Huge parking lot on the side. It is the oldest wooden wharf in California and still in use today.It is located on State Street, home to over 17 businesses, an educational facility and a market for Santa Barbara shellfish.If you are looking for something to do, this was once the longest deep-water pier in Santa Barbara. On hot days it's not so easy to take your time and explore but it's a wide and peaceful area. There is a little bit of hiking. There are so many wonderful tasting wines. We will definitely be back! The Garden also offers many classes and seminars on topics such as bird identification. With a history dating back to the early 1870s, Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara is the Golden States most aged wooden wharf and has been in continuous use since it was constructed. The tour is worth taking and exploring the art, workmanship and history of the indigenous peoples and Missionaries. Stearns Wharf is indisputably the most beautiful wharf on the California coast. Built in 1786, by Franciscan monks the church sports stunning architecture complete with grand bell towers, columns, and arches set against the background of the stunning Santa Ynez Mountainside. The Santa Barbara County Courthouse is arguably one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. I thought the whole trip was worth the price. The garden focuses on California native plants with a few distinct sections like a desert and a meadow. Serene stretch of coast & picnicking spot with a snug, basic campground & scenic views. It's a great outdoor adventure during Covid. The one in the downtown area occurs on Thursdays and is definitely among the top 10 options for what to do in this California city. Pismo Beach is a city on California's Central Coast. Very dry and dusty and not environmentally pet friendly, but a great location & lake area. http://www.stearnswharf.org, Enjoy the seaside sights and sounds of Stearns Wharf, one of Santa Barbaras most iconic landmarks. Theres also family-friendly shopping (we like to stop and buy trinkets at the Old Wharf Trading Company) and dining (try Santa Barbara Shellfish Company). Also there is are 2 short hikes on this course, one of which is up a steep hill, but there are plenty of places to stop and take a break. Atop a rugged bluff, Dinosaur Caves Park has trails with ocean views and a playground. From its painted ceilings down to its tiled-floors, the Santa Barbara County Courthouse is a must-see! Tobin James is one of me favorite wineries. Bubblegum Alley is a rather odd attraction, and yet visiting it just to see it once is one of the best things to do in San Luis Obispo. This particular property, however 'required' that we spend $20 per person. It is a great place to add to your list of things to see in Santa Barbara. Case in point? Meandering paths wind through the perfectly manicured landscaped gardens that feature sculptures and ironwork by well-known artists Dale Evers, John Jagger, and Robert Bentley. Amazing wines. Cute small zoo. The mission is home to a cemetery that houses a marble mausoleum at its center. Stearns Wharf is a wooden pier that juts out into the harbor. Located in Mission Canyon, with sweeping views of the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Santa Barbara Channel Islands,the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is a 78 acre botanical garden that displays California native plants in natural settings, encompassing a range of cultivated displays as well as stands of natural coast live oak and riparian woodlands. As you continue down State Street youll come to Stearns Wharf, stretching out over the Pacific Ocean. Check out other stops like Avila Beach, Big Sur, or Cayucos. We were served by a gentleman named Tim. Learn MoreView Website. The wharf is also home to a bustling fish market, a maritime museum, and some of the best seafood restaurants in the area. Renowned as the crown jewel of the California Missions, this site has been painstakingly preserved. From there, take HWY 101 N to Santa Barbara. Inside you will find many things to see, including murals, tiles, elegant furniture, and several references to the style of the ancient missions with bright and vibrant colors. Nearby, pieces of chewed gum cover the walls of Bubblegum Alley. It even smells fruity. A 4200 mile, 21 day teardrop road trip we took in 2020, when things were just beginning to reopen after Covid. Whenever I come back for another vacation I am definitely bringing my family to try this!!! We will take two days, spending one night. Additional terms apply. This mission, founded in 1804, is an active parish church, plus a museum with tours & a gift shop. Notable stops are Half Moon Bay, Pescadero, Santa Cruz, Monterey, Carmel-By-The-Sea, Pismo Beach, Yosemite National Park and Sequoia National Park. Walk to the end of State Street, and you will arrive at Stearns Wharf, the oldest working wharf in California that dates back to 1872. This is the perfect pit stop for getting out to enjoy the sun and natural beauty on your way to San Luis Obispo. 