Santa Barbara Travel Forum

Well, I'm still new to VT and trying to figure out the website, so sorry if this is getting asked in the wrong spot.

I'm going on an unexpected road trip with my brother and just found out he has to work a couple days during the road trip...so I'm going to be in SB I think for two days (Sept 11t-12). The brother is going to have my car so besides shopping what is there to do?

Any cool museums or things to see of interest I can occupy my time with? I don't have a lot of time to do research, so I thought I'd just ask!

You have posted in the right place! We enjoyed the Santa Barbara Mission. It's worth visiting. Just one idea. I'm sure others will have more!

Karen

Try the Red Tile Walking Tour. Check out

http://www.santabarbaracarfree.org/pdf-files/redtile.pdf

This is a free, self-guided tour that takes you to many historical landmarks. You may start at the SB County Courthouse; its tower is open to the public. This where you get to see a bird's eye view of the city. The Santa Barbara Museum of Art has a good permanent collection and exhibits; don't miss it.

Note that there is a shuttle bus that connects Downtown SB and Stearns Wharf. Fare the last time I was there is only 25 cents.

There's a botanical garden near the Mission that you can walk to from the Mission.

AWESOME! Thanks so much for repsonding, I'll probably do this!

The beachfront along Cabrillo Boulevard is a great place for a lazy, sunny afternoon. The palms and towering palm trees of East Beach fringe a sandy beach all the way to Stearns Wharf. At the end of the wharf there are shops and restaurants, plus great views of the city against a backdrop of the Santa Ynez Mountains.

Near East Beach, you can stroll along the lagoon at the Andree Clark Bird Refuge, or stop at the local zoo.

The Botanical Gardens is great. It just up the hill past the Mission which is also good. There is also a nice natural history museum around the corner for the mission.

The art musuem downtown is great and right in the walking area near where the pedestrian streets are.

Hiking is great anywhere. Just ask for trails when you get there. Also, there are a lot of cultural events such as live theater and musical events.

Try the many varied restaurants. If you like good home-made inexpensive comfort food, try the Mesa Cafe.

For more historical things, check out the presidio, the history museum, and the adobes downtown.

There is always beach things as well such as the tourist pier, the breakwater (good for photos of the mountains), and playing vollyball on the beach where you can join in any game.

At night, there are the clubs on lower State Street.