Santa Barbara - A Spanish Touch in the Heart of California

Santa Barbara is a small city in the American state of California. It is nestled among the coastal lowland of the Pacific Ocean and the slopes of Santa Inez, part of the famous Rocky Mountains. Santa Barbara is among the greenest parts of Southern California. Various palms, subtropical trees and bushes make the landscape of this city incredible. The first Europeans to set foot on Santa Barbara were Portuguese in 16th century although the city was not populated until the late 18th century. Today Santa Barbara is very appealing; it attracts Americans from all over the US, as well as wealthy foreigners who settle in sunny California. With its subtropical Mediterranean climate, long summers and mild winters, Santa Barbara is the perfect place for living and vacationing.

Santa Barbara is a genuine escape from the highways, skyscrapers and rush of other cities. The tranquility, impressive architecture, shining beaches, quality wine and the chance to see some of the most luxurious mansions in the world make it a very popular tourist destination. Santa Barbara is often described as the American Riviera.

Bathed in sunshine about 300 days a year, Santa Barbara has attractions for every taste - from yachting, touring historical museums and galleries to dining in fancy restaurants in the hills of the city. You won't see a single tall building or anything else typical of modern city landscapes. But you will see olive and lemon groves, lavender fields and vast vineyards. With its 100 miles of coast lined with splendid palms, Santa Barbara is a summer paradise. The shores are rarely crowded and the sands are so soft and golden that you might want to stay there forever. Surfers love the waters of Santa Barbara as they offer some spectacular waves. As far as architecture, you can feel the Spanish influence with the glittering gypsum plasters, red-brick roofs and yards filled with colourful flowers.

There are many sites you simply can't miss while in Santa Barbara. The first one is the Santa Barbara Mission, which is a fine example of the Franciscan Spanish architecture. Go to Stearns Wharf, built in the 19th century. It is the longest pier in the area and symbolizes the history of the city. Then, head to the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, which is an active courthouse. However, this splendid building is truly amazing -  constructed in Spanish-Moorish style with murals and Tunisian tiles.

There are various museums to visit in Santa Barbara. Start with the Museum of Natural History where you can glimpse everything from a Blue Whale skeleton to a skeleton of a pygmy mammoth. Go to the Karpeles Museum to see the Stone copy of the Declaration of Independence. And last but not least, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art and the Historical Museum take you further into history and art.

Even though Santa Barbara has some retro charm, it is a modern city. It is host to various events related to music, the arts and cinema. The most popular among them is the International Movie Festival. Unlike those in Cannes, this one offers public access to all official events and screenings.

Connoisseurs of wine will be very glad to hear all about the wine tours and tastings that happen in the Santa Barbara area. You can take a tour by bus, jeep or limo and visit several wine cellars. The road before you will reveal fresh green fields with lakes and little villages scattered on the hills.

Enjoy the Santa Barbara Zoo and the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - you won't regret it. Both places offer great sites to relax and explore and have a really good family time!