1 minute off the main route, 61% of way to Santa Barbara. There are two obvious routes you can follow between San Jose and the beautiful Santa Barbara. - this based on inquiring with other fishermen & trying various spots (5) Aggressive racoons ransacking campsites looking for food - we had 4 little burglars in our campsite moving stuff around at 3 AM. The Old Mission Santa Barbarais not only rich with history, it is also an incredibly exquisite building. 0 minutes off the main route, 56% of way to Santa Barbara. Where State Street ends, Stearns Wharf begins, shooting out into the harbor as a popular hangout for people craving fresh seafood, scenic views, or want to splurge on their last day before leaving Santa Barbara. We didn't get an opportunity to attend the docent led tour. We met with Father after Spanish Mass and he was very warm and welcoming. Monterey . But, the kids thought it was cool, and the best part is the first 90 minutes of parking on the wharf is free, so why not?! The Spanish Moorish building is an architectural delight. No trip to San Luis Obispo is complete without a stay at the Madonna Inn. If you are a lover of nature and its beauty, you first stop should be the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Vineyards and farms, as well as the Dutch town of Solvang surround this mission. My question is - should we stay in Big Sur for the night, or drive all the way down to somewhere. Beautiful Mission, just waiting for everything to go back to normal and be able to tour it and get the full experience. The priest will make sure of it. I was even able to pet one of the piggies. All in all, we had a great time and would love to go back. There are 21 Spanish Missions in the state of California and let me tell you, the Santa Barbara Mission TAKES THE CAKE!. On Thursday evenings, explore one of the most treasured events on the Central Coast and experience the great food, great wine and great people of SLO. In fact, it makes you wax poetic: We were served by Jack, but everyone we spoke with was super nice and helpful. I witnessed him whisper to her as he pointed at me and my husband. I am planning on travelling from Yosemite to LA but would like to travel down part of the PCH. If you're planning a trip to beautiful Santa Barbara you have to visit this gorgeous building. Learn MoreView Website. For someone like me who is completely oblivious to plays or musicals, this was still highly entertaining. The wine was fantastic! The Flying Goat lifts you away at first sight. One-Way Driving Time : 4 hours and 45 minutes. Enchanting garden featuring 5.5 miles of paths, authentic Japanese tea garden, redwood grove & more. Review of Pacific Coast Highway Reviewed July 26, 2015 But never attempt to take nor steal clams from the pier I literally saw a entire family get embarrassed belongings searched as well but I still enjoyed my stay on the beach See the best views of Santa Barbara and enjoy a stunning variety of architectural styles at the citys historic courthouse. The gardens are beautiful As Harvest Host members it is 'requested' that we spend $20 at a property, and we always spend much more than that. After your jaunt along State Street, youll come across one of Santa Barbaras most iconic landmarks: the Stearns Wharf. Decor is cute. Music would be nice!! All in all a pretty nice exhibit. Piers & BoardwalksCabrillo Boulevard, Santa Barbara, CA MoreLess Info. Built in search to find the best places so you dont have to open 50 more tabs. Theres a beautiful balcony area where you can bring out your wine and enjoy the view. Will definitely be coming back! The trip down from Monterey was already taking us far longer than expectedsomeone here (read: ME) apparently doesn't know how to budget her timeand it took us roughly six hours of driving time, not including bathroom breaks and picture stops, to reach Santa Barbara. It has a great visitor center that is super educational. It's beautiful, safe, clean and professional. The Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum exhibits dozens of classic American, Japanese and European motorbikes. We wasted no time leaving. An estimated 2 million pieces of chewed gum line the walls of this 70-ft. pedestrian passage. I dared them to lick the wall but no one would lol. Went around noon for a nice lunch and some wine with the food/wine experience. 