Favorite Ride: Santa Barbara, CA

August 30 2011 by Jason Fogelson
Comments (10)

iStock_000015875408XSmall.jpgI've been using Santa Barbara as an escape from Los Angeles ever since I was in college in the 1980s. The rich and famous have been drawn to Santa Barbara since the 1920s, as the area is uncommonly beautiful and temperate. Santa Barbara County has been called "The American Riviera," and looking at the way that the shore communities are carved into the hilly coastline, it's easy to see why. Santa Barbara is heaven for motorcyclists, with great roads in every direction, and fantastic attractions in town when the riding day is done.

Like many Southern California coastal towns, Santa Barbara really started to take shape during the late 1700s when Father Junipero Serra established the Old Mission Santa Barbara. The classic Mission is still home to a community of Franciscan friars, and is open to the public for tours and activities. The Santa Barbara Mission is considered the classic Mission in the California chain. A building from the 1780s in California qualifies as an absolute antiquity!

State Street is the downtown tourist and shopping district of Santa Barbara, stretching from Anapamu to Stearns Wharf. Park your bike, and explore cool vintage stores mixed with high-end chains and outlets, all tucked in to classic Spanish architecture. Drop in for a gander at the significant collection at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. When it's time to eat and drink, sidewalk cafes abound, and the people-watching is world class.

The Santa Barbara Zoo covers over 30 acres, and provides a lovely home for over 500 animals. The views of the Pacific Ocean will make you feel a little bit envious of the fantastic location -- I wonder if the three-toed sloth appreciates it?

Speaking of the beach, the Santa Barbara beaches are beautiful, wide and clean, with great white sand and plenty of room for everyone. The water on the California coast is a little chilly for swimming most of the year, but people still brave the surf. I love to park my bike along a beachfront drive and sit and look out at the ocean. It's very peaceful.

There are three BEST WESTERN Hotels in Santa Barbara, and two nearby in Goleta and Carpinteria. You can choose between sleepy beachside and bustling downtown lodging, and tailor your Santa Barbara experience to your own taste.

Santa Barbara beckons, and the world answers. I hear it calling right now -- I think I'll load up my saddlebags and take a ride.

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    10 Comments

    By Grace on September 7, 2011 12:53 PM

    I love Santa Barbara! Such a gorgeous city and there is so much to do there, I really can't get enough! The downtown area is excellent as well as the beaches and hiking trails if you are an outdoorsy person. I was just there and I had a totally blast enjoying the wonderful weather and the beaches! We stayed at the Sandman Inn (www.thesandmaninn.com). So inexpensive and the location is excellent!

    By Adele on September 18, 2011 4:01 PM

    Santa Barbara by far is one of my favorite cities to visit in California. Such a wonderful little beach town! I could lay on a beach there all day long if I could and dive into a wonderful book. I'm planning my trip there for the holidays and I cannot wait! I'll be staying at the South Coast Inn (www.santa-barbara-hotel.com). So elegant and the perfect place to catch up on some much needed R&R!

    By Jasmine on November 1, 2011 7:46 PM

    The American Rivera for a reason, Santa Barbara is by far one of the best cities to travel to in California by far. Not quite a big city, but far from small, it gives you the best of both worlds without the traffic! The beaches are prime and so is the downtown area. Great restaurants and the culture and entertainment are definitely worth a look into. I recommend a very nice and elegant hotel right outside of town if you are looking for some peace and quiet on your vacation; the South Coast Inn (www.santa-barbara-hotel.com).

    By Aja on December 16, 2011 7:50 AM

    I recommend a good hike if you ever come to Santa Barbara. It is the best way to get to know your surroundings and really get in touch with nature. The back country is so nice and on a clear day, the views are breath taking. I always try and do a new hike whenever I find myself in Santa Barbara. Cold springs is fun one or Tangerine Falls, Seven Falls, Rattlesnake for sure! A good hotel to check out if you want to be close to countless trail heads would be the South Coast Inn (www.goleta-hotel.com)!

    By tksdblzj on January 15, 2012 10:11 PM

    zxynoxws

    By Tracy on February 2, 2012 5:15 PM

    This makes me remember some of the best years of my life at UCSB. I don't get out to visit as much as I wish I could but it is still a decent amount. I enjoy doing all these things whenever I am there. I stick to my Isla Vista roots though and hike Cathedral Oaks and lounge at Sandspit beach and surf! A great place to stay in the area is the South Coast Inn (www.goleta-hotel.com). Close to UCSB actually and a great place to stay if you are planning to visit any of the Gauchos!

    By wugpnxm on February 27, 2012 5:43 PM

    cfcjsp

    By Janice on March 6, 2012 10:26 AM

    There is nothing trippin about going to Santa Barbara! One of the most beautiful cities this side of the world in my book. The closest thing to this is possibly in Spain and that is ten times more expensive. Every comment on this post has great points so read and stick to all of them! The Sandman Inn and South Coast are getting some great praise and they are in total position to deserve it! Two great places to stay, just depends on what you are looking for. Budget savvy or elegance, Both are a great choice!

    By Janice on April 22, 2012 2:03 PM

    One of my favorite blogs yet to come across for traveling in Santa Barbara. The Best Western in SB is quite nice and was affordable as well. The location was so/so though, could of been a lot better. I've stayed at my fair share of hotels in Santa Barbara and they all vary, but I was quite happy about this one. Though nothing will ever top the Sandman Inn (www.thesandmaninn.com). Cheaper than anything and beyond words in the best location, basically pays for itself.

    By Ashley on December 2, 2012 2:08 PM

    Of course Santa Barbara is your favorite ride, it's the most beautiful one! Those coastlines are breath taking! I was just there and I loved every minute of it. Nice fall vacation to just relieve some stress, the weather was great. Nice beach walks, wine tasting and bars! Great three days there and I cannot wait to go back. I stayed at the Sandman Inn (www.thesandmaninn.com). Inexpensive and the way to go for short trips in Santa Barbara


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