For more than a century this city has been a getaway for residents of Los Angeles. Prior to the time when Hollywood and the film industry became synonymous, most silent movies were produced here. Native American settlements could be found here as early as ten thousand years ago, and the town has survived at least two major earthquakes in the past two hundred years. Santa Barbara, CA today is a thriving city that has become a popular destination.
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.
It is also a good place to stop and explore before heading up the central coast to the wineries in the Santa Ynez region, as well as legendary Hearst Castle, which has been preserved in an elegant time warp. The region has been dubbed the American Riviera because of the balmy seaside climate. Many visitors book an excursion to the Channel Islands, a protected group of offshore ocean mountaintops hosting unique wildlife.
Stearns Wharf is a well-known landmark. It juts into the sea at the end of State Street, and has existed in various forms since 1872. The structure has endured several natural disasters, and today is home to restaurants and stores, as well as the Natural History Sea Center. People come here not only for fine dining, but also just to experience the natural beauty of ocean surf on one side, and the hills behind.
For nature lovers, the Botanic Garden is a peaceful haven filled with displays of native and exotic plants. Tours are available, but visitors are also encouraged to stroll at on their own down the carefully maintained pathways to enjoy a changing panorama of vegetation unique to Southern California. Portions have been designated a County Historical Landmark.
History buffs will appreciate the Old Mission, founded in 1786 by a Franciscan Friar. Called the Queen of the Mission Stations, it was the tenth one begun by the Franciscans, and was originally completed by native American artisans. While there has been extensive restoration to repair earthquake damage, the newly reinforced facade is a good representation of its heyday.
Additional notable sights include the historical Casa de la Guerra, a kind of community center that was used for various purposes, and which is now a portion of the El Pasea, a neighborhood intentionally imitating a Spanish street. The original city Presidio, a military fortress, became tactically irrelevant after the arrival of Americans in 1846, but the original soldier quarters and a few rooms are still intact.
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.
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.
It is also a good place to stop and explore before heading up the central coast to the wineries in the Santa Ynez region, as well as legendary Hearst Castle, which has been preserved in an elegant time warp. The region has been dubbed the American Riviera because of the balmy seaside climate. Many visitors book an excursion to the Channel Islands, a protected group of offshore ocean mountaintops hosting unique wildlife.
Stearns Wharf is a well-known landmark. It juts into the sea at the end of State Street, and has existed in various forms since 1872. The structure has endured several natural disasters, and today is home to restaurants and stores, as well as the Natural History Sea Center. People come here not only for fine dining, but also just to experience the natural beauty of ocean surf on one side, and the hills behind.
For nature lovers, the Botanic Garden is a peaceful haven filled with displays of native and exotic plants. Tours are available, but visitors are also encouraged to stroll at on their own down the carefully maintained pathways to enjoy a changing panorama of vegetation unique to Southern California. Portions have been designated a County Historical Landmark.
History buffs will appreciate the Old Mission, founded in 1786 by a Franciscan Friar. Called the Queen of the Mission Stations, it was the tenth one begun by the Franciscans, and was originally completed by native American artisans. While there has been extensive restoration to repair earthquake damage, the newly reinforced facade is a good representation of its heyday.
Additional notable sights include the historical Casa de la Guerra, a kind of community center that was used for various purposes, and which is now a portion of the El Pasea, a neighborhood intentionally imitating a Spanish street. The original city Presidio, a military fortress, became tactically irrelevant after the arrival of Americans in 1846, but the original soldier quarters and a few rooms are still intact.
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.
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