400 miles. How To Get There: The most scenic route to Santa Barbara is via California Highway 1, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway. Keep the pooches on the pavement at all times. Since admiring beautiful architecture is one of the best things to do in Santa Barbara, the Santa Barbara County Courthouse is one building that you dont want to miss. It is so much fun!!!! Visitors to the Santa Barbara County Courthouse have the chance to explore one of the most beautiful public buildings in America. As you make it to Stearns Wharf head to Deep Sea Tasting Room, a wine tasting room serving Santa Barbara grown grapes. I enjoyed the variety of produce available and the chance to shop with entertainment. Containing over 1,000 species of rare and indigenRead more. The Jalama Beach Store has you covered with sundries and famous Jalama burgers. It's weird and unique like my family. The Mission Gift Shop, parking lot, and restrooms are open. First time camping here with our small camper. Its definitely the perfect size to get a toddler tired. Spending a few hours here is one of the best free things to do in Santa Barbara. Well be back in the summer when its warmer. Youll have to stop by at least once while youre in town! If your trip to Santa Barbara is part of a longer road trip along the Pacific Coast Highway, then you'll want to bookmark Morro Bay as a rest stop heading north. We always have a great experience wine tasting at Laetitia. They provide plenty of water on the course and trails in single use cups. The inside is even more striking--long, colonnaded hallways lined with tapestries and heavy, carved wooden furniture. Free parking. The owner was attentive and shared good wines. No visit to Santa Barbara is complete without a walk down Stearns Wharf. My question is - should we stay in Big Sur for the night, or drive all the way down to somewhere. The name Cambria, chosen in 1869, is the Latin name for Wales. There are plenty! When youre ready to get your blood pumping, head to Santa Barbara Harbor to rent paddle boards, kayaks, and bikes. Spread across nearly 80 acres just off Mission Canyon Road, the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is home to hundreds of local plant, flower, and tree species. Beautiful vineyard! But, alas, such is things. I have been coming here since I was younger and it has changed in many ways. Both parts of the property are awesome. The downtown area is great with nice bars and restaurants. This is the third time I have been to Santa Barbara. Stearns Wharf was finished in 1872 and is now the oldest of its kind in California, being the only wooden wharf that continues to be used in this modern day. Docent lead tours are very informative. It is best to just take a seat and take in the view. and their pinot selection Why would anyone travel from the east coast to California and make SLO farmers market a priority stop? Part of the garden is designated as Santa Barbara County Historic Landmark, and also offers guided tours. drive for about 4 hours. I know there is obviously a lot more weight on the wharf, but Ill admit it, I was a bit nervous. Very relaxed and clean compared to many other beaches here in California! We hadn't been to Firestone for about 20 years. Plus you can check out the shops which are all fun. Great selection but the lines are long for most of the hot foods. Morro Bay State Parks Museum of Natural History features exhibits on ecology and local Native American culture. There are two main ways to drive from Los Angeles to Ojai: Along The Coast: The most common way is to head north on the 101 freeway and hug the coast. I really wanted to love this place, in fact at first we wanted to stay for two days. It is kinda gross but also unusual. You will most likely see some birds up close if walking the pier. They have also added QR codes that make it really nice to be able to here an audio tour. Good place for Camping , relax , nice nature , nice clean lake ( no swimming) but you can rent the boat, fishing, food store in the camp with lot of good stuff (food , souvenirs, bbq stuff some fishing stuff, toilets and showers (showers was dirty .. ) and toilet on the water, good restaurant, live music 4251 Dry Creek Rd, Paso Robles, CA 93446, USA. The paved street instantly turns into the worn wooded boards of Stearns Wharf laid back in 1872. Another great nautical spot in Santa Barbara is the Santa Barbara Harbor. Take in the sights of Santa Barbara Harbor as you browse the one-of-a-kind boutiques and happen across some of the wildest personalities in Santa Barbara. Designed in Spanish-Moorish style and completed in 1929, the Santa Barbara County Courthouse is now one of the main tourist attractions on a visit to the American Riviera.One of the most beautiful government buildings in all of the United States, the Santa Barbara County Courthouse is a working courthouse, but visitors are encouraged to explore what its grounds hold in store for them. Cheap Flights from Monterey Peninsula to Santa Barbara Municipal. This sprawling garden boasts a collection of more than 1,000 plants native to California as well as tranquil atmosphere amid the stunning mountain views. No idea why this exists. Walk the beach for more scenic views and lots of neat geology. This winery is beautiful, and the staff are amazing--They gave us great recommendations about things to do and see in the area, and were incredibly