Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara County takes its name from Mission Santa Barbara, founded in 1786 by Mexican missionaries, who settled the area under the Spanish flag. After California became the 31st state in 1850, the county of Santa Barbara was officially designated.
Aside from its wonderful weather and beautiful beaches, Santa Barbara County boasts a well-respected wine region, with as many as 115 wineries and 21,000 acres of production. Best known for its Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs, as well as its Syrahs and Viogniers, Santa Barbara’s wine grapes are among the most sought-after in the state.
Area Attractions
The hotel concierge is happy to make arrangements for additional recreational activities, including:
- Sightseeing, shopping and dining in scenic downtown Santa Barbara. The area also features many fine art galleries, historic sites, museums and walking tours.
- Visiting the historic Santa Barbara Mission, the tenth mission in a series of 21 founded by Spanish missionaries in the 18th century. The mission’s “commanding position … grand proportions [and] graceful lines” have earner her the title, “Queen of the California Missions.” El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park chronicles additional mid-19th century Santa Barbara history.
- Wine tastings at the Santa Ynez Valley wineries (Bacara guests can receive a complimentary wine tasting at more than a dozen select wineries). The Santa Ynez wine region also features the charming Danish village of Solvang, along with many areas for antiquing.
- Museums, including the Natural History Museum, Historical Society Museum, Maritime Museum, Santa Barbara Museum of Art and the South Coast Railroad Museum.
- Ty Warner Sea Center, the perfect place for kids to get up close to an array of interesting sea creatures (including a shark).
- Destination shopping at a range of locations, including the upscale Montecito Village.
- A range of ocean activities, including sailing, kayaking, yacht excursions, catamaran trips, deep-sea fishing, whale watching and surfing lessons.
- Enjoying Goleta’s parks, including Stow Park, Lake Los Carneros and Goleta Beach Park (with a 1,450-foot-long fishing pier).
- Hiking on a variety of trails near the resort. The hotel concierge can provide a complete list with descriptions of trails, trail maps and written instructions, along with driving directions.
- Horseback riding on trails overlooking the Pacific.
- Glider rides in the Santa Ynez Valley, as well as paragliding from the mountains above.
- Jeep tours through the back country.
- Skeet and trap shooting.
- Ellwood Mesa Open Space, home to thousands of monarch butterflies during the winter months. The Coronado Butterfly Preserve is another close-by refuge for the beautiful monarch.
- Public gardens, including the 65-acre Botanic Garden and the Zoological Gardens (rated one of America’s best small zoos).
- Private estate and garden tours.
Excursions to the Channel Islands, 124,000 acres on five uninhabited nature preserves, managed by the National Park Service. Accessible by boat (the closest island is about one hour away) or by via small aircraft, the islands are ruggedly beautiful, with over 2000 species of plants and animals. Mostly untouched, the Channel Islands are without restaurants, shops or overnight accommodations (camping is available), but activities are plentiful, including hiking, kayaking, guided nature tours, SCUBA, snorkeling and fishing, along with bird and whale watching – a nature lover’s paradise. The hotel concierge can arrange transportation (by boat or plane), along with gourmet picnic lunches or other snacks for the day trip.
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Events
January/February
- Santa Barbara International Film Festival
March/April
- Santa Barbara International Orchid Show
- Santa Barbara County Vintners’ Festival
May/June
- Santa Barbara Wine Festival
July/August
- California Wine Festival
- Old Spanish Days Fiesta
September/October
- Chumash Pow Wow
- California Lemon Festival
- California Avocado Festival
- Santa Barbara Harbor & Seafood Festival
November/December
- Holiday Parade
- Parade of Lights
