For more than a century this city has been a getaway for residents of Los Angeles. Prior to the time when Hollywood and the film industry became synonymous, most silent movies were produced here. Native American settlements could be found here as early as ten thousand years ago, and the town has survived at least two major earthquakes in the past two hundred years. Santa Barbara, CA today is a thriving city that has become a popular destination.
The last major temblor occurred in 1925, after which the city was reconstructed with a intentionally Spanish flavor, which the County Courthouse building best illustrates. Even though it is connected by major freeways to the nearby Southern California megalopolis, it has not been overwhelmed by the typical architecture of that region, and still projects its own distinctive, recognizable style.
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.
Stearns Wharf is a signature landmark, jutting into the Pacific Ocean at the base of State Street. It has withstood the pounding waves in various incarnations since the 1870s, surviving several disasters. Today it features stores and restaurants, and is the location of the Natural History Sea Center. Visitors not only appreciate the fine dining, but also the incomparable coastal beauty.
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.
Fans of history appreciate seeing the Old Mission, originally founded by the Franciscans in 1786, and still referred to as the Queen Of the Mission Stations. It was the tenth in California, and the interiors were decorated by skill native American artists. Although there has been extensive restoration work completed due to earthquakes, the facade still looks very similar to the original.
Additional notable sights include the historical Casa de la Guerra, a kind of community center that was used for various purposes, and which is now a portion of the El Pasea, a neighborhood intentionally imitating a Spanish street. The original city Presidio, a military fortress, became tactically irrelevant after the arrival of Americans in 1846, but the original soldier quarters and a few rooms are still intact.
A short drive away is the ancient artwork in Chumash Painted Cave Historic Park, as well as the famously transplanted Danish town of Solvang. A number of fine restaurants provide a variety of dining experiences, and there is a wide selection of motels and hotels. There is always something interesting to see or do in this gateway to the Central Coast.
The last major temblor occurred in 1925, after which the city was reconstructed with a intentionally Spanish flavor, which the County Courthouse building best illustrates. Even though it is connected by major freeways to the nearby Southern California megalopolis, it has not been overwhelmed by the typical architecture of that region, and still projects its own distinctive, recognizable style.
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.
Stearns Wharf is a signature landmark, jutting into the Pacific Ocean at the base of State Street. It has withstood the pounding waves in various incarnations since the 1870s, surviving several disasters. Today it features stores and restaurants, and is the location of the Natural History Sea Center. Visitors not only appreciate the fine dining, but also the incomparable coastal beauty.
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.
Fans of history appreciate seeing the Old Mission, originally founded by the Franciscans in 1786, and still referred to as the Queen Of the Mission Stations. It was the tenth in California, and the interiors were decorated by skill native American artists. Although there has been extensive restoration work completed due to earthquakes, the facade still looks very similar to the original.
Additional notable sights include the historical Casa de la Guerra, a kind of community center that was used for various purposes, and which is now a portion of the El Pasea, a neighborhood intentionally imitating a Spanish street. The original city Presidio, a military fortress, became tactically irrelevant after the arrival of Americans in 1846, but the original soldier quarters and a few rooms are still intact.
A short drive away is the ancient artwork in Chumash Painted Cave Historic Park, as well as the famously transplanted Danish town of Solvang. A number of fine restaurants provide a variety of dining experiences, and there is a wide selection of motels and hotels. There is always something interesting to see or do in this gateway to the Central Coast.
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