ۥ-1@ -6#)!($($$($($($($(2( R(R(R(R(R( \( R(f((((((((((((((((((4(($((( Tour Santa Barbara, The Local Way -Scott Padrick Santa Barbara was founded in 1782 by Franciscan monks from Spain and Mexico. The city has often been described as the riveira of the pacific, because of its Spanish charm and tropical climate. Only 90 miles from Los Angeles its no wonder many celebertys homes and vacation get aways are hidden in the many communities of the city. Sundays are the best day to visit the city as you will get to partake in the many outdoor festivals and lower prices. Coming north on the 101, as you approach the county line, you will come upon the communities of Carpenteria, Summerland and Montecito. Carpenteria is known for its farming and agriculture industries, most popular of the products grown here are the world renown flowers used in many pageants and the rose parade. In this community you will also see Santa Claus village (to your left) marked by a statue of Santa, there are shops and restaurants here. In the community of Summerland you will find many quaint restaurants, country inns and collectable shops, this is a good place to stop and take in some of Santa Barbarous culinary delight, and be sure to visit the Nugget restaurant where president Clinton jammed with locals on a recent visit. Traveling through Montecito you will get a look at the fabulous architecture of Santa Barbara, this town is home to many celebrates, and the elite of the city. There are many vast properties which house many of the countries most prestigious restaurants and clubs, among these is Westmont Collage. While touring the community you might notice many of the residences have been used in movies of the past. After passing through Montecito you will come upon the City of Santa Barbara, turning off at HOT SPRINGS exit, you will begin your impromptu tour of Santa Barbara. Take a left and under the Freeway onto Cabrillo Boulevard. On your right you will see the The Andre Clark Bird Refuge, home to some 100 species of birds and aquatic life. Continuing down Cabrillo Boulevard you will see to your left, East Beach, which plays host to many recreational and professional volleyball tournaments during the year. Coming upon Ninos Drive (on your right), home of the Santa Barbara Zoological gardens. The Zoo is home to over five hundred animals as well as botanical life. Still traveling north on Cabrillo boulevard you will come upon the many hotels of the city, among these is The Fess Parkers Red Lion Resort. Traveling on to the right you will come upon the chamber of commerce, this is the original building transported here in the '80, here you can find many tourist maps and brochures about the city. If you are here on Sunday you might want to park in this lot and visit the seaside festival on the right side of Cabrillo boulevard. This festival offers the best of Santa Barbara souvenirs and crafts. Going further down Cabrillo Boulevard to the left you will see Sterns Wharf. Built in 1872 by a enterprising railroad owner this is now home to many restaurants and shops. At the foot of the wharf is the dolphin statue given to the city by our sister city Puerto Vallarta in Mexico. This is a good place to find a parking place(don't park on the wharf it cost to much, see above for parking) and take a walking tour of the beach, wharf and lower downtown shops or rent a cruiser biker or roller blades and take them on the beach walk. You can also join a trolley tour of the city at the foot of the wharf. Further down Cabrillo Boulevard you will come upon the harbor to your left and the carriage museum to your right. The Harbor is home to many Yachts as well as commercial fishing vessels, if you have time this is a good place to take in a whale watching tour, leaving every two hours or just take a walk to the end of the breakwater , to view the city as well as the islands on a clear day. Down Castillo Boulevard (right) you will find the Carriage museum, the museum is only open Sundays from 2 to 4 PM and home to many Victorian and Spanish house carriages of historic Santa Barbara, as well as a fire pump. Continuing on take a left down Cliff Drive you will come upon Santa Barbara City Collage to your left. Santa Barbara city collage overlooks the ocean in one of most beautiful campuses of any educational institute. Going further down cliff drive about 1 1/2 miles, through many residential zones you will come to Arroyo Burro Beach, a good place to spend the day taking in the waves, or go to the cliffs adjacent the beach and watch the hang gliders take off and land(providing its windy enough). Coming further down Cliff Drive it will turn into Las Palmas Drive this road will take you past many homes and estates, some belonging to celebrates, in the community of Hope Ranch. After winding your way through the homes Las Palmas road will turn into La Cumbre Road. On the right you will see the La Cumbre Plaza one of the many shopping resorts of the city. Continue on La Cumbre road until you reach Foothill Road take a right here and continue on about 2 miles through more residential zones. When you reach the stop sign you can either turn right and go on with the tour or go strait and visit the botanical gardens. If you have the time I highly recommend the botanical gardens. Going strait you will come to a fire station, here you will continue up Mission Canyon and following the signs you will wind up a mountainous road and eventually end up at The Botanical gardens, home to over 1000 species of botanical life, as well as many endangered species of plants. Continuing on with our tour, at the stop sign you will go right down Mission Canyon Road(or left if you went to the gardens). Traveling south down this road you will come to Sycamore Canyon Road (on your right)at the end of this road resides the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. The museum offers many presentations on past life in Santa Barbara, exhibits include a blue whale skeleton, a planetarium and a Indian hall as well as many others. Going back down Mission Canyon Road you will come to the Santa Barbara Mission. The queen of the mission, Santa Barbara Mission is one of the most beautiful missions in the California Mission Chain, tours are offered daily from the gift shop. Further down Mission Road take a left on State Street. This is the towns main street, down the street about one mile lies the downtown shopping district. Here you will find the Arlington Theater and a block down the Granada Theater, Offering nightly entertainment. Go left on Victoria Street and then right on Anacapa Street. You should park now for the ladder part of the tour is better to walk. Down Anacapa street one block is the Santa Barbara Court House. The court house offers daily tours or self guided tours. Across the street from the court house is the library, which leads through a court yard and back to State Street. Again depending on your time you will want to explore the many fine restaurants on this street or you might want to go shopping. If you plan to attend a theatrical event at either of the theaters you might want to purchase your tickets now to assure better seating, shows usually begin at 8:00 p.m., there are also many other movie complexes further down the street. On the corner of Anapumu and State you will find the Museum of Art, housing many of the worlds finest traveling art exhibits. Traveling down the street you will see a vast array of shopping pleasures and eateries, some of the better stores are World of Magic, Comics On Parade , Rudys Mexican Food, The Earthling Book shop and many more. Down about 4 blocks on the left side of the street lies the Paseo Nuevo, this mall simulates the streets of Spain with many specialty shops and restaurants. Across from the Paseo Nuevo you will come to De La Guerra Street if you travel down this street a block you will come to the Santa Barbara Historical Museum and Santa Barbara Presidio. These museums offer a glimpse of what life was like for early Santa Barbarans and solders. When your day is over (or you are seeing a show) travel back up State Street, when you come to the Granada Theater, start looking for the alley way . When you find the alley walk through to the parking lot in the rear, this is where you are parked. When you are ready to go back to Los Angeles travel down Anacapa Street until you get to Haley Street talk a left here, get in the right lane. Travel down this street about 3 blocks to Garden Street take a right and go under the freeway and get in the left turn lane, (to get on the freeway). Go Southbound on the 101 until you get back to your destination. Tour Santa Barbara, The Local Way -Scott Padrick Santa Barbara was founded in 1782 by Franciscan monks from Spain and MexiUar}=G\jVdq )""%"2"""4#6#*\"4#6#!!; !!!F  !! 6#6#(Times New Roman Symbol&Arial  ss  "hⅱ!Local Guide To Santa Barbara Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara, CA, Guide, LocalGuide for friends coming from LA for local attractions going along the beach thru hope ranch up the foot hill and back to state streetGlenna TallmanGlenna Tallman