Some Must-See Sights in Beautiful Santa Barbara

By Pam Price

Have you seen America’s Riviera lately? There has never been a better time to explore the historic city of Santa Barbara and its environs, which are situated along a “gentle crescent of California coast connecting breathtaking beaches, soaring mountains, verdant vineyards, elevated enclaves, and eclectic communities,” according to Visit Santa Barbara. Here is a roundup of some of the highlights you will want to make time for on your next visit, whether for a weekend or longer.

State Street Promenade: Santa Barbara’s mile-long State Street Promenade is a 10-block stretch from Sola to Gutierrez streets, temporarily closed to car traffic, revitalizing the downtown corridor since opening at the outset of the pandemic in spring 2020. The pedestrian promenade has lent the city a festive, European atmosphere, with outdoor restaurants and bars expanding into streets and sidewalks. Adjacent street dining areas have also cropped up, including Victoria Street and Coast Village Road near Montecito. The city has formed a committee to explore how to make it a permanent feature.

Presidio Neighborhood: A vibrant few blocks in the heart of Santa Barbara, centered around the historical site of one of the last Spanish fortresses (or “presidios”) to be built in California, the Presidio

Neighborhood is now home to intriguing, locally owned shops, wine-tasting rooms, and restaurants. Walking the neighborhood rewards visitors with discoveries of hidden walkways, courtyards, and fanciful architectural details, such as the “Street in Spain,” with its many colored flags, located in El Paseo, California’s first shopping center. Due to COVID-19, many tasting rooms expanded outdoors into El Paseo’s spacious cobblestone courtyard, including Grassini Family Vineyards, Happy Canyon Vineyard, Au Bon Climat, and Jamie Slone Wines.

Stearns Wharf and Santa Barbara Harbor: The wharf is the West Coast’s oldest working wooden wharf and one of Santa Barbara’s most beloved landmarks, with not-to-miss photo ops, including a dazzling view of the coastline and the Santa Ynez Mountains. Explore a quaint and eclectic collection of shops, eateries, and more, from the Santa Barbara Shellfish Co. and Deep Sea Tasting Room to the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center, or depart for a coastal cruise with Celebration Cruises.

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden: Set on 78 acres of sloping foothills in the Mission Canyon neighborhood above Santa Barbara, the garden offers not only beautiful beds of native plants but 5.5 miles of scenic trails where more than a thousand California plant species are on display. Native plants are showcased by different growing zones, including desert, island, chaparral habitats, and a peaceful redwood forest. In spring and early summer, the views of the gently sloping meadow abloom with wildflowers and backed by the Santa Ynez Mountain range are sublime.

Old Mission Santa Barbara: Known as the “Queen of the Missions” due to its exceptional beauty, Old Mission Santa Barbara has served as a gathering place and spiritual home for many since its establishment in

1786. It was the 10th of 21 California missions founded by the Spanish Franciscans. Situated on 15 acres, the Mission grounds include the Mission church, historic cemetery and mausoleum, a nine-room museum of historical artwork and artifacts, and multiple lush gardens.

Hotel: Santa Barbara Inn. Framed by deep red terra-cotta roofs, luminous white stucco, gracefully arched windows, and handcrafted tile domes, Santa Barbara Inn perfectly embodies the spirit and architecture of Santa Barbara. The Spanish Mediterranean boutique hotel merges classic elegance and coastal luxury with 70 beautifully appointed rooms, suites, and dramatic ocean views. The hotel was extensively renovated and reopened in the summer of 2016. Visit santabarbarainn.com.

Adorned with flickering gas lanterns and a fire pit, Convivo restaurant’s oceanview terrace is an enchanting spot for breakfast or savoring cocktails and “nomad” California and Italian fare. This excellent restaurant, popular with the locals, is located inside the Santa Barbara Inn.

To help plan your visit to Santa Barbara, visit https:// santabarbaraca.com.