DESTINATION

Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara traces its history back to the earliest days of Spanish settlement in Upper California. In 1602 Spanish conquistador Sebastián Vizcaíno sailed into Santa Barbara Bay and named it for the saint born on that day. A military fortress was established in 1782; the mission was founded 4 years later by Father Fermín Francisco de Lasuén.

Santa Barbara's heritage is evident in its many whitewashed, tile-roofed buildings and Spanish street names. Among the city's historic adobe buildings are the 1817 Casa Covarrubias, 715 Santa Barbara St., the 1836 Historic Adobe, next to the Covarrubias and the 1826 Hill-Carrillo Adobe at 11-15 E. Carrillo St. Most of the structures are closed to the public but one of the city’s fun things to do is to take a self-guiding walking tour to see them. Maps are available from The Chamber of the Santa Barbara Region at 1 Garden St.

Chase Palm Park, along the beach at 236 E. Cabrillo Blvd. just below Stearns Wharf, is the site of free summer concerts and a Sunday arts and crafts show. It also offers a carousel, fountains and a playground; phone (805) 564-5418. SEA Landing, 301 W. Cabrillo Blvd., on Santa Barbara's harborfront, offers personal watercraft rentals, sport fishing and diving charters, dinner excursions and whale-watching cruises; phone (805) 963-3564.

In late July or early August each year, Santa Barbara celebrates its heritage with Old Spanish Days Fiesta.

Next door to Santa Barbara, the wealthy enclave of Montecito has many early 20th-century Mediterranean and Spanish Colonial Revival mansions. Among them at 1387 E. Valley Rd. is Casa del Herrero , a beautifully preserved 1925 home surrounded by formal gardens. Ninety-minute tours are given Wed. and Sat. at 10 and 2; children under 10 are not permitted on tours. Reservations are required; phone (805) 565-5653.

The 6,600-acre Cachuma Lake Recreation Area, 30 minutes northwest of Santa Barbara on SR 154, is home to fish, deer, bobcats and 275 species of birds, including wintering bald eagles. In addition to the usual amenities of a first-rate public park with camping facilities (including rental cabins and yurts), Cachuma offers miniature golfing, pools and naturalist-guided lake cruises. For general information, phone (805) 686-5054 or (805) 686-5055.

Visitor Centers

The Chamber of the Santa Barbara Region 1 Garden St. Santa Barbara, CA 93101. Phone:(805)965-3021

Self-guiding tours:

Maps of the Red Tile Walking Tour, which covers a section of downtown roughly bordered by Victoria, Santa Barbara, de la Guerra and State streets, are available from the information center near Stearns Wharf and at the County Courthouse visitors center. Some half-dozen winery tasting rooms comprise the core of the city's Urban Wine Trail, along Anacapa and Yanonali streets between US 101 and the waterfront. Maps are available at the information center near Stearns Wharf.

Shopping in Santa Barbara

Macy's anchors the more than 40 establishments in La Cumbre Plaza at State Street and La Cumbre Road. There are some 60 upscale shops and restaurants at Paseo Nuevo, on State Street between Cañon Perdido and Ortega streets.