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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, from shopping
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". |
At
one time a small, isolated military outpost, Santa Barbara has since
become a world-famous resort. For thousands of years, amidst the
protection of forbidding mountains and the Pacific ocean, the
Chumash Indians lived an easy, comfortable life. The sea and the
land around them contributed everything that was needed in order not
only to survive but to flourish. In 1542 the first Europeans
arrived. Juan Cabrillo, a Portuguese explorer, entered the Channel,
claimed the land for Spain, and left. The Chumashs' next encounter
with the Spanish came a century later when, on the eve of December
4, 1602,(the feast day of Santa Barbara) frigates under the command
of Sabastian Vizcaino, a map maker for the Duke of Monte Rey,
entered the Santa Barbara Channel, named the settlement, marked it
on his map, and also left.
In 1782, the Spaniards
returned for good. A group led by Governor Felipe de Neve, Captain
Jose Ortega, and Father Junipero Serra, permanently settled in the
area in order to establish a military presidio and mission and, in
the process, founded the city of Santa Barbara. In the process of
the Spaniards' teaching the native Americans to wear European
clothing, to eat meat instead of their healthful diet of fruit,
vegetables, nuts and fish, most the Chumash became ill and died. of
European diseases. The Spaniards governed the area until 1822, when
California became a Mexican territory. The United States took Santa
Barbara from Mexico 24 years later, in 1846. Thus was created a
melting pot of Chumash, Spanish, Mexican and North American
languages and cultures.
Up until the late
1800's the serene, peaceful community of Santa Barbara was over
looked by the rush of westward migrators. About that time word began
to reach the east coast that there was a place in California called
Santa Barbara which had attributes more valuable than gold or
silver. It possessed an ideal climate, hot and cold springs, and a
restful atmosphere. Many people began to converge on the little
mission with a desire to recuperate from the stresses of life. Santa
Barbara was touted as one of the most idyllic health spas to be
found anywhere, attracting visitors from around the U.S. and beyond.
Some came to relax and recharge and then left, others came and found
they did not want to leave. Many of those who remained had money to
invest, and the small, sleepy mission soon began showing signs of
growth. Modern hotels and cultural centers were created. Presidents,
kings and queens, the rich and the famous, all came from around the
globe to bask in the beauty and culture that was now Santa Barbara.
In 1910, before
Hollywood became the film capital of the world, Santa Barbara was
the center of the motion picture industry. The American Film Company
opened the Flying A Studio there. At that time and for several years
thereafter, the studio was the largest of its kind in the world. In
a ten year span over 1200 movies (mostly westerns) were made. Today,
many film celebrities own homes in Santa Barbara. For them it was
the perfect place to escape the glare of Hollywood, while at the
same time be less than two hours away from their work.
Santa Barbara's
architecture springs from the roots of its historic past. Splendid
old adobes with court yards named after historical figures and
Mediterranean style buildings found throughout the city, were
inspired by the Spanish residences of the early years. The museums
and cultural centers preserve much of the town's past. The Chumash
(now restored to health and reestablished as a native American
community), Hispanic, Mexican and North American influences are very
much a part of life in this peaceful sanctuary.
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Santa Barbara Museum of Art
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.
More info
Santa Barbara Harbor and Breakwater
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
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
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
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
The Andree Clark Bird Refuge (1400 E. Cabrillo Blvd.) is home to water
and land loving birds of all kinds. Especially interesting are the rare
species of grackles and wood ducks. Observation platforms and
educational signs enhance the bird watching. A walkway and bike path
allow exploration. A drive through the exclusive residential
neighborhood of Hope Ranch (west of the city) along palm lined Las
Palmas Drive passes secluded luxurious homes, miles of bridle paths, a
private country club and golf course, and Laguna Blanca, its private
lake.
Arlington Center for
the Performing Arts
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 County
Courthouse
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.
Moreton Bay Fig
Tree
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
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
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)
founded in 1976, hosts innovative modern art exhibits and performances.
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 the
The three-gallery space also offers classes, lectures, readings, and
discussions.
Red Tile Walking Tour
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
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.
Stearns Wharf
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
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
In 1853 the side-wheel 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
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
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
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. A small
museum shop is also here which gives a chance for visitors to buy gifts
and educational materials with a railroad theme.
Sightseeing Tours
Personal Tours Ltd.
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
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
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. |
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