Santa Barbara Sights and Landmarks Guide, California

Sights to see in Santa Barbara, California

Santa Barbara is a city in California, US also known as the California’s south coast. In addition to having good economic conditions including education, finance, healthcare, technology, manufacturing and agriculture, it is also a major resort and tourist destination in the nation. Beyond and in the Mountains of Santa Ynez and behind the city, there is Los Padres National Forest that contains many areas of remote wilderness. The city offers relaxation and escape along with the opportunities of contemplating the ocean, engaging vistas and mountains and exploring a multitude of activities including kayaking, swimming, boating, hiking, jet skiing, wind surfing, whale watching and horse back riding. The best part about the city is its Mediterranean climate.

Touring: The County Courthouse is a masterpiece of architecture featuring lush lawns and tropical gardens. The Stearns Wharf offers a Sea Center which features touch tanks, live displays and an arts and a craft show on Sundays. The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum is the centerpiece of Santa Barbara Harbor which features historical exhibits, floating exhibits and ship models. Santa Barbara Botanic Gardens is a garden spot which offers trails that wind through the desert as well as a canyon. The Santa Barbara Museum of Art features innovative exhibitions and unforgettable collections of Roman and Greek antiquities.

Children’s play: If you are visiting the city with your children, then keeping them occupied is not difficult in Santa Barbara. The Santa Barbara Zoological Gardens has sea lions, giraffes, elephants and lions and the Kid’s World is a community built and community designed playground for children. The Stearns Wharf is also worth a visit.

Beaches: Due to the temperate climate of the region, the visitors are able to enjoy its outdoors throughout the year. East Beach is a large sandy beach located to the east of Stearns Wharf. Many magazines have acclaimed this beach to be the best in the country and it also offers facilities for activities such as showers, volleyball, picnics, beach side grill and a playground. West Beach is located on the west of the Stearns Wharf and provides facilities for kayaking and paddling. It also features playgrounds nearby and a swimming pool for kids in the summer season. Leadbetter Beach is designed for families and there are great facilities including barbeques, showers, restrooms and a Shoreline Beach café. You may run into some celebrities at the Butterfly Beach and there are good facilities for activities such as sunbathing and swimming.

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  review by adam posted more then 30 days ago
  Santa Barbara, which is a halfway point between San Francisco and Los Angeles is easily the most gorgeous and I've ever been to by far. Nicknamed the "American Riviera" because of it's extremely beautiful scenery, wonderful beaches, enjoyable climate and pleasant mountains which...

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