Why Santa Barbara? That’s easy!
First… the best weather in the world. Its unique south facing
position is quietly nestled between the ocean and mountains creating a comfortable coastal climate which produces over 300 days of pleasant sunshine from dawn to dusk. The lush, tropical climate and crisp clean air of Santa Barbara is always a delightful surprise to first-time visitors who return year after year to appreciate this beautiful pocket of a coastal paradise. Truly, an oasis for lovers of outdoor activities, pristine beaches and a relaxed lifestyle! Because of all these distinctive qualities, Santa Barbara is known by many as the “American Riviera”.
…Santa Barbara Waterfront and State Street
The waterfront is home to the Santa Barbara Harbor and Stearn’s Wharf. Take a stroll along the breakwater and enjoy the view of the Channel Islands in the distance or spend the day playing volleyball on East Beach or sunbathing at West Beach.
Visit the Ty Warner Sea Center and Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, or just take a moment to catch the beautiful sunset and the silhouettes of sailboats coming in and out of the harbor
The Dolphin Fountain near the entrance of Stearn’s Wharf marks the southern end of State Street, gateway to the heart of downtown Santa Barbara. A lovely walk up State Street’s red brick sidewalks you’ll find enough variety to satisfy almost any interest! Shop at our many local boutiques or high end retailers like Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom or frequent any one of our outstanding cafes or fine dining restaurants. If you get tired of walking, hop on Santa Barbara’s Electric Trolley which travels up and down State Street on a regular basis.
…Santa Barbara Culture
Every year,Santa Barbara hosts a multitude of festivals and celebrations, from Earth Day and the annual Summer Solstice Parade, I Madonnari chalk paintings,to our famous Fiesta – Santa Barbara’s Old Spanish
Days, featuring great food and music, colorful costumes and elaborate floats, and fun for all ages.
Santa Barbara contains numerous performing art venues, including the 2,000 seat Arlington Theatre, the largest indoor performance venue in Santa Barbara; the Lobero Theatre, a historic building and favorite venue for small concerns; the Granada Theater, the tallest building downtown, recently remodeled and reopened in March 2008; and the Santa Barbara Bowl, a 4,562 seat amphitheater used for outdoor concerts, nestled in a picturesque canon northwest of
Santa Barbara.
The Santa Barbara Museum of Art features an impressive collection of permanent and special exhibits. Catch the Santa Barbara Symphony at the newly restored Granada Theater, or watch your favorite stars walk the red carpet outside the
Arlington at the annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
…Distinctive Architecture, History and Charm.
The colorful history of Santa Barbara is captured in the distinctive architecture and Mediterranean-style red tile roofs throughout the city. Visit many of our historic Spanish style buildings like Santa Barbara’s distinctive Courthouse. Built in 1926, it is famous for its mural rooms, beautiful sunken gardens, and breathtaking views of the entire city from the building’s
roof top. Sights of Santa Barbara’s Spanish colonial past can be found at the Old Spanish Mission, the tenth of 21 Franciscan Missions of California. This architectural masterpiece was founded in 1786 and is known as the “Queen of Missions” for its graceful beauty, colorful rose gardens and lovely vistas.
Looking for more charm? Montecito has it all! Quaint, quiet, and beautiful. Many call it the “crown jewel” of Santa Barbara. Both the upper and lower villages of Montecito have lovely shops, outdoor cafes, salons and fine dining. Another appealing aspect of Montecito is its pristine beaches where visitors can take a stroll down Butterfly Beach to Fernald’s Point. With its lavish estate homes and cozy bungalows, this small community is home to many celebrities and visitors alike.