Visit Santa Barbara's beautiful landmarks and beaches with me!

On this Labor Day Weekend

visit one or all of 

Santa Barbara's Amazing Landmarks

Many are FREE  and open to the public

or for a nominal entrance fee

offer tours

 Begin at the Queen of the Missions

Mission Santa Barbara

located at the Top of Garden Street

tours of the Mission Grounds are available

be sure to walk across to the incredible Rose Gardens

travel down Garden Street to

Alice Keck Park

4.6 acres bordered by Santa Barbara,

Micheltorena, Garden and Arrellaga Streets

previously known as the El Mirasol Hotel

this property was bequeathed to the City of SB

by Alice Keck to be made into a public park

directly across the street is 

Alameda Park, 

aka Children's Park

 8000 sf of play ground 

where the fabulous playgrounds were donated and built

by Santa Barbara Community volunteers

traveling down Garden Street we arrive at the

incredibly beautiful Mission Revival Style

Santa Barbara County Court House

Featuring gorgeous Architecture along with amazing

gardens, a clock tower, and restored fountain.

Tours of the Courthouse and Clock Tower available.

Don't be surprised to see a wedding taking place.

Bring a picnic and enjoy the gardens.

If you wish to get a peek of Downtown Santa Barbara

turn right to State Street and travel down State Street

to view the Downtown Retail area

featuring shops, boutiques, restaurants and side-walk cafes

Paseo Nuevo revitalized down town SB

(if you want to park your car in one of the City lots, 

you can travel the entire length of State Street (getting on and off

at any of the Trolley stops) from 

Victoria to Stearns Wharf and back

for a stipend)

Below is a photo of the La Arcada Promenade

Travel all the way down State Street to

Cabrillo Boulevard featuring the Beaches and Harbor areas

 Stearns Wharf offers parking on the Wharf or at Cabrillo Boulvard

in a City Parking Lot

Walking the Wharf is a fun experience but requires good

walking shoes and some stamina. The Wharf itself does offer

some handi-capped parking spots

Plan a fabulous dinner at the Harbor Restaurant, or a casual

refreshment upstairs at Long Board's Grill, ice cream and 

candy shops, wine tasting and beach retail

Further along the Wharf is Moby Dick's Restaurant

and for a casual fabulous local sea cuisine, The Fish House!

Santa Barbara Natural History Museum's

Ty Warner Sea Center 

 Wonderful  Sea and Do Science for all ages

Sabado Domingo Art Show

along Cabrillo Boulevard

starting at Stearns Wharf

every Sunday 11-5

this is a fully juried arts and crafts show

traveling West on Cabrillo Boulevard

we come to the 

Santa Barbara Harbor 

and Marine Museum

open to the public (fee) 

Two wonderful restaurant housed in the same building

Chuck's Waterfront Grill and the Endless Summer Car Cafe

Further down the Breakwater is the very 

popular Brophy Bros Restaurant.  Go early if you want

to enjoy this local hang-out!

This is a working harbor where you can

watch local fisherman come in with their catch and

the Coast Guards' Ship on duty

along with the many private boats anchored here.

Walking all the way along the Break Water you will

pass the private Yacht Club and get a wonderful view

of our public beaches and recreational activities!

Life's a Beach!

one more trip West along Cabrillo Boulevard brings you

 to popular local Lead Better Beach across from the beautiful

Santa Barbara Community College Campus

(view from the Campus from CC Website)

The beachside parking lot provides parking for the

 Breakwater and Harbor, along with the BBQ 

area of Lead Better Beach where many local activities 

happen and is a popular surfing and windsurfing spot

View of Lead Better Beach

continue driving West on Cabrillo Boulevard which

at this point becomes Shoreline Drive

you will be driving along 

Shoreline Park

A favorite local spot for walking people, kids and dogs,

flying kites, taking photos of the magnificent shoreline, picnicking

or climbing down to the beach on the 1000 Steps

I've never counted the steps!

One more stop!

Keep driving along Shoreline Drive...

which runs into Cliff Drive, take a left

and drive all the way to the stop sign at the 

bottom of Cliff Dr where there is a 4-way stop.

Keep going straight (after making the stop!)

Welcome to Arroyo Burro Beach, 

known only to locals as

Hendry's Beach

my personal favorite!

a very popular local beach where many

young surfers learn to surf, great for body surfing

large sand beach area, lots of tide pools, free parking

and dogs on a leash allowed.

The Boat House Restaurant has a take out section

along with a delightful outdoor patio and indoor seating.

Excellent food!  Very popular spot!

The end for now!

time to enjoy a glass of Santa Barbara

County Wine

My next Tour will take you to Montecito, Summerland 

and Carpinteria! Stay tuned!

Have a Fabulous Labor Day Weekend!