What to do and what to see in Santa Barbara which, between endless beaches, giant palm trees and a serene and relaxed atmosphere, all seasoned with an excellent wine, represents the fifth essence of California!
Santa Barbara it is an authentic paradise and, although much smaller than other Californian cities such as Los Angeles and San Diego, it offers many things to do and see and is incredibly low cost.
I say incredibly because we are certainly not in an economic region: the California, in fact, it is quite expensive, but with a few tricks and simple advice it is really possible to fully enjoy one of the most beautiful trips you can do.
Santa Barbara is all this, with its long coastline that almost seems to want to embrace a piece of Pacific Ocean which gives the visitor, and the lucky residents, an indescribable scenario. In fact, it is priceless in the morning to take a walk along the seafront, with the cool ocean breeze and the intense scent of the sea… truly an experience to try.
Santa Barbara is characterized by the typical Spanish colonial style which pervades its streets and buildings with orange roofs and which creates a truly unique atmosphere: in some moments, it seems to be in a city in Andalusia or in the heart of Mexico.
Not to mention the rich winemaking tradition of the city that presents the excellent and renowned wines produced in the neighboring region. But let's go in order.
What to see in Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara is, as I said, a city on a human scale, therefore, you can easily visit the city center walking. In fact, walking is really a must in this city, both along the internal roads and, as mentioned, along the seafront.
The main street in the center is the State Street which crosses the downtown area where the most important historical and cultural attractions are located. Above all, one cannot ignore a visit from the County courthouse, one of the most beautiful government buildings in the USA. Inside the building it is possible to see the tiled ornaments and the particular murals, such as the famous one Mural Room, an interior room where there is the extraordinary fresco by the painter Daniel Sayre Groesbeck which depicts the history of Santa Barbara.
Also, the Courthouse offers some interesting ones experiences at no cost, like climbing the clock tower of the El Mirador, from which you can admire the enchanting 360-degree view of the city, or, relaxing or having a picnic in the large tropical garden outside.
Also along State Street, the Santa barbara museum of art, a renowned museum that houses numerous works including the collection of the famous impressionist painter Monet. The Museum offers free admission on Thursday evenings and interesting free events are often organized which can be consulted on the official website.
Still in the downtown area, there is the splendid Santa Barbara Old Mission, the Spanish mission founded by the Franciscan friars on 4 December 1786 on the occasion of the feast of Santa Barbara which gave the city its name. The building is truly impressive and, especially when it is lit up in the evening, it evokes western scenarios with a Spanish colonial soul.
But continuing on State Street towards the ocean, you come to Santa Barbara's main tourist attraction represented by the port, the Santa Barbara Harbor, and from the seafront. In this area it is in fact possible to visit the pier with the myriads of boats of all kinds that are moored and stroll along the beach to the famous Stearns Wharf pier.
On the wooden pier, a real symbol of the city, there are many clubs, souvenir shops, restaurants, such as the famous Santa Barbara Shellfish Company, and so on, even if the pier has a rather commercial soul, from Stearns Wharf you can enjoy a splendid view of the beach and the city.
What to do in Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara is basically one resort town and, especially in summer, it offers so many things to do: in short, in this city, fun is guaranteed even for a few days.
Surely, in my opinion, the best thing to do in Santa Barbara is, as mentioned several times, to walk a lot, through the center, on the seafront, on the long beaches, at any time of the day, to breathe and immerse yourself in the particular and relaxed Californian atmosphere of the city.
Shopping lovers will certainly not be disappointed by the many shops of all kinds on State Street. And always in this area there are many solutions on what to do in the evening in Santa Barbara, with many clubs, bars and restaurants.
But now we come to the strong point of the city, that is what to eat in Santa Barbara. The neighboring regions of the city, called precisely Wine Country, are in fact famous for the production of excellent wines of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc qualities. For fans, it is not to be missed Urban Wine Trail a special card that allows you to take a recommended route among the best wineries in downtown.
For info, visit their website.
Let's say there is not only to drink! As for food, there are some great ones in Santa Barbara cheese and also the fish of the ocean is very good. In this regard I suggest you try the exquisite sea urchin sushiand (they are huge compared to our own!) in the harbor area.
Another great possibility that Santa Barbara offers is clearly the sea: in the city there are in fact some beautiful beaches where you can swim, sunbathe, walk, play sports and so on. But please be careful because the ocean is certainly not the mare nostrum and all the necessary precautions for a safe swim are necessary, such as not straying too far from the coast, paying attention to the waves and wearing a wetsuit if the water is too cold.
Finally, I point out the feast of 1st Thursday which takes place on the first Thursday of each month during which the whole downtown is celebrating with open doors of galleries, artistic performances, live music, wine tasting etc.
Where sleeping in Santa Barbara
In the city there are very luxury resorts and hotels, but I recommend a more intimate stay in the city Casa Del Mar Inn (18 Bath Street, West Beach), a typical Spanish-style colonial house near downtown and the promenade, welcoming atmosphere and excellent value for money.
Curiosity
Perhaps someone will remember that Santa Barbara was the location of the very successful soap opera of the same name and broadcast in Italy in the nineties. For nostalgic fans, a trip to Santa Barbara will give the thrill of seeing live the fantastic places where the intriguing stories of the mythical characters took place Cruz Castillo ed Eden Capwell.
In conclusion, Santa Barbara is not only a paradise for the rich, but it is a city rich in history, culture, entertainment and relaxation that can offer the visitor a truly authentic and unforgettable travel experience! Comments and opinions on this beautiful city are very welcome.
