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 Sunset along the Santa Barbara shoreline image credit: Joyce Wade Santa Barbara by Joyce Wade |
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Santa Barbara lured us there a couple weeks ago. Driving north on 101 out of the Los Angeles area, we exited in Ventura at Ventura Harbor. Usually, once a summer, we drive the hour or so to enjoy a meal at one our favorite places in Ventura, called Andria's Seafood Restaurant and Market. Andria's is located on the Marina in Ventura Harbor Village. Meals are ordered and served at the stand-up counter. We like it because it's casual, but excellent. The evening was a delightful temperature so we carried our seafood salad and chowder outside and enjoyed the sea air right next to the marina. Seagulls flew around looking for a handout, adding to the sea atmosphere. After dinner we continued our drive north to Santa Barbara. Because it was the day before a holiday, we decided to reserve a room ahead. After checking various bed and breakfasts, hotels, and motels on the internet, we decided on a room at the Motel 6. Reasonably priced for Santa Barbara, our room charge was $81 using our AAA card and was very comfortable. Kids swam in the pool and free coffee was provided in the registration office each morning. The motel is located in the shadow of the pricey Radisson, within walking distance to the beach and the well-known Stearns Wharf. Within a block is the sprawling Double Tree Hotel, owned by Fess Parker, once famous for playing Davy Crocket and Daniel Boone on television. |
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 Here's an old postcard of downtown Santa Barbara from the 1940s. Those red tile roofs are still a distinctive feature of the city. |
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That evening we drove the three blocks to Stearns Wharf, one of the oldest in California. The wharf dates back to the late 1800s. Part of the wharf burned in 1997 and was rebuilt. It's one of the few wharfs you can drive your car on to park. Free parking becomes available with any purchase at one of the many shops or restaurants on the wharf. We enjoyed a breathtaking sunset from the pier, while watching many fisherman haul in small catches. Leaving the pier, we cruised State Street, the main street in downtown Santa Barbara. The street is alive and well, swarming with people enjoying dinner and drinks. After a good night's sleep, the next morning we checked out of the motel and headed for breakfast. |
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 The beautiful Santa Barbara Mission image credit: Diannek |
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After breakfast, we strolled again to the entrance to the wharf. There we picked up a flyer about the Santa Barbara Trolley. The motorized trolley included a narrated tour of Santa Barbara and nearby ritzy Montecito and lasted 90 minutes. The driver was cordial and extremely well informed, having lived in Santa Barbara for many years. The city is beautiful with well controlled Spanish influenced architecture, and exceptionally clean. We opted to get off the trolley at the Santa Barbara Mission, known for its size and history. |
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 Here's a photo of the mission cemetery. |
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Editor's note: In one of the cemetery flower beds there's a sign that says: "The mission cemetery was laid out in 1789 after the completion of the mission church. It was marked with the ancient symbol over the door. The first Chumash Indian buried here was Christobol of Saspill. More than 4,000 Chumash Indians are buried in this cemetery. There are also tombs and mausoleums of early Spanish families and of later settlers who came to California." I was stunned to read that so many Indians were buried in this very small cemetery. Of course, there are no grave markers for them and one can only imagine how such a burial feat was carried out. The Europeans and early settlers' graves are marked but this small sign is the only remembrance of all those many Chumash. |
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On the day we were there, they were hosting a quality craft faire right in front of the mission. We strolled first through the mission, paying a small fee to tour the premises. The chapel was extraordinary and is still in use. Off the chapel is an old, small cemetery. |
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What a treat to see a priest strolling the outside corridor in his brown robe. |
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trolley returned an hour and half later. We
boarded and continued the tour further, roaming through the residential
area while our narrator filled us in on many interesting facts about Santa
Barbara. For $11, the tour is not
to be missed.
Next up, we drove about 45 minutes to nearby Santa Ynez Valley. In this valley is one of California's hidden treasures. Grapes grow lushly awaiting the crushing around October to produce some of California's well known award-winning wines. We stopped at Fess Parker's beautiful winery and did a bit of wine tasting, free with the purchase of a bottle. We finally settled on a great Reisling. We then toured the facility with another couple, who were interested in having their wedding on the grounds there. The tour was excellent and informative and free. Just a short distance from there is the charming Danish community of Solvang. Since my ancestry is Danish on my mother's side, I enjoy the open faced Danish sandwiches available in many restaurants there I don't know of another place you can get these, and Solvang is always worth a stop. Loaded with shops and restaurants, the town is all done up in a way that you almost feel you're in Denmark. After lunch, we headed back to Los Angeles on the 101, about an hour an a half away. It was a great short trip, and just a hop, skip and a jump from our home in Los Angeles. |
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Santa Barbara Guidebook: Getting
There: Ventura and Santa
Barbara are off the 101 Freeway, approximately 90 miles north of Los
Angeles. Where
to Stay: The Radisson, 1111 East Cabrillo Blvd., Santa Barbara, CA 93103. Phone 805-963-0744. Fax 805-962-0985. Rates vary seasonally. Doubles begin at $169. I Fess Parker’s Double Tree Resort, 633 E. Cabrillo Blvd., Santa Barbara, CA 93103.
Phone 805-564-4333. Fax
805-962-8198. Rates vary seasonally. Doubles
begin at $369. Where
to Eat: Sambos, 216 W. Cabrillo
Blvd. Santa Barbara, CA 93103. Phone 805-965-3269.
Breakfast and lunch, moderate prices. Bit ‘O Denmark,
472 Alisal, Solvang, CA. Phone
805-688-5426. Fax 805-688-9204 Other Information: Fess Parker Winery, 6200
Foxen Canyon Rd., Los Olivos, CA.93441. Phone 800-841-1104.
Fax 805-686-1130. Internet: www.fessparker.com Santa Barbara Trolley, 805-965-0353 Internet: www.sbtrolley.com |
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