This inviting coastal community has been an escape for Los Angeles residents for over a century. Even before the name Hollywood became forever attached to the film industry, the city was a recognized production center of silent movies. Its varied human history dates back to ten-thousand year old native villages, and the community has endured two major earth tremors in modern times. Santa Barbara, CA today has become a popular and exciting place to visit.
After the devastation of the 1925 temblor, the town was rebuilt in a style that has a distinctive Spanish flair, epitomized by the County Courthouse building. Although linked by the ubiquitous freeways of Southern California to the Los Angeles metropolis, that prevailing architectural culture has not completely overtaken the city, which still has a distinctive character that is immediately recognizable.
The city makes an excellent base to explore and rest prior to heading out for a visit to the Santa Ynez Valley and its famous wineries, or before heading up the coast to see Hearst Castle, still elegantly preserved in its unique splendor. The area has been labeled the American Riviera for its Mediterranean seasons, and is a terminal for voyages to the Channel Islands National Park, home to rare wildlife.
One of the better-known landmarks in town is Stearns Wharf, which juts into the sea where State Street ends. Originally erected in the 1870s, the wharf has survived several disasters, and today is home to shops, restaurants, the Natural History Sea Center, and other attractions. Visitors come for the fine dining, but also enjoy seeing the churning surf on one side framed by mountains on the other.
Nature lovers will also enjoy the Botanic Garden, a peaceful oasis filled with a wide variety of both native plants and exotic specimens. Although tours are readily available, visitors are always encouraged to explore the well-maintained pathways featuring the constantly changing displays of vegetation on their own. The site has been named a County Historical Landmark.
History buffs will appreciate the Old Mission, founded in 1786 by a Franciscan Friar. Called the Queen of the Mission Stations, it was the tenth one begun by the Franciscans, and was originally completed by native American artisans. While there has been extensive restoration to repair earthquake damage, the newly reinforced facade is a good representation of its heyday.
The Casa de la Guerra is another significant historical high point. It was used as a sort of community center, and today forms a portion of the El Pasea, a complex modeled on a traditional Spanish street. The original city fortress, also called a Presidio, became irrelevant after the Americans assumed control in 1846, but some of the original rooms and soldier quarters still stand.
Within a relatively short driving distance is the Chumash Painted Cave Historic Park, the transplanted Danish community of Solvang, and the craggy central coastline. There are numerous award-winning restaurants, and a wide range of hotels and motels for nearly any taste. Whether visiting for a weekend or in town for an extended stay, there is always something to see.
After the devastation of the 1925 temblor, the town was rebuilt in a style that has a distinctive Spanish flair, epitomized by the County Courthouse building. Although linked by the ubiquitous freeways of Southern California to the Los Angeles metropolis, that prevailing architectural culture has not completely overtaken the city, which still has a distinctive character that is immediately recognizable.
The city makes an excellent base to explore and rest prior to heading out for a visit to the Santa Ynez Valley and its famous wineries, or before heading up the coast to see Hearst Castle, still elegantly preserved in its unique splendor. The area has been labeled the American Riviera for its Mediterranean seasons, and is a terminal for voyages to the Channel Islands National Park, home to rare wildlife.
One of the better-known landmarks in town is Stearns Wharf, which juts into the sea where State Street ends. Originally erected in the 1870s, the wharf has survived several disasters, and today is home to shops, restaurants, the Natural History Sea Center, and other attractions. Visitors come for the fine dining, but also enjoy seeing the churning surf on one side framed by mountains on the other.
Nature lovers will also enjoy the Botanic Garden, a peaceful oasis filled with a wide variety of both native plants and exotic specimens. Although tours are readily available, visitors are always encouraged to explore the well-maintained pathways featuring the constantly changing displays of vegetation on their own. The site has been named a County Historical Landmark.
History buffs will appreciate the Old Mission, founded in 1786 by a Franciscan Friar. Called the Queen of the Mission Stations, it was the tenth one begun by the Franciscans, and was originally completed by native American artisans. While there has been extensive restoration to repair earthquake damage, the newly reinforced facade is a good representation of its heyday.
The Casa de la Guerra is another significant historical high point. It was used as a sort of community center, and today forms a portion of the El Pasea, a complex modeled on a traditional Spanish street. The original city fortress, also called a Presidio, became irrelevant after the Americans assumed control in 1846, but some of the original rooms and soldier quarters still stand.
Within a relatively short driving distance is the Chumash Painted Cave Historic Park, the transplanted Danish community of Solvang, and the craggy central coastline. There are numerous award-winning restaurants, and a wide range of hotels and motels for nearly any taste. Whether visiting for a weekend or in town for an extended stay, there is always something to see.
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