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Santa Barbara |
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Santa Barbara
Americans are fond of comparing their beach towns, sometimes ironically, to the Riviera. But Santa Barbara is the real thing. The self-proclaimed “America’s Riviera” really is full of whitewashed stucco buildings and red tile roofs, and it really does sit on the edge of a sparkling sea, almost too picturesque to be true. But make no mistake—this is a California town through and through, with all the water sports and fun in the sun you’d expect from the Golden State.
Activities and Attractions:
Santa Barbara was founded as a mission town, so the Santa Barbara Mission, built in 1820, is a good place to start your visit. Take a self-guided tour, and admire the handsome hilltop building with its view to the Channel Islands. Another architectural highlight is the county courthouse, built in 1929. With its murals, thick exposed beams, and an eight-story tower, it’s an exuberant example of Spanish colonial revival construction. (You may be thinking that a building constructed in 1929 is hardly historic, but considering that the city was nearly leveled in an earthquake in 1925, the courthouse is practically a grand old dame.)
March out of the past and into the contemporary world—the route lies along State Street, the main commercial thoroughfare of Santa Barbara. You’ll see some hat and t-shirt shops, but keep browsing and you’ll find plenty of interesting boutiques. Lose yourself on Brinkerhoff Avenue, Santa Barbara’s own little antique district. One other hot shopping spot is the El Paseo shopping arcade. Imagine that Madrid had a shopping mall in the 19th century--it would probably have looked something like this. The arcade is built around a real 1827 home, and features a number of shops and galleries for browsing.
It’s worth noting that in Santa Barbara, you’re mere miles from the artist colony of Ojai, one of the best places to buy art in California. Dozens of artists have studios and galleries in town. In October, artists throw open their studios for organized tours, although you’ll find them fairly accessible year-round.
Santa Barbara is perhaps most famous for being a beach town. You don’t have to be a surfer to enjoy the sea here; you can just take it in from East Beach, which starts near the wharf. The swimming is a little chilly but safe. If you are a surfer, there are some good winter swells at Ledbetter Beach. Between late December and late March the whale watching is great. The leviathans, mostly gray whales, can occasionally be seen from shore, but booking a cruise or a charter boat is obviously the best way to go.
Finally, don’t be afraid to embrace Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara’s most famous tourist attraction. It has its share of trinket shops, but it’s also a real working wharf harking back to Santa Barbara’s past. Kids will love the Sea Center, which has an aquarium including hands-on touch-pool exhibits. The wharf is also the launching point for harbor tours. Book a sunset cruise and you’ll be done with comparing Santa Barbara to the Mediterranean forever—you’ll just be happy you’re right where you are.
Insider Tip:
As you might imagine, Santa Barbara, a compact, popular destination, is not an easy town to park in. Once you’ve found a place to stash your car, consider traveling up and down State Street via shuttle. These aren’t your average city buses; little electric shuttles run along the line, and for public transportation, they’re relatively posh. (Like Santa Barbara itself.)
-Exclusively for Perfect Escapes by Nicole Clausing |
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