Visiting Santa Barbara

(Santa Barbara, California - CA, USA)

Santa Barbara is situated in a naturally beautiful location in Southern California that encompasses a superb ocean coastline and the Santa Ynez Mountains. With a population of 100,000, the city is much smaller and more relaxing than the nearby cities of Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego.

Santa Barbara is known as the 'American Riviera' because of its perfect coastline, good climate and historical influences from the Spanish and the Mexicans. Many people from nearby cities and tourists from abroad find Santa Barbara the perfect place to enjoy a holiday.

Visiting Santa Barbara: Places to Visit

• Join a tour of the impressive Mission Santa Barbara, with its twin towers, museum and scenic grounds. Built in 1786, this Franciscan mission is still in use and is popularly known as the 'Queen of Missions'.
• Relax in Santa Barbara's Botanic Gardens, located in Mission Canyon. Take a stroll among the delightful gardens and across the Mission Dam for fantastic views of the California Islands
• Visit the oldest building in Santa Barbara at the El Presidio State Historic Park. The El Presidio can be traced back to 1782, when it was used as a military stronghold by the Spanish. The museum and guided tour give visitors a good insight into the stronghold's history
• View some of the exquisite artwork on display at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, established in 1941. Paintings from Latin America, early western America and Asia are on show and can be seen on tours of the building.
• Taste the excellent local wine on a tour of the Santa Barbara Winery. Conveniently located in the downtown area, many varieties of wine are available
• Explore the plazas, boutiques and so much more on a walk or a ride on the Electric Trolley, which takes visitors along the tree-lined promenade of State street. State street is a must see for anyone traveling to Santa Barbara
• Visit Stearns Wharf, California's oldest wharf, built in 1872. Still in use today, tours and cruises can be taken from the pier or you can wander around its many shops and restaurants
• Join a tour of the restored structure and superb period furniture of the Casa de la Guerra. This is a fine example of Spanish and Mexican influence on the area during the early 1800s
• Take a look at the American artwork on display at Sullivan Goss Gallery. The gallery's main focus is on artists based in California. The permanent pieces of art on display total at 6,000
• Look for whales and dolphins from the vantage points in Shoreline Park. Beautiful views of the ocean, mountains and islands can be enjoyed at the same time as a picnic