This coastal city has been a getaway for Los Angeles residents for over one hundred years. Before the name Hollywood became indelibly associated with the movie industry, it was a center of silent film production. Its rich human history began over ten thousand years ago with native settlements, and it has survived at least two serious earthquakes. Today Santa Barbara, CA is an exciting and popular destination for visitors.
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.
It is also a good place to stop and explore before heading up the central coast to the wineries in the Santa Ynez region, as well as legendary Hearst Castle, which has been preserved in an elegant time warp. The region has been dubbed the American Riviera because of the balmy seaside climate. Many visitors book an excursion to the Channel Islands, a protected group of offshore ocean mountaintops hosting unique 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.
Lovers of nature will not want to miss seeing the Botanic Garden, a world-class display of both exotic and native vegetation. While tours are readily available, visitors can enjoy this oasis on their own, wandering the well-maintained pathways among specimens of plants unique in California. Portions of this garden are currently designated as a County Historical Landmark.
Fans of history will not want to miss seeing the Old Mission, first established by Franciscans in 1786. It was the tenth one in a series, and the beautiful interior was crafted by Native American artists. Although there has been widespread restoration work to repair earlier earthquake destruction, the well-reinforced facade provides an accurate representation of the building in its prime.
Other historic landmarks include the Casa de la Guerra, which was originally a community center for many purposes, and which today is part of the El Pasea complex, modeled after an original Spanish street. The original Presidio, or fortress, became less significant after the Americans arrived in 1846, but soldier quarters and some original rooms still exist, and are located in the downtown area.
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.
It is also a good place to stop and explore before heading up the central coast to the wineries in the Santa Ynez region, as well as legendary Hearst Castle, which has been preserved in an elegant time warp. The region has been dubbed the American Riviera because of the balmy seaside climate. Many visitors book an excursion to the Channel Islands, a protected group of offshore ocean mountaintops hosting unique 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.
Lovers of nature will not want to miss seeing the Botanic Garden, a world-class display of both exotic and native vegetation. While tours are readily available, visitors can enjoy this oasis on their own, wandering the well-maintained pathways among specimens of plants unique in California. Portions of this garden are currently designated as a County Historical Landmark.
Fans of history will not want to miss seeing the Old Mission, first established by Franciscans in 1786. It was the tenth one in a series, and the beautiful interior was crafted by Native American artists. Although there has been widespread restoration work to repair earlier earthquake destruction, the well-reinforced facade provides an accurate representation of the building in its prime.
Other historic landmarks include the Casa de la Guerra, which was originally a community center for many purposes, and which today is part of the El Pasea complex, modeled after an original Spanish street. The original Presidio, or fortress, became less significant after the Americans arrived in 1846, but soldier quarters and some original rooms still exist, and are located in the downtown area.
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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