Looking for a restaurant with views? This is a great place to enjoy a seafood lunch overlooking the ocean. Today, this tourist magnet is home to specialty shops restaurants and the Sea Center, one of two sites of the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. Stearns Wharf was built in 1872 and was, at the time, the longest deep-water pier between Los Angeles and San Francisco. This iconic Santa Barbara pier sits at the bottom of State Street, in the heart of the waterfront tourist area, and a stroll along here to snap some photos is one of the best free things to do in Santa Barbara. Stearns Wharf offers breathtaking views of the harbor and beaches, backed by the Santa Ynez Mountains. Stearns Wharf Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara A romantic picnic here is one of the best things to do in Santa Barbara for couples.Īddress: 2201 Laguna Street, Santa Barbara, CaliforniaĢ. Here, many prominent early Spaniards, as well as 4,000 Chumash Indians, found their last resting place.Īfter visiting the mission, wander across the street and explore the ruins of the old mission aqueduct, built by the Chumash Indians in 1806.Īlso save time to explore the fragrant Mission Rose Garden. Especially worth seeing is the beautiful La Huerta Historical Garden, with mission-era plants such as citrus, grapes, pomegranates, and prickly pear.Īnother stop on a self-guided tour is the cemetery. Today, the mission serves as a parish church – an evocative place to attend a Sunday service.Īlso within the complex is a museum, with art pieces from the colonial period and many interesting artifacts. Highlights include its Roman temple facade, the twin towers (which are unique among the missions), and colonial-era art and sculptures. ![]() It was completed in 1820 and was built by Chumash Indians under the leadership of Father Antonio Ripoli after an earthquake destroyed the original chapel and surrounding buildings in 1812. One of the top places to visit is the church. Most visitors spend an hour or two taking a self-guided tour, and scheduled docent-led tours are available on certain days. This is the only California mission to remain with the Franciscans since its founding in 1786, and a community of Franciscan friars still lives here today. ![]() In 1925, a major earthquake destroyed much of Santa Barbara, and it was rebuilt in Spanish Colonial Revival style, inspired by Mission Santa Barbara. Called the "Queen of the Missions" for its graceful beauty and picturesque setting, this distinctive building shaped the look of the entire city. Mission Santa Barbara is the city's most iconic landmark. Mission Santa Barbara Mission Santa Barbara | Photo Copyright: Brian Hastings Plan your trip to the "American Riviera" with our list of the top attractions and things to do in Santa Barbara.ġ. Favorites include Old Spanish Days (Fiesta) in August and the Summer Solstice Parade in June. Santa Barbara also hosts a busy line-up of festivals throughout the year. Families will find plenty of things to do with kids, too, from visiting the Santa Barbara Zoo to biking along the beachfront. Its museums cover everything from natural history to the sea, and Mission Santa Barbara is one of the most beautiful of all California's missions. World-class performances in dance, music, and theater grace the stages of Santa Barbara's many art venues. While you're visiting, take advantage of this glorious setting to get out in nature: explore some of Santa Barbara's scenic hiking trails, stroll along the palm-lined waterfront, go whale watching, and bask on the beautiful beaches.Ĭulture vultures are also in for a treat. The Santa Ynez Mountains back the sun-soaked shoreline, glowing pink in the late afternoon light, and the Channel Islands sit just offshore. ![]() ![]() View of Santa Barbara from Stearns Wharf | Photo Copyright: Karen Hastingsīeauty comes naturally to Santa Barbara. Visit this famous Southern California beach town, about two hour's drive north of Los Angeles, and you'll find all this and so much more. Santa Barbara: Just the name conjures images of gorgeous palm-lined beaches, glamorous homes, and elegant Spanish-style architecture.
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