Santa Barbara Travel Guide

Tourists looking for the best places to shop might want to consider Paseo Nuevo, an open-air arcade featuring more than sixty shops and stretching for two whole blocks. Or if shopping where the celebrities go is appealing, Coast Village Road offers one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces, chic fashions, objects d’art and luxury linens. It has been frequented by stars such as Jennifer Lopez, Oprah and John Cleese. For those interested in something off the beaten path fashion-wise, True Grit has a fabulous collection of old decals and 1970s felt letters that can be stamped on T-shirts, panties, hoodies as well as doggie tees.  « hide

For the ultimate in sightseeing, a visitor might want to check out Condor Express for guaranteed whale watching, where humpback, blue, and minke whales as well as orcas, dolphins and other sea mammals live. Condor offers both two hour and half day tours of the Channel Islands, depending upon whale migrations. Tourists might also want to check out the Santa Barbara Museum of Art featuring Asian art, Chinese zodiac figures from the sixth century, and American, and European art starting from the eighteenth century. There are also ninety photographs from Greta Garbo’s private collection. And for paddle sports enthusiasts, Paddle Sports of Santa Barbara offers kayak day trips, full-moon tours, kayak and bike combo trips in the Channel Islands where one can see mammoth sea caves and experience up close encounters with seals and dolphins.  « hide

For the traveler who wants to take in a little golf while on vacation, The Santa Barbara Golf Club is an eighteen-hole course and driving range that is well maintained and offers a moderate challenge for the average golfer. Fees are $30 on weekdays and $40 on weekends. Another place interested golfers might want to try is the Sandpiper. This is an eighteen-hole course with beautiful ocean scenery and is rated one of the top golf courses in the U.S. Weekend greens fees are $130.  « hide

The Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens features sixty-five acres of beautiful native wildflowers, cacti, shrubs and trees in natural settings and offers five-and-a-half miles of nature trails to explore along with an historic dam built in 1806 by native Indians. There are several tours, some self-guided, and others with their knowledgeable docents for both adults and children.  « hide

Stow House and Railroad Museum is a park in Goleta Valley that combines rustic charm with history. There is a Rail Museum onsite as well as a beautifully restored home built in 1873 by a prominent ranching family, which is filled with period furnishing, toys, clothing and other memorabilia. Billed as the oldest frame house in the Valley, Stow House is a fun way for children to learn the local history. The Rail Museum is housed in a restored Victorian-styled Southern Pacific Railroad depot built in 1901 and there is a twenty-five acre lake with walkways all around it. It is located just two miles from the Santa Barbara Airport.  « hide

Wildcat Lounge is the place for the younger set interested in the night life in Santa Barbara. Complete with red vinyl walls, leopard prints, drop-in celebrities, local bands, and eclectic deejays, one is sure to have a swinging time. The music ranges from old school, hip-hop, alternative, rock, to house.  « hide

Q’s Sushi a Go Go is an upscale club for the chic and trendy set. Clientele can start out with dinner then dance the night away to lively dance music. There are also occasional karaoke and Brazilian music themes. Club ranges over three levels with a balcony, pool tables, sushi bar and dance floor. Non-sushi food is also available in the full menu.  « hide