Guide to Santa Barbara: how to get there and where to stay, what to see and where to go in the evening. The most interesting in Santa Barbara: fresh reviews and photos, places to see, branded entertainment and shops.
According to Toppharmacyschools, it is still unknown whether this was a commercial move by the authorities of Santa Barbara or just a coincidence, but after the release of the cult series, fans flooded this resort with posters of CC, Gina, Eden and Mason Capwell.
To this day, soap opera fans go to Santa Barbara not to splash in the Pacific Ocean, but only in order to find among the rows of neat houses the very one where the world-famous family got entangled in their intrigues. But Santa Barbara is not only a place of pilgrimage for moviegoers, but also bright streets with palm trees on the sides, snow-white houses in the Spanish style, parks, gardens, unique museums and top scientific and educational institutions.
How to get there
From Los Angeles, you can get to Santa Barbara by rail in 3 hours, but if you rent a car, then in 1.5 hours. The journey from San Diego by train will take 5 hours. By the way, the station is located right in the center of the city, not far from the ocean.
Parking in Santa Barbara is free for the first two hours, after which it will cost $ 1.50 per hour.
Weather in Santa Barbara
The climate of this resort is mild and pleasant at any time of the year. There is no tiring heat or frost, and tourists can take a dip in the salty cool Pacific waters at any time of the year. Warm evening monsoons are reminiscent of the pleasant coolness of the Mediterranean and make you want to stay in a cozy town forever. True, due to the popularity of Santa Barbara among celebrities, house prices are high.
Cuisine and restaurants
Since Santa Barbara is a classic resort town, it has many restaurants, cafes, burgers. Kitchens from all over the world can be found on the main street of the city – State Street. Among the popular establishments is the Bouchon restaurant (address: W. Victoria St, 9) with French cuisine, an almost homely atmosphere and optimal prices. Another good place is Le Cafe Stella at 3302 Mc Caw Ave, which serves both American and French cuisine.
By the way, at the beginning of State Street there is a Cost Plus imported goods store, which offers significant discounts on goods.
Santa Barbara is a paradise for lovers of delicious quality wine. It is worth heading to the towns of Los Olivos and Santa Ainez – the founders of Merlot wine, which is unusual in its taste characteristics. Californian wines are ranked fourth after French, Spanish and Italian wines.
Entertainment
In addition to studying culture and history, Santa Barbara also has beach activities: yachting, surfing, cycling and rollerblading along the promenade. The city often hosts film festivals. Leonardo DiCaprio, Nicole Kidman, Ryan Gosling received prizes at the festivals of Santa Barbara for their contribution to cinema.
Every year Santa Barbara hosts a Poodle Parade.
A more contemplative and quiet rest was prepared for tourists by benches and alleys of numerous gardens and parks. A great place for a picnic is the Botanical Garden, which contains a variety of plant species. Hikers are conquering Rattlesnake Canyon, breeders are growing new plants in Francesca Park, and the town of Carpinteria near Santa Barbara is famous for its orchids and flower shops.
Attractions
Ancient church
One of the oldest and most respectable sights is the Santa Barbara Mission Church, which appeared at the end of the 18th century. initiated by the Spanish conquerors. The church is active, but now there is also a small museum within its walls, and a picturesque garden is laid out nearby. The project of the building dates back to the beginning of our era, which adds historical value to each pebble of an architectural monument.
The Mission Church is the same building with arches from the intro of the famous series.
Courthouse
If the Capwell family really existed, then it would settle all legal problems in the courtrooms of the County Courthouse (Court House). This echoing huge building, made in the Moorish style, occupies an entire block. Tourists are offered to admire the panoramic view from the height of the local bell tower and look into the University Art Museum.
Historical Museum
The Santa Barbara Historical Museum is another free museum where you can learn more about the history of the city named after St. Barbara. In addition, here you can find a collection of works of Asian and American art, antiques and photographs. Museum website (in English).
In order not to disturb the harmony and originality of the pretty Spanish houses, which are the basis of the architectural ensemble of Santa Barbara, the city authorities prohibit the placement of large billboards, banners, banners on the streets. There are only laconic discreet inscriptions with the names of shops and restaurants.
Art Museum
Art lovers should not miss the Museum of Art (Santa Barbara Museum of Art) – the collections of paintings by Georgia O’Keeffe, John Singer Sargent and Edward Hopper are kept here. The museum is open daily, except Monday, from 11:00 to 17:00. Museum website (in English).
Natural History Museum
Even if zoology has never aroused your special interest, perhaps the love of crawling, flying and jumping creatures will flare up after visiting the Museum of Natural History (Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History). Not only is it one of the oldest museums in the city, its exposition, collected in two adobe buildings, has more than 3 million specimens of all kinds of vertebrates, insects, mammals and birds that live in California. Exhibits on anthropology, geological cartography – the footage of the film “Night at the Museum” comes to life right before your eyes, and you are already waiting for the statue of a martyr of the 14th century to come to life before your eyes. Saint Barbara. The museum is open daily, except holidays and weekends, from 10:00 to 17:00. Museum website (in English).
The Natural History Museum includes the Gladwin Planetarium and the Maritime Museum (Santa Barbara Maritime Museum)
. Perhaps one of the many pompous wedding ceremonies in the series was filmed in this historically valuable place. To find evidence, you will have to review all 2000 episodes, but it is better to spend time on a personal visit to the Ty Warner Sea Center located on the pier – the Maritime Museum. You will become a participant in the search for treasures, simultaneously studying both natural and human-made inhabitants of the ocean depths. You can get there on any day except Wednesday, from 10:00 to 17:00.
