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ADOBES A walk through the pueblo viejo near the Presidio reveals many adobe houses that survive from the Spanish and Mexican eras: the authentic roots of Santa Barbara's style. Local bookstores carry detailed guides to historic houses. ANDRÉE CLARK BIRD REFUGE This scenic lagoon boasts a wide variety of water birds, gardens, a footpath and bikeway. Parking located on Los Patos Way, near the Cabrillo Boulevard exit from Highway 101. Free admission. ANTIQUES Antique stores, charming small shops, and a variety of restaurants are clustered along the main streets of Carpinteria and nearby Summerland - a browser's paradise. ARLINGTON THEATRE 1317 State Street, (805) 963-4408. This Spanish Revival motion picture palace occupies the site of the world-famous Arlington Hotel, which opened in 1875 and drew elegant visitors from the East to Santa Barbara. The original hotel perished in a 1909 fire. BEACHES Favorite beaches near the center of town are East Beach, West Beach and Leadbetter Beach, with Butterfly Beach and Miramar Beach to the east, and Thousand Steps Beach and Arroyo Burro Beach to the west. CABRILLO PAVILION ARTS CENTER 1118 East Cabrillo Boulevard, (805) 962-8956. The center is above the East Beach bathhouse, built and given to the city by Mr. and Mrs. David Gray Sr. in 1925. Pick up a schedule of activities and events at the center or call for information. CARPINTERIA TAR PITS Early explorers observed Chumash Indians fashioning canoes here, caulking the planked boats with natural asphaltum. Outcroppings of the tar are still visible along the beach. Visitors are treated to spectacular views of the coast and Channel Islands. Take Concha Loma Avenue to Calle Ocho; park at the end of Calle Ocho and walk across the railroad tracks to the lookout point. CARPINTERIA VALLEY MUSEUM OF HISTORY 956 Maple Avenue, Carpinteria, (805) 684-3112. Exhibits depict turn-of-the-century life with furnishings and clothing contributed by Carpinteria's pioneer families. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 1 to 4 p.m. Closed Sunday and Monday. Admission is free. CARRIAGE AND WESTERN ARTS MUSEUM 29 Castillo Street-(805) 962-2353. This museum houses a collection of horse-drawn vehicles used by Santa Barbara's pioneer families, stagecoaches, army wagons and more. Open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday, 2 to 4 p.m. Admission by donation. FARMERS' MARKET This colorful outdoor market takes place Saturdays at Santa Barbara and Cota streets (805) 962-5354, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and Tuesdays in the 500 and 600 blocks of State Street, 4 to 7:30 p.m. (3 to 6:30 p.m. in winter). Other farmers' markets include Goleta, 5700 block of Calle Real Shopping Center, Thursdays 3 to 7 p.m. (3 to 6:30 p.m. in winter); Montecito, 1200 block of Coast Village Road, Fridays 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.; and Carpinteria, 800 block of Linden Avenue, Thursdays 4 to 7 p.m. (3 to 6:30 p.m. in winter). FERNALD MANSION & TRUSSELL-WINCHESTER ADOBE 414 West Montecito Street, (805) 966-1601. The 1862 Fernald Mansion is a beautifully furnished, 14-room Queen Anne-style Victorian mansion. Next door is the 1854 Trussell-Winchester Adobe, an adobe house roofed with timbers from a ship wrecked off Anacapa Island. Open only on the first Sunday of the month, 2 to 4 p.m. Free admission; donations appreciated. Group tours $3 per person for groups of 20 or more; advance reservations required. MISSION SANTA BARBARA 2201 Laguna Street, (805) 682-4713. The tenth of the California missions founded by the Spanish Franciscans was established here on December 4, 1786. Its setting, twin bell towers, and lovely facade have earned it the title "Queen of the Missions". Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Tour admission $3 for adults; free for children under 12. El PASEO Entrances from State, De la Guerra, and Anacapa streets. El Paseo is a unique, Spanish-style shopping arcade, built in the 1920s around the historic De la Guerra adobe. El Paseo's architecture inaugurated Santa Barbara's Spanish Colonial Revival style. Recently renovated, it houses specialty shops, art galleries and fine restaurants. SANTA BARBARA HISTORICAL MUSEUM 136 East De la Guerra Street, (805) 966-1601. This charming adobe complex houses a fine regional history collection, and the museum's Gledhill Library is a rich resource. Open Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday noon to 5 p.m. Guided tours available. Free admission; donations are appreciated. Gledhill Library hours Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the first Saturday of each month, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Library use fees for non-members. SANTA BARBARA MARITIME MUSEUM 113 Harbor Way, (805) 962-8404. Located at the harbor entrance, the museum chronicles the area's rich maritime history. Preview center open daily, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call for museum hours and admission information. SANTA BARBARA ORCHID ESTATE 1250 Orchid Drive, (805) 967-1284. A multitude of orchids are displayed on the five-acre estate, with more than 100 varieties in bloom at any given time. Cut flowers and plants are available for purchase. Open Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free admission. SANTA CLAUS LANE Off Highway 101, 1/2 mile west of Carpinteria. Mail can be posted at this visitor center with merchandise and decor reflecting Christmas themes. Art gallery, toy stores, dried fruit and gift shops, bakery, candy kitchen, rock shop and an informal restaurant with outdoor tables on the ocean. SOUTH COAST RAILROAD MUSEUM 300 North Los Carneros Road, (805) 964-3540. In 1981, Goleta's historic 1901 Southern Pacific Depot was moved here and restoration began. Inside are antique railroad artifacts, photographs and exhibits. Open Wednesday through Sunday 1 to 4 p.m. Admission is by donation. Free handcar and miniature train rides. STOW HOUSE 304 North Los Carneros Road, (805) 964-4407. Built by a prominent ranching family in 1873, this rambling two-story house is the oldest frame house in the Goleta Valley. September 12, 1998 marked its 125th birthday. The Goleta Valley Lemon Festival and the Old-Time Fiddlers' Convention are held on the grounds in October, and the house is specially decorated for Christmas. Admission is by donation. Open Saturday and Sunday, 2 to 4 p.m., February through December. The house is closed during January and on rainy days, but the grounds are open year-round. Call to arrange group tours. STEARNS WHARF Foot of State Street, (805) 564-5518. Built in 1872 by John Peck Stearns, this is the oldest operating wharf on the West Coast. In the 1940s, Hollywood actor Jimmy Cagney and his brothers were part owners. The landmark wharf offers shops, wine tasting, a seafood market, a bait and tackle store and several restaurants. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SANTA BARBARA UC Santa Barbara's seaside campus is located in Goleta, 12 miles west of Santa Barbara. One of nine University of California campuses, it has approximately 19,000 students (undergraduate and graduate). Highlights are Storke Tower with its magnificent carillon and the excellent University Art Museum, (805) 893-2951. Numerous university events are open to the public: lectures, concerts, films, theatre, poetry readings and more. For event information, call the Arts & Lectures ticket office, (805) 893-3535. WINE COUNTRY Renowned for its Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County is California's newest premier winemaking region. More than 10,000 acres in the beautiful Santa Ynez, Los Alamos and Santa Maria valleys are planted with wine grapes, and this acreage is increasing annually. More than 40 wineries welcome visitors to their tasting rooms to sample award-winning selections and current releases. For more information about Santa Barbara and surrounding areas in Santa Barbara County, go to the Santa Barbara Conference & Visitors Bureau and Film Commission website. This website provides detailed information about tourist attractions, recreation and other activities in Santa Barbara and surrounding areas. |
CEDPA
Revised: 03/25/00