Santa Barbara, CA

Interesting things to do

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

1212 Mission Canyon Road. 805.682.4726. http://www.sbbg.org 9 am to 6 pm March – October; 9 am to 5 pm November – February. Closed for holidays and special events.

Mission Santa Barbara

Old El Paseo

A beautiful, old pedestrian mall in the historic part of town.

Bike paths

Enjoy a ride along Atascadero (Creek) Bike Path and many others. Santa Barbara has had great bike paths since the 1970s. http://www.sbbike.org/region/rides/rides.html

UCSB

Enjoy the libraries, the tide pool research center, and the college-town of Isla Vista.

Beaches

Arroyo Burro

Parking is tough here, but this beach has great cliffside walks, and it faces the sunset.

Chase Palm Park

Adjacent to Stearn's Wharf; Look for the arts and crafts sales on weekends.

East Beach

Beach volleyball every day all day.

Dining

When the weather's nice, which is most days, take a picnic to one of the many peaceful parks around town.

Sojourner Cafe

Post-hippie fare. 134 E Canon Perdido St.

La Super Rica

Famous tacos. Tortillas made-to-order.

Day Trips

North and West

Solvang

Danish village

Lake Cachuma

East

Ojai

Funky town, known to me for its elephant on roller-skates and an early electric-vehicle shop.

Rincon

Surfing.