Santa
Barbara California Day Trip
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Santa
Barbara is within easy day trip distance from
Los Angeles.
If you are planning on making the journey get an early
start because there are plenty of things to do in this
beautiful coastal
city. Traffic permitting you can make the trip in a little
over two hours. Another option is the Amtrak
Pacific Surfliner train
which takes about three hours, but you don't have to worry
about getting stuck in traffic. The train station is on
State Street and the beach and Stearns Wharf are only a
few blocks
away. Most first time visitors head to Stearns Wharf which
sits at the end of State Street. On the historic pier are
several restaurants plus you can take in some really stunning
views of Santa Barbara and the mountains beyond. There
is paid parking on the pier and metered parking on the
streets. If you don't mind a walking you can find
some streets that have free parking. A great way to get
aquatinted with Santa Barbara is by renting a beach cruiser
or surrey from one of the rental shops that line the beach.
There are miles of bike paths to explore however most people
are happy following the trail from Stearns Wharf to Shoreline
Park and back. Inland on the other side of the freeway
downtown Santa Barbara streets are lined with one-of-a-kind
boutiques,
art galleries, trendy shop and outlets. Dining in Santa
Barbara ranges from the usual fast food outlets all the
way up to gourmet cuisine. Plan your trip carefully and
your trip or stay in Santa Barbara will not break the bank.
On the other hand if you own the bank there are plenty
of places to spend your money. Rich or poor Santa Barbara
has something for everyone and is a must visit for Southern
california locals and tourist from all over the world.
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Things
to do in Santa Barbara: Santa Barbara has the best mid
size zoo on the west coast and the Santa
Barbara Zoo should be on the top of your list. Stearns Wharf
is Santa Barbara's most visited landmark and has a great view
of the mountains and the city. Mission
Santa Barbara is s one of the most beautiful in California
and well worth checking out. Directly behind Mission Santa Barbara
is the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden which exhibits native plants
of California native in beautifully designed landscapes. South
Coast Railroad Museum is located in Goleta California is just
a few miles north of Santa Barbara. Solvang
and the Santa Barbara wine county are a short drive away. Shopping,
dining and world class resorts are all part of Santa Barbara.
Accommodations in Santa Barbara run from moderately
priced motels to no holds spared high end resorts. Santa Barbara
makes a great day trip from the Los Angeles area. If your traveling
from San Diego or other distant locations its best to spend a
day or two in order to enjoy all Santa Barbara has to offer.
Santa Barbara Bike Rentals:
Open Air Bicycles - Rent a quality Trek road
bike by the day or week. Bring your own pedals to swap out if
you wish. It's next to the Santa Barbara Amtrak station, so you
can get off the train and onto a bike. 209 State Street, 962-7000.
Santa Barbara Bikes To-Go - Rent "top of
the line" road bikes, triathlon bikes, mountain or hybrid
bikes. Free Santa Barbara area delivery to hotel, residence or
Amtrak station. Phone 617-3364.
Santa Barbara Pedicab - Rent a pedicab with driver
to take you to or from special events or destinations in the central
Santa Barbara area. Pick up at local hotels. Phone ahead 453-2759
to reserve one.
Wheel Fun Rentals - Rent a mountain bike, beach
cruiser, trike or 4-wheel surrey by the hour, day or week. Charge
the rental fees to your room if you are staying at the DoubleTree:
22 State Street, 966-2282, 23 East Cabrillo Boulevard, 966-2282,
633 East Cabrillo Boulevard (at the DoubleTree Resort), 966-2282.
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Places To
Camp Santa Barbara
Carpinteria
State Park - Swimming,
surfing, tide pools and camping. Sea Lions and whales
are often seen in season. Twelve miles south of Santa
Barbara. Carpinteria Beach has been
voted one of the best campgrounds in the country
El Capitan
State Park - Lots
of tide pools and quite beach. Good swimming and surfing.
Stairway access from bluff to the beach. Day use and over
night camping. Lots of trails for
hiking, biking and spectacular views of the coast and
mountains.
Gaviota State
Park - Extensive
hiking trails in the surrounding hills and valleys. Historic
pier used for fishing and divers. Boat launch by hoist
from pier. Popular beach for day
use and overnight camping
Jalama
Beach Park - Camping is first come, first
serve at this secluded Santa Barbara County Park. During
the summer there a limited numbers or trailers that can
be rented out.
Refugio State
Park - Palm
trees give campground distinctive look. 3 mile bike trail
runs along the beach to El Capitan Beach. There
are 66 camping sites all on the ocean side of highway
101
Cachuma
Lake A Santa Barbara County Park renowned
for its natural beauty and variety of fun things to do.
Fishing, hiking, guided boat tours and plenty of places
to camp. |
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Santa Barbara
is about 90 miles north of Los Angeles, well within day trip distance.
To really enjoy Santa Barbara and the surrounding area consider
spending at least one night to give you time to take in all the
local attractions. another two hour dive north on Highway 101
take you to the classic beach town of Pismo
Beach. |
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