"Pack your bags, Dream Team will help take you there"
Santa Barbara:
What to Do:
- Beaches, along the Waterfront. Santa Barbara's most popular beach, East Beach, is a pristine stretch of blindingly white sand framed by postcard quality palm trees, surrounding hills and nearby harbor. For less crowded beachcombing, try nearby Leadbetter Beach, or further up the road, isolated Arroyo Burro (known to locals as Hendry's Beach,) where dog lovers bring their pets to frolic in a no-leashes-needed surfside dog park. Even more isolated is Butterfly Beach, tucked away in a cove beneath the high-toned Biltmore Hotel in Montecito.
- Golf, Santa Barbara has numerous private and public golf courses located in and around the city. Hidden Oaks, Twin Lakes, and Ocean Meadows are 9 holes courses that provide budget prices for a round of golf. For those wishing to play 18 holes without spending a lot, the Santa Barbara Golf Club located at 3500 McCaw. provides reasonably priced rounds. For those wishing to spend more, Sandpiper Golf Course, located north of Goleta on Hollister, or Rancho San Marcos, located about 15 miles up the 154 provide a world class golf experience.
- Hiking, from the Mesa to the Santa Ynez Mountains, the unique geography of Santa Barbara provides amazing opportunities to see panoramic views and abundant wildlife. Hiking guides and maps are easily obtained at any local bookstore, well-equipped newsstand, or selected stores in tourist-heavy locations such as downtown. Examples include the Douglas Family Preserve, a great off-leash open space that often serves as the backdrop for numerous weddings, and East Camino Cielo Road off of Highway 154, which has several spots one can park and find a little trail to hike on, or even just sit and enjoy the view.
- Paragliding, (805) 968-0980- Instruction of beginner and intermediate pilot. Fly solo from the training hill at Elings Park.
- Surfing. There is great surfing, however there is no surfing in SB during the summer due to islands blocking surf from reaching the beach area.
- Wine Tasting. The Santa Barbara back country has a great collection of wineries. Just pop up to Solvang or Buelton and enjoy. Wine tours are available also.
Must-Sees:
- Karpeles Museum, 21 West Anapamu St., (805) 962-5322, open 7 days a week, 10 A.M. to 4 P.M, The Karpeles Library is the world's largest private holding of important original manuscripts & documents. Among those items on permanent display in the museum is an original Stone copy of the Declaration of Independence, a replica of the globe used by Columbus (sans the Western Hemisphere), handwritten scores by a dozen leading composers, and the computer guidance system used on the first Apollo lander flight to the moon.
- Santa Barbara Mission, 2201 Laguna St. (805) 682-4149. Self-guided tours available daily from 9am to 5pm. Known as "The Queen of the Missions," Santa Barbara's "Old Mission" is a superb example of California's Franciscan Spanish architecture. The tenth California Mission to be constructed, Mission Santa Barbara today is both a scenic wonder and a fine anthropological study of original native culture in the surrounding area.
- Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, 2559 Puesta Del Sol Road Open 10am to 5pm daily. (805) 682-4711. This large, well-presented natural history museum is - literally - a hidden treasure. Highlights include eleven exhibit halls focusing on regional natural history, and a life-size Blue Whale skeleton.
- Stearns Wharf, located at the end of State Street along the Waterfront, This picturesque 1872 wharf - the longest deep-water pier between Los Angeles and San Francisco - has tons of history. Badly damaged several times by fire, Stearn's Wharf has been repeatedly rebuilt and restored and today features more than a dozen shops and restaurants, and one of the best views in California from the end of its pier. The Wharf was also once owned by Hollywood legend James Cagney.
- Santa Barbara Museum of Art, 1130 State Street. Open Tuesday-Sunday 11am to 5pm. (805) 963-4364 Santa Barbara's main art museum features a strong collection of Roman antiquities, as well as an impressive lineup of classical European and modern art. Frequently rotated exhibitions are among the strongest in California.
- Santa Barbara Zoo, 500 Ninos Dr. Open 10am to 5pm. (805) 963-5695, Small but well-represented with over 600 animals, the zoo has provided entertainment for all ages since 1963 and is the largest zoo between Los Angeles and San Francisco
- University of California, Santa Barbara, open all year. Situated on a point somewhat west of Santa Barbara proper (but still part of the city), UCSB is commonly listed as one of the top public universities in the United States. Known for its high science programs and top scholars, it also houses a great Marine Biology department, Dance/Theater/Music programs, and much more. The campus itself is regarded as one of the more beautiful campuses among the UC system (perhaps due to it's local). Head to the top floor of the campus library for one of the best viws of the whole campus. Much of the campus, especially the areas near the beach, is undeveloped open space, and includes a man-made lagoon. Head to the UCen or the nearby college town of Isla Vista for food. From downtown, take Highway 101 north to Highway 217, and go past the airport exit. Admission is free to the campus, but parking costs, and parking restrictions are heavily enforced.
