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Guidebook Santa Barbara County, California the American Riviera™
Location/region: Set on the Pacific
with 100 mi/160 km of sweeping coastline, Santa Barbara and its
environs, including the Santa Ynez Mountains, tasty wine country
and seaside cities, lie just 92 mi/148 km north of Los Angeles
and 332 mi/534 km south of San Francisco. Visitors can arrive
via scenic Highway 1, daily stops on Amtrak or via air service
to Santa Barbara Airport or Los Angeles International Airport.
Geographical Information: Santa Barbara
County encompasses the cities of Carpinteria, Goleta, Montecito,
Summerland, Channel Islands National Park, Ballard, Buellton,
Lompoc, Los Alamos, Los Olivos, Santa Maria, Santa Ynez and
Solvang. The city of Santa Barbara is 18.9 sq. mi/49 km sq. with
a population of 92,325. County population: 399,347.
Climate: Year-round
Mediterranean climate with an annual average of 300+ days of sunshine
and fresh ocean breezes. Santa Barbara's unique east-west coastline (the
only one from Alaska to Cape Horn) provides soothing year-round southern
exposure. Average temperatures range from 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit
throughout the year.
Population:
County
population: 399,347
Beaches: Eighteen beaches stretch nearly 100
mi/160 km from the coastal cities of Carpinteria to Guadalupe.
Sunbathing, diving, kayaking, whale watching, parasailing, jet skiing,
surfing, volleyball, beachside biking and in- line skating are common
play.
Accommodations: County-wide, Santa Barbara
offers nearly 100 properties, ranging from deluxe to budget, including
35 beachfront hotels and one hostel. The area is known for its historic
B&Bs, with 15 properties. Guest ranches are also available. Reservation
information: Coastal Escapes 800/292-2222 or Santa Barbara Hot Spots
800/793-7666. Six public and two private camping parks offer a variety
of landscapes; 800/444-7275.
Meeting Facilities: Full-service conference and convention
facilities dot the area with 120+ meeting sites, ranging from 200 sq.
ft. to 40,000 sq. ft. World-class beach-front venues, horse ranches,
intimate wineries and skyline meeting sites are available.
Transportation: Santa Barbara Airport is 8 mi/13 km north of
downtown; 805/683-4011. American Eagle, America West Express, Delta
Airlines, Delta Connection and United Airlines Express service the
airport. Non-stop flights are available from Denver, Phoenix, Las Vegas,
Los Angeles, San Jose, Salt Lake City and San Francisco. Express bus
service is available from major airports via Santa Barbara Airbus,
800/423-1618 and SuperRide Shuttle, 805/683-9636 or 800/977-1123. The
Old Town Trolley runs throughout the city from 10am to 5pm daily,
departing from Stearns Wharf ($12 adults/$7 children for all day on/off
privileges); the electric shuttle serves the downtown area, the
Waterfront and Coast Village Road in Montecito (25 cents).
Points of Interest:
Architecture - The city's Red Tile Walking Tour
showcases SantaBarbara's oldest and most fascinating architectural
landmarks (see Visitor Guide). Historic adobes and missions dot the
area, including the "Queen of the Missions," Mission Santa Barbara.
Gardens - Delve into acres of orchids and
tropical plants at one of the areas gardens or public parks. Top
picks: Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens, Casa del Herrero, Lotusland,
the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, Santa Barbara Zoological Gardens
and Santa Barbara Orchid Estate.
Museums - The Maritime Museum at Santa Barbara
Harbor offers an in-depth look at the region's maritime roots. The
Santa Barbara Museum of Art boasts an outstanding collection of
American, Asian and European art. The Museum of Natural History is
nationally renowned, with an enormous whale skeleton marking the
entrance. Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum, the Historical Museum
and the Carriage Museums are also great bets.
Performing Arts - Santa Barbara is home to more
than 200 annual classic and contemporary stage productions,
including drama, comedy, dance and musical theater. Santa Barbara
Symphony, State Street Ballet and PCPA Theaterfest are just a few of
the entertainment options.
Wine Country - 60+ wineries and 20,000 planted
acres of vineyards make this region a flavorful trip. Located within
the Santa Ynez and Santa Maria valleys, just a 45-minute drive north
of Santa Barbara via Highway 101 or 154. Tasting rooms dot Los
Olivos and winery facilities offer tours and picnic sites. Santa
Barbara County Vintners' Association, 800/218-0881.
Recreational Facilities: The area offers whale watching, eagle
tours, sailing excursions and rentals, direct service from Santa Barbara
Harbor's Sea Landing to the Channel Islands, hiking in the Santa Ynez
Mountains and seven 18-hole championship golf courses, including the
top-rated Sandpiper Golf Course, Glen Annie Golf Club, River Course at
the Alisal and Rancho San Marcos Golf Course. Santa Barbara also offers
three horseback riding ranches, sea kayaking, windsurfing, beachside
bicycle and in-line skating paths and seasonal spectator polo (Sundays)
at Santa Barbara Polo Club.
Information submitted by:
Santa Barbara Conference &
Visitors Bureau and Film Commission
800/927-4688 or 805/966-9222, fax 805/966-1728 for four-color
visitor guide. Destination information is also available via the
Internet:
www.santabarbaraCA.com.
For
information about accommodations, recreation, dining and much
more in this area and many other US destinations, take a moment
to visit our US Travel Directories:
