HAVING FUN IN SANTA BARBARA



Santa Barbara is a small city with small town charm and big city amenities, located on one of the most striking stretches of shoreline in the world. It's geographical position--nestled between the ocean and the mountains--make for unbeatable natural beauty. And the Mediterranean grace of its architecture--its mission is the "jewel" of the California missions, and its courthouse one of the most beautiful buildings in the country--has only added to the beauty of the land. Despite its small size (population 90,000), it boasts art and natural history museums, a zoo, a sea center, a symphony, an opera, an outdoor bowl featuring major musical events and many other theaters and musical venues, several publicly-accessible golf courses, boating tours of the shoreline and nearby islands, numerous parks, and world-class shopping--all within minutes of a shoreline that includes a pier with the requisite taffy shop, ocean-view restaurants, a yacht club, an early 1900's carousel, free outdoor concerts, a weekly art walk, a skating park, beach volleyball, and extensive bike paths.

The climate in Santa Barbara is moderate, too: daytime temperatures range from average highs of 66° in January to 76° in July, with cooler evenings. And everything Santa Barbara has to offer is contained in just a few square miles, making it a wonderfully stress-free vacation destination whether you're traveling with a family, taking a romantic vacation for two, or traveling on your own. President and Mrs. Kennedy honeymooned in the area, President Reagan's ranch is not far away, and the area boasts an amazing list of world famous residents, including television and movie stars, fashion models, authors and artists. Why not you?

For a map of some of our favorite Santa Barbara haunts, as well as nearby grocery stores and coffee shops, Click Here

Watch "West Coast Riviera," a CNN video on Santa Barbara
 

Great Ways to Spend a Santa Barbara Day - all within Minutes of the House

Go Surfing/Boogie Boarding when the Tide is up, or Tidepooling when its Down - Check Tide Table for times

Walk a Block Up the Hill to Elings Park, Santa Barbara's Favorite Spot for Parasailing and Hang Gliding, and enjoy 360&deg View of Santa Barbara. Or Learn to Parasail Yourself

Visit Stern's Wharf - and don't miss the Ty Warner Sea Center if you're traveling with kids

Rent a Surrey or Bikes and Cruise the Oceanfront Bike Path

Cruise the Shoreline or the Islands on a Charter Ship

Tour the Courthouse, one of the country's most beautiful National Landmarks, or the Mission

Spend a few hours at the Zoo, just across the road from East Beach

Horsebackriding!

Whalewatching

Rent a Kayak to Tour the Coast, or Learn How To.
You can also Kayak the Channel Island Caves; tours leave from Venura or Oxnard (30-45 minute drive)

Watch a Polo Match at the Polo Grounds

Tour a Winery or Two - Or more with the Sideways Tour Map in hand

Relax on the patio or cook dinner on the grill while your favorite music plays over the speakers and your children swim in the pool. Or swim with them, or course!

Hike the Mountain Canyons with the Sierra Club

Golf courses:
Santa Barbara Golf Club
Glen Annie Golf Club
Sandpiper Golf Course

Public tennis courts at Las Positas, down the hill: Las Positas

Explore Lotusland (reservations required) or the Botanic Garden

Attend one of our annual Festivals -  Jazz, Gems, Sandcastles, Horses, Lemons, Books & Authors, France, the Summer Solstice and more

Antique Shows, Horse Shows and more at The Earl Warren Showgrounds

Check Out the Santa Barbara Museum of Art , Visit Santa Barbara's Art Galleries or an Artist's Studio, or stroll the Sunday Art Walk along the Beach at Stern's Wharf

Visit on of Santa Barbara's other Museums, including the Karpeles Manuscript Library, and the Natural History Museum, one of the best small museums in the country

And Even More!

 


Ride the Carousel in Chase Palm Park

Skate or Skateboard at Skater's Point near Stern's Wharf

Take Parasailing Lessons just a Five Minute Walk Up the Hill

Play Games in the Pool

Tour the Mission

Rent a Surrey and Pedal Together

Cruise the Coast

Build a Sandcastle

Ride Horses

Watch Dolphins Play Offshore

Stroll State Street during Tuesday Farmer's Market

Play Cards while Sipping Coffee or Eating Burgers on State Street

State Street Evening Shopping

Free Symphony Concert at the Courthouse

Lunch or Dinner on the Beach



 

Great Ways to Spend a Santa Barbara Evening- all within Minutes of the House

Take a Moonlight Stroll on the Beach

Watch the Moonrise over the Patio, from the Warmth of the Spa (Suits Optional)

Eat Out at one of Santa Barbara's Restaurants. Our Favorite Cheap Eat is La Superica, 622 N. Milpas.

Attend Music, Dance or Theater at The Lobero Theater

Check Out one of Santa Barbara's Many Music Venue Offerings

Attend a Reading, Lecture or Performance at University of California at Santa Barbara

Stroll State for Evening Shopping or People-Watching, Street Music Performances, Jugglers and More.

Tuesday evening is Farmer's Market! Stroll the 500 and 600 blocks of State Street (closed to traffic) for fresh fruit and veggies, olive oil, honey, kettle corn and all sorts of good eats as well as music and street acts: 4-7:30 in Summer, 3-6:30 in Winter

Relax at the Santa Barbara Bowl, a wonderfully intimate outdoor performance venue that has hosted Sheryl Crow, Don Henley, and other major acts


Santa Barbara Weather

Month alt Avg. High alt Avg. Low alt Mean alt Avg. Precip. alt Record High alt Record Low
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Jan alt 64°F alt 45°F alt 55°F alt 4.14 in. alt 89°F (1962) alt 20°F (1949)
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Feb alt 65°F alt 47°F alt 56°F alt 4.68 in. alt 89°F (1995) alt 27°F (1949)
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Mar alt 66°F alt 48°F alt 57°F alt 3.59 in. alt 96°F (1988) alt 30°F (1953)
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Apr alt 69°F alt 50°F alt 60°F alt 0.77 in. alt 101°F (1989) alt 30°F (1970)
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May alt 70°F alt 53°F alt 61°F alt 0.35 in. alt 101°F (1968) alt 36°F (1991)
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Jun alt 72°F alt 56°F alt 64°F alt 0.09 in. alt 103°F (1990) alt 42°F (1943)
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Jul alt 75°F alt 59°F alt 67°F alt 0.01 in. alt 108°F (1937) alt 44°F (1948)
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Aug alt 77°F alt 60°F alt 68°F alt 0.03 in. alt 99°F (1978) alt 46°F (1993)
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Sep alt 75°F alt 59°F alt 67°F alt 0.29 in. alt 105°F (1978) alt 38°F (1948)
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Oct alt 73°F alt 55°F alt 64°F alt 0.52 in. alt 103°F (1950) alt 34°F (1935)
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Nov alt 69°F alt 49°F alt 59°F alt 1.48 in. alt 97°F (1956) alt 28°F (1931)
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Dec alt 65°F alt 45°F alt 55°F alt 2.63 in. alt 92°F (1958) alt 25°F (1948)

 

Traveling to Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is easily accessible by air, train, car or bus. It's 90 miles north of Los Angeles (a ninety minute drive if you don't hit traffic in the L.A. area, or a 2.5 hour train ride) and about 330 miles south of San Francisco (about a five hour drive). Its airport is small and easy to negotiate, and flights available frequently throughout the day from Los Angeles, San Francisco, and elsewhere throughout the country.

More detailed information and directions to Mesa Paradise can be found here.

Tips for Enjoying the House

Tips about how to operate the spa, stereo, etc. can be found here.