Introducing Santa Barbara
Is Santa Barbara California’s best-smelling city? The jasmine, orange blossoms, hyacinth and more certainly do their part. Certainly it’s fitting that Santa Barbara smells good, it’s that kind of place.
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Sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean and Santa Ynez Mountains, Santa Barbara is affluent and pretty, with red-tile roofs, white stucco and a seaside lassitude reminiscent of the Mediterranean. It’s a highlight of the Central Coast and you should not whiz by on Hwy 101 without stopping. The problem will be getting back on the road.
Five colleges in the area, including the University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB), give the town a youthful vivacity and balance its yachting and retirement communities. Downtown Santa Barbara has outstanding architectural integrity, a masterpiece of a courthouse, noteworthy cultural institutions, superb shopping and seductive nightlife.
Last updated: May 8, 2009
Tips & articles
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Santa Barbara: California’s perfect weekend getaway
5 May 2012
Okay so we all know the hotspots when travelling to California: San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego. But why...
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California’s top 5 secret weekend escapes
24 April 2012
Most Californians moved here from someplace else, but that doesn’t stop us from boasting about the Golden State’s coastline like...
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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RE: Yet Another US Road Trip - Timing Question
by ianw6705 28 May 2012
We're moving towards settling our trip, and the Californian component now looks like this: · Mel - Los Angeles (Fly) · Santa Barbara…
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RE: Old Towns
by clodbod 23 May 2012
From LAX to SFO. Santa Barbara, Cauycous, Cambria, Carmel, Pacific Grove, Capitola, and my home town, Los Gatos. Ignore Carrcar. Most…
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RE: Old Towns
by johnsang 23 May 2012
The only things comparable that I am aware of or can think of right now are Cambria, San Juan Bautista, perhaps parts of San Luis Obispo…
