Santa Barbara, CA Hotels

Santa Barbara, CA Rundown

If you take a trip to Santa Barbara, CA, chances are you will head right down State Street,which is this city's main boulevard. If you only had a day to spend there, you could park near this street and visit any number of museums, eateries, bars and shops without ever moving the car. If you are interested in the arts, Santa Barbara, CA, is one of the best places to go. Santa Barbara Contemporary Arts Forum isa nonprofit organization that has been dedicated to maintaining the integrity of contemporary art in Santa Barbara, CA, since 1976. They offer free exhibitions of high-quality art to the public, including both visual and performance art genres. Classical music enthusiasts should check out the Santa Barbara Symphony at the Arlington Theatre, which hosts major film premieres as well. For a rare treat, you can see the exotic and eclectic gardens of the late opera singer Madame Ganna Walska at her Santa Barbara, CA, estate named, ‘Lotusland’.

Santa Barbara, CA Top 10

Santa Barbara History

• Old Mission – Founded by the Franciscans during the 1700s and offers a glimpse into the past.
• El Presidio State Park – Spanish fort founded in 1781 when California was still a frontier.
• Santa Barbara Historical Society Museum – Original Santa Barbara and California historical treasures like the 1854 unique residence of a sea captain called the Winchester Adobe.
• Casa Del Herrero – House of the Blacksmith, with stunning 1925 Spanish revival architecture.
• County Courthouse – Built in 1929, this Spanish-Moorish structure is a highlight of any trip to the city.

Santa Barbara Art & Culture

• Santa Barbara Museum of Art – Works from all over the globe including Monet, Picasso, and Chagall.
• Museum of Natural History – Nice, well-organized museum of a mostly science history nature.
• State Street Ballet – A touring international professional ballet company.
• Maritime Museum – Featuring objects from Santa Barbara’s rich seafaring history, with temporary and permanent exhibits, including many interactive displays.
• Karpeles Manuscript Library and Museum – Handwritten letters and documents are preserved and displayed here.

Santa Barbara Shopping

• Stearns Wharf – Souvenir and marine-themed shops highlight this California landmark built in 1872.
• Red Tile District – A good place to find quaint shops, known for the red-tile roofs on some of its old buildings.
• Cabrillo Boulevard Sunday Arts & Crafts Show – An on-going art festival that was established in 1965,
• Farmer’s Market – Every Tuesday and Saturday, you can purchase homegrown local food items.
• Wine – Santa Barbara is situated near some of the most-renowned vineyards in California.

Gay & Lesbian Santa Barbara

• Gay & Lesbian Heritage Month – Early to mid-June recognition of Santa Barbara’s commitment to the GLBT culture.
• GLBT Pride Festival – An annual festival in mid-May.
• Gay Café – Be sure to look for this food and drink stall at local festivals and events throughout the year.
• Wildcat Lounge – Sunday Nights are the gayest at this mixed club.
• Padaro Beach – Beyond the rocks is probably the most gay, but there are other locales that are at least gay friendly or good for hanging out with friends.

Santa Barbara, CA Events

Santa Barbara Pub Crawls are especially fun for the party crowd that gathers on State Street every week. You pay one cover fee for six different establishments and enjoy the best clubs on the strip without waiting in line.

Fern Falls are only visible in the spring in Santa Barbara. Visitors claim that they are worth the wait and the exhilarating hike.

Cinco de Mayo in Santa Barbara, CA, is something to behold with the thousands of tourists gathered to celebrate this Mexican tradition. As you would expect, this festival offers live music, dancing, fabulous Mexican food and plenty of vendors in the town square.

The Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, CA, holds its Summer Festival in June and July, offering two months of stellar performances from various talented singers and instrumentalists in the classical music genre.

The annual Earth Day Festival hosted by the CourthouseofSanta Barbara, CA, features beach clean-ups, nature hikes and a unique solar-powered fair.

The Santa Barbara, CA. Vintners' Festival sells out every year, and this is no surprise considering all of the fabulous food, drink and entertainment that the guests enjoy during this event.

The Harbor & Seafood Festival in October is an eventmade just for seafood lovers in Santa Barbara, CA. Get your fill of delicious cuisine and the fresh catch of the day during this one-day festival.

The Summer Solstice Parade takes place on the Saturday before the Summer Solstice. Thousands of people in Santa Barbara, CA, gather to watch the parade, which has a different theme each year.

The Old Spanish Days Fiesta returns every August to Santa Barbara, CA, to celebrate Latino cultures with presentations, dances and rodeos. As expected, there is plenty of food, arts and crafts for all to enjoy.

Santa Barbara International Film Festival is the biggest gala in town, drawing celebrities and major film producers from all over the globe. This beach town goes Hollywood every year in late January.

When to Go

Weather does not vary much in Santa Barbara, CA, and the temperatures are always pleasant, making it a perfect place to visit year-round.

The typical summer high temperatures in Santa Barbara, CA, are usually around 72°F (22°C) with 54°F (12°C) lows. Winter lows can drop to about 39°F (3°C), but most days you can enjoy temperatures around 61°F (16°C).

The rainfall in Santa Barbara, CA, is negligible in the warmer months, and you can expect about 3 inches (7 cm) per month in the wintertime.

Getting There

If you are driving, you will use US 101 to get in or out of Santa Barbara, CA. Take the Garden Street exit for downtown Santa Barbara and the Cabrillo Boulevard off-ramp to go to the beaches.

Santa Barbara Municipal Airport offers service to several major cities on the West Coast, and there is a shuttle to and from LAX for travellers with connecting flights.

Amtrak's two train lines and Greyhound buses have major stations in Santa Barbara, CA, as well.

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