carneros Rd. (805) 964-3540 1 - 4 PM Wed - Sunday. Admission is by donation. The Old Goleta Depot, built in 1901, has been restored on this site, adjacent to the Stow House. The museum is very small, but includes railroad memorabilia, photos and a 300 foot model railroad. Movies are shown in the theater room. You can send a telegram or climb aboard the real caboose displayed on tracks outside. Loved by children, a miniature train circles the depot and offers rides Wednesday and Friday 2- 3:30 and Saturday and Sunday 1:15 - 3:45. A small museum shop sells gifts and educational materials with a railroad theme.
Santa Maria Valley Historic Museum 616 S. Broadway 805-922-3130 Exhibits trace area civilization fromthe Chumash Indian period to pioneerdays.
Sea Center 805-963-1067 The Andree Clark Bird Refuge (1400 E. Cabrillo Blvd.) is home to water andland loving birds of all kinds. Especially interesting are the rare species of gracklesand wood ducks. Observation platforms and educational signs enhance the bird watching.A walkway and bike path allow exploration. A drive through the exclusive residentialneighborhood of Hope Ranch (west of the city) along palm lined Las Palmas Drivepasses secluded luxurious homes, miles of bridle paths, a private country cluband golf course, and Laguna Blanca, its private lake.
East Beach 1118 Cabrillo Blvd 805/965-0509 The wide band of sand at the east end of Cabrillo Boulevard is a great spot to visit! Sand volleyball courts, summertime lifeguard and sports competitions, and arts and crafts shows on Sunday and holidays make for a lively experience. Showers (bring your own towels), lockers, and beach rentals and even a weight room are provided at the Cabrillo Pavilion Bathhouse Next to the boathouse, there's an elaborate jungle-gym play area for children.
