Santa
Barbara is a beautiful city on the coast of Southern California
along Highway 101 (about 90 miles north of Los Angeles), located
on a narrow plain between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific
Ocean. The city is a collage of hills, seas, island views, red
tiled roofs, trees and flowers.Tourists flock to the area, and
it's popular with weekenders from the metropolitan Los Angeles
who are looking for a short escape from their city. Santa Barbara's
Spanish heritage is easily evident as one reads the street signs.
You will see such names as Figueroa, Canon Perdido, Milpas, Valerio,
Chapala, Cabrillo, and others. Santa Barbara's downtown State
Street area has had a rebirth in recent years with a new shopping
mall, tiled sidewalks, planters with flowers, and other civic
improvements. There is much for the visitor to see and do here.
Santa Barbara is home to the 10th mission of the original 21 built in California, a structure so beautiful it is often called "The Queen of the Missions." The original mission, which dates back to 1786, was damaged by major earthquakes in 1812 and 1925, and has been rebuilt twice. It is a beautiful mission with an Archive Library and a Sacred Garden. It is a must see.
If you like beaches, Santa Barbara has them stretching
from Montecito to Goleta Park Beach and the University of California.
There is a neat little harbor, and one can go whale watching (during
the Gray whale migration season), deep sea fishing, rent small
boats, or take a short ride on a tour boat. Surfing is popular
at nearby beaches.
State Street is always of interest to visitors.
It has many shops, cafes (including two "cyber" cafes),
restaurants, book stores, a Museum of Art, and a beautiful new
mall called Paseo Nuevo.
Santa Barbara is unique in that it has many
varied areas. To the north is the hillside Riviera area and Mission
Canyon with nice hiking trails and foothill areas with parks for
picnicking. To the south is the coastline with the beaches. Montecito
is to the east. Goleta, the University of California, and the
Santa Barbara Airport are west of the city. Part of the very large
Los Padres National Forest is in Santa Barbara County with hiking,
camping and picnicking areas. At one moment you can be at the
beach, and within a half hour in the foothills with cool creeks
and botanic gardens.
To See and Do in Santa Barbara
If you visit Santa Barbara you'll enjoy
it -- its beauty, uniqueness and attractions will stir you to
return. It is one of the nicest areas of the California coast.
Related Business Links:
Condor:
Santa Barbara Whale Watching Cruises
Downtown Organization of Santa Barbara
Guide to City of Santa Barbara
Places to Stay in Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara Better Business Bureau
Santa
Barbara Chamber of Commerce
Santa Barbara County: Visitors Information
Santa Barbara Hotels and Travel Guide
Santa Barbara News Press Real Estate Ads
The Insiders Guide to Santa Barbara Shopping
Welcome to Santa Barbara, California
Welcome to Santa Barbara, USA!
