The American Riviera

Written by Janet Wheeler

If a Mediterranean trip is not on you summer schedule this year, be thankful the American Riviera is just a couple of hours away.

Santa Barbara is unique amongst California’s coastal communities with its lush vegetation and long stretches of palm-lined, golden sandy beaches against the azure-tinted ocean. These natural attributes provide the perfect backdrop for the city’s Old World architecture. Add in the temperate climate, unlimited recreational and cultural amenities; it’s easy to understand why Santa Barbara is a prime destination for the world’s rich and famous.

Santa Barbara’s proximity makes it the perfect destination for Bakersfield residents planning family vacations, romantic weekends, or even a day trip.

The Santa Barbara lifestyle is a pleasant blend of recreation and culture. And few cities this size (population approximately 100,000) offer more amenities.

With 50 city parks and nearly 300 days of sunshine, walking, running, bicycling, and outdoor activities of every kind are a part of daily life. From history to art, there are museums that will appeal to everyone’s interest.

The quickest way to become acquainted with historic Santa Barbara and all it has to offer is to sign up for a city tour. Step aboard the Santa Barbara Old Town Trolley for a narrated tour of historic Santa Barbara. With your full-day pass, you can hop on and off at your leisure to shop and explore the city. For an alternate view of the city, take Land and Sea Tours excursion in an amphibious vehicle called the Land Shark. You’ll get an overview of the city and its historic sites during the 90-minute tour, which culminates with a “drive” out into the harbor.

On either tour, you’ll recognize Santa Barbara’s quintessential style features the whitewashed walls and red-tiled roofs so prominent in Spanish architecture. The style reflects the city’s deep Spanish roots, which can still be seen downtown at El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park. Originally, the presidio was the center of government for a military district that extended from San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles, and, in its day, was considered the finest presidio in California.

Santa Barbara’s first Christian church was located at the presidio, but the Santa Barbara Mission, established in 1876, was destined to become the city’s icon. The original mission buildings were simple adobe structures and three churches were built upon the site prior to the construction of the present church. Considered by many to be the most beautiful of all the California missions, this church still has an active congregation but visitors can take a self-guided tour daily.

It would be hard to visit Santa Barbara and not block out a fair amount of time to spend here at the water, whether it’s basking on the south-facing beach or exploring the shops, restaurants, and museums at Santa Barbara Harbor or nearby Stearn’s Wharf.

Stearn’s Wharf has the distinction of being the oldest operating wooden pier in California. Built by a lumber merchant in the late 1800s, the wharf is now one of the city’s biggest tourist attractions and a great place to find fresh seafood or do a little wine tasting. Families will want to include the wharf’s Ty Warner Sea Center in their itineraries. The center offers interactive exhibits showcasing the wonders of the deep.

More seafaring explorations can be found at the Maritime Museum, located at Santa Barbara Harbor. This museum offers a look into the region’s rich maritime history, from the early Chumash to present-day deep-sea research. This museum also offers a special discovery section for children.

Tickets to sailing, whale watching, sport fishing, kayaking, diving or a sunset cruise may be purchased at the wharf or harbor. The Santa Barbara Channel is one of the world’s best whale-watching spots and summer is the season for spotting blue whales. These massive mammals can measure up to 100 feet in length, making them the largest animals on Earth. Other whale species are seen at various times throughout the year, but you don’t need to spot a whale to enjoy one of these ocean excursions. The dolphins and porpoises that inhabit the channel provide ample entertainment.

On Sunday, the Santa Barbara Arts & Crafts Show encourages a more leisurely stroll along the waterfront as more than 250 exhibitors display their talents on Cabrillo Boulevard, between State and Santa Barbara streets (10 a.m. to dusk).

One of the best views of the city is from the harbor’s breakfront. The city clings to the adjacent hillsides and neighborhoods spread up into the lush green hills capturing spectacular views of the coastline.

Take a drive up the narrow roads that wind their way through these hillside neighborhoods and you’ll see a variety of architectural styles tucked beneath a canopy of trees and surrounded by variegated foliage and cascading bougainvillea. You’ll also find interesting attractions tucked into the hills, including Santa Barbara’s 78-acre botanical gardens. Take a walk along the garden’s five and half miles of trails and discover many of California’s rare and indigenous plant species.

You’ll also want to schedule time for a visit to the nearby Museum of Natural History. The museum features exhibits focusing on the earth sciences – from anthropology to zoology – and the recently renovated Gladwin Planetarium offers a variety of programs with family-friendly times and prices.

Families will also want to make time to visit the Santa Barbara Zoological Gardens. The zoo is ideally situated on 30 acres perched upon a knoll overlooking the ocean. It is home to more than 500 animals, but visitors can easily make their way through in two to three hours. Youngsters will enjoy feeding giraffes, watching diving penguins, and coming face-to-face with a meerkat. The zoo is open daily, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The time to visit Santa Barbara is right now! What are you waiting for?

Article appeared in our 27-3 Issue - August 2010