Santa Barbara Travel Forum

WHAT WOULD YOU SUGGEST THAT A PERSON SHOULD SEE TO EXPERIENCE SANTA BARBARA AND ITS HISTORY? WE WERE THERE YEARS AGO AND ALL I CAN REMEMBER ABOUT IT IS THAT IT WAS ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL AND EXPENSIVE! WE ARE GOING TO BE THERE IN APRIL 2008. THANKS.

A visit to the Mission is very interesting, and the Town Hall is a must-see. I can't remember if the guided tour is held at 11 a.m. or 1 p.m., but make sure to go up to the roof and see the 360 view of Santa Barbara. If it's a clear day you can see right out to the islands. Both these places embody the history of the area. The guide in the TH was very knowledgeable; we kept him talking way beyond the tour time!

A trolley 25c(?) starts at the pier and goes up the main street for a couple of miles, and there is a trolley tour of SB/Montecito that is entertaining and saves driving around.

I'm sure you remember all the shops and galleries (my partner took off to the casino in the Chumash area while I browsed!). A drive up into the mountains gives you a great view of the area and is almost as good as a roller-coaster ride. I'd recommend an SUV for some of those roads!

Personally, I loved wondering the beach pathway and the pier to watch the dolphins and the rowers.

As a memento, I found a book full of great photograph by Bill Zeldis in a shop on the pier by the marina. There is a great seafood restaurant there, sorry can't remember the name, but you can sit upstairs outside and view the marina and the town itself. I'm hoping to go back next year for a fourth visit.

Check out all the VT tips on Santa Barbara with the "Search" box. There is a lot to see and do. April is a great month in Santa Barbara, weather wise.

Are you into wine? There are good wineries about an hour away, check out:

http://www.notnapa.com/

Also the zoo is one of the prettiest due to location/scenery.

Have dinner at the Bacara Resort - gorgeous views of the water from atop a bluff.

Definitely the Mission.

Don't miss Lotusland- it's unbelievable!!! I just Googled the following info (interspersed with my comments) since I'd love to let you know about this hidden treasure:

This 37-acre estate features a butterfly garden, a Japanese garden, a cactus garden and much more. A guide will take you on a 2hr tour & interpret the garden and its really interesting history. Tours start at 10am & 1:30pm Wednesday through Saturday. Because Lotusland is a public garden operating in a private, residential neighborhood, you need reservations as they have to keep visitors at a minimum so their garden doesn't generate a lot of street traffic. You can call their Visitor Services office: 805-969-9990 9 AM and 5 PM Monday through Friday, and 9 AM to 1 PM Saturday. Or write to Lotusland 695 Ashley Rd. Santa Barbara CA USA 93108.

Another hidden treasure, in Carpinteria (right off Carpinteria Ave.), 12 miles from Santa Barbara, is a spot chosen by the seals to give birth & bond with their new babies. You can sit (about 4 seats) at the level top of the rocks & watch them down below on the beach & in the water. It's hard finding it so it would be a good idea to call 1 805 968-1033.

Other interesting places: the Mission established in 1786; &, The Chumash Painted Cave which features cave paintings by the Chumash Native Americans that date back to the 1600s.

I hope this isn't overwhelming.
Enjoy!
Marilyn