nice. Otherwise there was a waiter from Pennsylvania (same!) Adult admission was reasonable for the size of this zoo. More than 5.5 miles of paths wind their way through the pine-scented woodland. Make sure the rangers designate your tow vehicle as a tow vehicle with the window permit on check-in. The Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens consist of over 75 acres and is a stunning outdoor area to explore in the city. Now as part of Foley Family Wines we re-visited and were pleasantly surprised. Embodying beauty, rustic charm, tourism, and a feel of the ocean, Stearns Wharf is Santa Barbaras number one tourist attraction. Of course, if you want to spend a little cash, youll have more than enough opportunities to do so. Sterns Wharf is the large pier that juts out of the Santa Barbara coastline. it also features 12 acres of gorgeous gardens. Our waiter was nice but didnt talk much besides asking if we were local to see if we wanted to buy into the wine club. The membership is well worth it and isn't very much considering what you get with it. This distinctive edifice was built in the iconic Spanish-Colonial style that is popular throughout the city, and the red-tiled roof, four-faced clock tower, and colorful gardens all make the courthouse one of the best free things to do in Santa Barbara. Don't forget to also walk the outside grounds and take that in while you're there. I have a USA GPS and I just updated the maps and I'm cross referencing google maps. Cambria is situated amidst Monterey pines in one of only three such native forests. The wooden pier is chock full of restaurants and shops. On the 2nd floor, step inside the hushed mural room depicting Spanish-colonial history, then head up to El Mirador, the 85ft clock tower, for arch-framed panoramas of the city, ocean and mountains. Notable Pros: (1) Proximity to lake via various marked hiking trails from most camp areas (2) Fairly well-stocked General Store with firewood, ice, liquor, RV accessories, etc. Great campground. Although civic court functions are still part of daily life in this bustling structure, there are two sights you absolutely cannot miss: the Mural Room and the El Mirador clock tower. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates. The beach was spectacular and great to explore. The wines were mediocre, which I could have lived with. Thank you for a great time and for ensure we were safe while having fun! You'll find a dive shop and also a small market. People love visiting Paso Robles, Big Sur, and San Luis Obispo, among others. It's known for its wineries and many beaches. Amazing View The next vista point where you can marvel at the ocean is Rocky Ridge. At the bottom of State Street, in downtown Santa Barbara, Stearns Wharf offers breathtaking views of the harbor and beaches, backed by the Santa Ynez Mountains. The wines show this with their maturity, depth & balance without being over bearing. Go visit the mission for the history and a wonderful view from the hill. The Farmers Market provides local farms, owned and run by families, to sell their fresh produce, goods, and more. The courthouses history is interesting as well Free tours are offered each day at 2pm (and weekdays at 10:30am) in the mural room on the second floor of the building. This loop will take you through over 1,000 unique and native Californian plants. The restrooms are clean, parking is convenient and do not forget to visit the gift shop. Couldnt have asked for a better selection of food items. This is a great place to stroll, eat, shop and see the sights. 12:37 pm Solvang. All were velvety smooth. A joint effort of Franciscan vision and Chumash Indian labor, this historical structure was founded by Franciscan Friar Fermen de Lasuen on the Feast of St. Barbara, December 4, 1786. Botanical Gardens1212 Mission Canyon Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93105MoreLess Info. Step back in time to Old California. Across 75 acres of kid-friendly terrain are desert, meadow, ridge and redwood forest vistas. Formerly home to George Knapp, a wealthy man who was the founder of Union Carbide, a chemical-based industry, the house was completed in 1916. that I listened to at his tables and he was so personable and friendly. I didn't know what to expect and the staffs were spot on with their own personal experiences. Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is a collection of different types of gardens. Beautiful architectural building with equally magnificent gardens and decorations. Loved everything about this place. They do have bathrooms near by. The sparsely populated region has numerous state parks for hiking, camping and beachcombing. It's easy to spend an hour or more in the VS just learning about the mission. It's downtown near other restaurants. Public beachfront area with a popular snack shack, a sundry store, picnic tables & fire boxes. 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