|
|
|
|
THINGS
TO DO IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA |
|
|
|
Santa
Barbara California Day Trip
|
|
|
|
|
Santa
Barbara
is within easy day trip distance from Los Angeles.
If you are planning on making the journey get an early
start because there are plenty of things to do in this
beautiful coastal city. Traffic permitting you can make
the trip in a little over two hours.
Another option is the Amtrak
Pacific Surfliner train which takes about three hours,
but you don't have to worry about getting stuck in traffic.
The Amtrak train station is on State Street and the beach
and Stearns Wharf are only a few blocks away.
Most first time visitors to Santa Barbara head to Stearns
Wharf which sits at the end of State Street. On the historic
pier are several restaurants plus you can take in some
really stunning views of Santa Barbara and the mountains
beyond. There is paid parking on the pier and metered
parking on the streets. If you don't mind a walking you
can find some streets that have free parking.
A great way to get acquainted with Santa Barbara is by
renting a beach cruiser or surrey from one of the rental
shops that line the beach. There are miles of bike paths
to explore however most people are happy following the
trail from Stearns Wharf to Shoreline Park and back.
Inland on the other side of the freeway downtown Santa
Barbara streets are lined with one-of-a-kind boutiques,
art galleries, trendy shop and outlets. Dining in Santa
Barbara ranges from the usual fast food outlets all the
way up to gourmet cuisine.
If you plan your trip or stay to Santa Barbara ahead it
can be an affordable destination. On the other hand if
money is not a factor there are plenty of places to spend
your money. Rich or poor Santa Barbara has something for
everyone and a great place for a trip. |
|
|
Santa Barbara Coast |
Santa Barbara has the best mid size zoo on the west coast
and the Santa Barbara Zoo
should be on the top of your list. Stearns Wharf is Santa
Barbara's most visited landmark and has a great view of
the mountains and the city. Mission
Santa Barbara is s one of the most beautiful in California
and well worth checking out.
Near Mission Santa Barbara is the Santa Barbara Botanic
Garden which exhibits native plants of California native
in beautifully designed landscapes. South
Coast Railroad Museum is located in Goleta California
is just a few miles north of Santa Barbara. Solvang
and the Santa Barbara wine county are a short drive away.
Shopping, dining and world class resorts are all part of
Santa Barbara. Accommodations in Santa Barbara run from
moderately
priced motels to no holds spared high end resorts. Santa
Barbara makes a great day trip from the Los Angeles area.
If your traveling from San Diego or other distant locations
its best to spend a couple of days in order to enjoy all
Santa Barbara has to offer.
One of the most popular activities for tourist
to do in Santa Barbara is to bike ride. There are several
vedors offer rentals including:
Open Air Bicycles, rent by the day or week next to the Santa
Barbara Amtrak station, so you can get off the train and
onto a bike.
Santa Barbara Bikes To-Go - Rent "top of the line"
road bikes, triathlon bikes, mountain or hybrid bikes. Free
Santa Barbara area delivery to hotel, residence or Amtrak
station. Phone 617-3364.
Santa Barbara Pedicab - Rent a pedicab with driver to take
you to or from special events or destinations in the central
Santa Barbara area. Pick up at local hotels. Phone ahead
453-2759 to reserve one.
Wheel Fun Rentals - Rent a mountain bike, beach cruiser,
trike or 4-wheel surrey by the hour, day or week. Charge
the rental fees to your room if you are staying at the DoubleTree:
22 State Street, 966-2282, 23 East Cabrillo Boulevard, 966-2282,
633 East Cabrillo Boulevard. |
Santa Barbara coastal bike trail |
Santa Barbara bike rentals |
For families on a budget camping is an
affordable option while visiting Santa Barbara. Carpinteria
State Park offers swimming,
surfing, tide pools and camping. Sea Lions and whales
are often seen in season. Carpinteria
Beach has been voted one of the best campgrounds in the
country and is 12
miles south of Santa Barbara.
El Capitan State
Park has lots
of tide pools along with a sandy beach for swimming and
surfing. Stairway access from bluff to the beach. Day
use and over night camping. Lots
of trails for hiking, biking and spectacular views of
the coast and mountains.
Gaviota State Park
offers extensive
hiking trails in the surrounding hills and valleys. Historic
pier used for fishing and divers. Boat launch by hoist
from pier. Popular beach for day
use and overnight camping
Refugio State Park
- Palm
trees give campground distinctive look. 3 mile bike trail
runs along the beach to El Capitan Beach. There
are 66 camping sites all on the ocean side of highway
101.
Santa Barbara is about 90 miles north
of Los Angeles, well within day trip distance. To really
enjoy Santa Barbara and the surrounding area consider
spending at least one night to give you time to take in
all the local attractions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Santa
Barbara Zoo
best medium size zoo Southern California.
On the coast Santa Barbara |
|
| Santa
Barbara Inn
private balconies or patio for your leisure free
wireless Internet. |
|
Lake
Cachuma is renowned
for its natural beauty and variety of fun things
to do. |
|
|
Jalama
Beach Park is a secluded
beach one hours drive from Santa Barbara. Beach
camping. |
|
|
