California's Riviera   Santa Barbara | Goleta

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Santa Barbara

Located along California's scenic central coast, Santa Barbara has long been a popular destination for locals, celebrities, and vacationers from all over the world. The coastline of Santa Barbara has aptly been dubbed "California's Riviera" - because of its mild climate, easy lifestyle, and pristine beaches.

Santa Barbara takes pride in its rich cultural and historical heritage. In 1782, El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park became the first Spanish outpost in the area. Historic buildings within the park include the 1788 El Cuartel, the second-oldest surviving structure in California. Mission Santa Barbara, established on Dec. 4, 1786 - the Feast of St. Barbara - is the 10th of 21 California missions. Called "Queen of the Missions," its pink brick façade is the city's centerpiece, and is one of Santa Barbara's "must-sees."

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The city's Old Spanish Days Fiesta takes place in early August and attracts thousands of visitors from far and wide. The Santa Barbara Arts and Crafts Show, in Chase Palm Park, features the works of more than 300 artists and craftspeople and is held Sundays and holidays year around. It's worth the trip to the Santa Barbara Courthouse for the 360 degree view you can see of the city from its historic clock tower. Santa Barbara Zoological Gardens, a 40-Acre park, has 80 exhibits displaying more than 600 animals their natural habitats, as well as picnic areas, a playground and a miniature train. The landscaped grounds also include a fine botanical collection.

Built in 1872, Stearns Wharf is a landmark in Santa Barbara and originally served cargo and passenger ships as the longest deep water pier between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Throughout the Prohibition era, it was the departure point for people boarding floating casinos, while during World War II the wharf served as a naval installation. Now, the wharf plays host to a myriad of shops and restaurants, most notably the Harbor Restaurant, built in 1941.

Santa Barbara boasts its own Art Museum, Natural History Museum, Symphony Orchestra, several live theatre venues and hundreds of restaurants to satisfy even the most discerning of palates. Several world-class wineries are a short drive away in the Santa Ynez Valley, while many outdoor activities, including sailing, hiking and and events draw young and old alike.

Goleta

Eight miles west of Santa Barbara is the coastal city of Goleta. For centuries, the area was largely an agricultural region, but by the mid-1950's, the aerospace industry began to assert its dominance. Today, the city is a major center for high-tech firms and is a well-known bedroom community for University of California, Santa Barbara students. In fact, our Ramada is one of the most popular hotels in the Goleta area.

Goleta has beautiful parks, including Stow Park, Lake Los Carneros, and the newly designated Ellwood Open Space on the bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Goleta Beach County Park is just outside of the city limits.

Panoramic photo of Santa Barbara courtesy of Steve Pinker.