Things to do in Santa Barbara, California
If you intend to make a trip to California, you should read this article about the best things to do in Santa Barbara.
Santa Barbara is a popular tourist destination. Hundreds of tourists throng the beaches and shopping malls of Santa Barbara throughout the year. In fact the city has nothing like an off season. The climate is pleasant throughout the year and reminds one of the Mediterranean regions of Europe.
If you are visiting the city alone or with friends or family, then a host of activity awaits you. In fact it’s better to check out the local websites and know in advance about the forthcoming events. The city is not only famous for its beaches but also for its historical landmarks. This article describes the key things one can do in Santa Barbara.
County Courthouse
Santa Barbara has one of the most beautiful court houses in the whole of America. This architectural masterpiece was built about 75 years back but it’s still a fully functional court. The Santa Barbara Courthouse is more like a palace of Spanish architecture. It has vast lawns and a tropical garden. You can get a high level view of the whole city from the watch tower of the courthouse. You can see the sea shore and the mountains around the city from this tower. The tower closes around 4:00 pm, so plan accordingly. Try not to skip the view from the tower.
The Mission
If you are interested in knowing about the history of Santa Barbara, then The Mission is the place for you. Mission is also a place to participate or just enjoy the cultural events.
The Waterfront
If we are in California, then we need to have gorgeous beaches. The Waterfront is a must-see location in Santa Barbara. You can enjoy 3 beaches on The Waterfront. These beaches are Ledbetter beach, West beach and East beach. There is also a wharf and a harbor. You can also skate at the skate park there. Very close by is a museum. The wharf is more than 130 years old and was once a major transport point for bringing in immigrants and other goods to the city. If you want to know more about the marine life, then the wharf has an interactive, entertaining education facility. Then you can take a shuttle from the wharf and reach the harbor, which is about 100 years old. You can take a stroll along the sea side here. Also the famous Santa Barbara restaurant, Brophy Bros., and the famous Maritime museum on the harbor are worth a visit. If you are interested in meeting the local artists, then the nearby Chase Palm Park is a good point to catch them during their meetings and performances there.
Casa de la Guerra
Casa de la Guerra is a museum right on the State Street of the city. It has on display some of the most marvelous artifacts. The collection was originally owned by a rich Santa Barbara commander. The museum is now listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Botanic gardens
Well, if you have time and you like flora and fauna, then take a trip to the Santa Barbara Botanic gardens. The park is a huge 65 acres area wide. The natural trails itself are about 5 plus miles. A variety of shrubs, tree, cacti and other plants can be spotted here. There is also a 200 year old dam made by the early natives of the place.
Santa Barbara’s Wine Country
If you have means to drive and you love wine, then Santa Ynez Valley is a place to go. It’s about an hour drive from Santa Barbara. You can take a trail like the Foxen Canyon Trail and visit various California wineries on the way.
You can also do hiking and biking in and around Santa Barbara. Bikes and even skates are available on rent. If you think that Santa Barbara will be sleeping in night time, then you are mistaken. State Street has some of the best nightlife spots. There are quite a few discotheques, sports bars and live music restaurants in the area. Also there are a whole lot of dining and shopping destinations in this area.
Overall, Santa Barbara has many things to do whatever your interests are. The place has something for people of every age group.
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