What To See And Experience In Santa Barbara

What To See And Experience In Santa Barbara

by Olivia Cross

This coastal city has been a getaway for Los Angeles residents for over one hundred years. Before the name Hollywood became indelibly associated with the movie industry, it was a center of silent film production. Its rich human history began over ten thousand years ago with native settlements, and it has survived at least two serious earthquakes. Today <A href="http://santabarbaralife.com">Santa Barbara</A>, CA is an exciting and popular destination for visitors.

The last major temblor occurred in 1925, after which the city was reconstructed with a intentionally Spanish flavor, which the County Courthouse building best illustrates. Even though it is connected by major freeways to the nearby Southern California megalopolis, it has not been overwhelmed by the typical architecture of that region, and still projects its own distinctive, recognizable style.

This destination is the perfect place to spend a few days before traveling up the coast towards Hearst Castle, a opulent residence that has been preserved in its original splendor, or to use as a home base for experiencing the wineries in the Santa Ynez Valley. The region has been described as the American Riviera because its climate, and is a gateway to Channel Islands National Park.

Stearns Wharf is a signature landmark, jutting into the Pacific Ocean at the base of State Street. It has withstood the pounding waves in various incarnations since the 1870s, surviving several disasters. Today it features stores and restaurants, and is the location of the Natural History Sea Center. Visitors not only appreciate the fine dining, but also the incomparable coastal beauty.

Nature lovers will also enjoy the Botanic Garden, a peaceful oasis filled with a wide variety of both native plants and exotic specimens. Although tours are readily available, visitors are always encouraged to explore the well-maintained pathways featuring the constantly changing displays of vegetation on their own. The site has been named a County Historical Landmark.

Fans of history appreciate seeing the Old Mission, originally founded by the Franciscans in 1786, and still referred to as the Queen Of the Mission Stations. It was the tenth in California, and the interiors were decorated by skill native American artists. Although there has been extensive restoration work completed due to earthquakes, the facade still looks very similar to the original.

Other historic landmarks include the Casa de la Guerra, which was originally a community center for many purposes, and which today is part of the El Pasea complex, modeled after an original Spanish street. The original Presidio, or fortress, became less significant after the Americans arrived in 1846, but soldier quarters and some original rooms still exist, and are located in the downtown area.

A short drive away is the ancient artwork in Chumash Painted Cave Historic Park, as well as the famously transplanted Danish town of Solvang. A number of fine restaurants provide a variety of dining experiences, and there is a wide selection of motels and hotels. There is always something interesting to see or do in this gateway to the Central Coast.



<a href="http://santabarbaralife.com">Read more about</a> How You Can Enjoy The Santa Barbara Experience.

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