Would-be
visitors to California may be lured to the Pacific coast by either Los Angeles
or San Francisco - two attraction-packed cities with much to offer tourists. Those
with time to spare might consider a drive along cliff-hugging Highway 1 between
the two tourist meccas. It may even be worth spending the majority of your time
stopping along this breathtaking route, where the journey is just as important
as your end destination.
For
those who prefer to avoid a white-knuckled drive hugging the cliff side of the
road, travel north from Los Angeles, a lane away from the edge. In that direction
you'll see these reasons to stop and enjoy more that just the scenery.
Santa
Barbara County - The city of Santa Barbara is located 92 miles north of Los
Angeles and 332 miles south of San Francisco. Travel there along Highway 1, and
be certain to also visit some of the other cities in the county, such as Carpinteria,
Montecito and Solvang. Some 100 miles of stunning Pacific coastline, an impressive
wine country, and the Channel Islands National Park give visitors another reason
to linger awhile.
With
over 300 days of sunshine, there is plenty of perfect weather for exploring area
attractions. Orient yourself to the city of Santa Barbara with a self-guided Red
Tile Walking Tour that will showcase architectural gems. The city is dotted with
historic adobe structures and missions. Stop at the Mission Santa Barbara - founded
in 1786 and the only one of California's 21 missions to be continuously occupied
and used since its founding. The Santa Barbara Museum of Art is known for American,
Asian and European collections, while the Museum of Natural History features nine
halls of exhibits, including dioramas, marine displays and more.
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Mission
Santa Barbara
Photo: Robert Holmes
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Outdoor
attractions include seven 18-hole championship golf courses, nine beaches, horseback
riding ranches, and bird-watching sites, such as the Andree Clark Bird Refuge.
Stroll
the city streets and paseos (pathways) to upscale
local shops and boutiques. A very different walk
along Sterns Wharf, the oldest operating wharf on
the West Coast, will take you to seafood restaurants,
while a stroll through the Santa Barbara Zoological
Gardens treats families to sightings of over 500
animals and a botanic garden. (CONTINUED...)
