Basking in a lush Mediterranean climate with 100 miles of prime Pacific coastline, a thriving arts community, historic architecture and scenic wine country, Santa Barbara offers all the components of a world-class destination—without the madding crowds. This city offers “the good life” of the South of France with El Encanto Hotel, a thriving wining and dining scene, upscale galleries and boutiques, pedestrian-friendly promenades, and a distinctly international flavor.

Anointed the American Riviera, Santa Barbara is awash in color and sunlight. Here, palm-lined beaches glisten, white washed red-tile adobes invite, and luxurious vegetation and tranquil fountains relax the eye and the ear of all who pause. Visitors and residents alike are entranced by the rhythm and beauty, as poets, song writers and novelists have long been romanced here. This seaside sanctuary attracts sophisticated visitors from around the world.

Santa Barbara sits on a unique east/west axis (the only stretch of land from Alaska to Cape Horn to do so), providing soothing southern exposure year-round. The region boasts a true Mediterranean climate, averaging 300 days of sunshine annually. The area’s topographic setup is equally impressive, from the lush vineyards and valleys of Santa Ynez and Santa Maria to the rugged Channel Islands and celebrity-stocked shoreline of Montecito.

HUES IN HISTORY

Early on, the region’s soothing climate provided a verdant home for the Chumash Indians, who were joined by the Portuguese, Spaniards and Franciscans, many of whom established missions here. Area visitors enjoy day trips to Mission Santa Ines in Solvang, La Purisima Mission State Historic Park in Lompoc and the “Queen of the Missions,” Mission Santa Barbara. The region was officially part of Mexico for 24 years before Colonel John Fremont crowned Santa Barbara a U.S. territory in 1846.

In the early 1900s, Santa Barbara was the film capital of the world. More than 1,200 movies (mostly Westerns) were made in a 10-year span and Santa Barbara became a favorite retreat for such legendary film stars as Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford and Charlie Chaplin. The area soon evolved into a haven for wealthy Easterners and a hot spot for health-seekers lured by the city’s curing mineral baths. At the turn of the last century, luxury rail cars delivered the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, Carnegies and DuPonts. Later, a swell of painters, poets and authors arrived, and a thriving arts community remains today.

Santa Barbara is home to 92,000 residents, yet it exudes the warmth and relaxation of a small city blessed with the major attractions and world-class accommodations of a metropolis. Pedestrian friendly with 70+ historic landmarks, an impressive line-up of performing arts venues, museums, galleries and restaurants, the area is a perfect vacation destination.

OUT AND ABOUT

Touring the vineyards of Santa Barbara wine country is always a tasty sojourn. Some 70+ wineries dot the inland region with 24,000 acres of planted vines. Warm days, cool nights and dry summers create excellent growing conditions, along with the east/west mountain chain which serves as a fan from the Pacific. The Santa Ynez and Santa Maria regions produce a variety of world-class wines, primarily pinot noir and chardonnay, a wonderful showing of syrahs and other Rhône varietals as well as merlot, sauvignon blanc and riesling. The new Santa Rita Hills AVA has captured the spotlight for its cool climate pinot noirs and syrahs.

Tasting rooms and tours are plentiful throughout the region, as are first-class restaurants and gourmet delicatessens to browse for picnic goods. Throughout the year concerts, dinners and harvest parties make visiting a savory experience. Key events include the annual Vintners’ Festival in April and Celebration of Harvest each October.

Back along the Pacific Coast lie the sun-drenched cities that neighbor Santa Barbara including: Carpinteria, Summerland, Montecito and Goleta. Remaining relatively undiscovered, the small town of Carpinteria, 12 miles south of Santa Barbara, boasts Carpinteria State Beach Park with 4,000 feet of beautiful ocean and the best surf fishing and tide pooling in the region. Also in this area are The Carpinteria Valley Museum of History, the picturesque Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club and the annual California Avocado Festival (October), which celebrates avocado served every which way.

More than a dozen antique stores and small shops dot the main street in nearby Summerland, making the area a browser's paradise. Stop in for brunch at the famous Big Yellow House or the hip Bulldog Café. Across the street, Europa is the stop for high-end antiques and Botanik hits the spot for florals and garden ware. The Summerland Market is a well-known stop for intrepid travelers for homemade sausages spiced with curry, sweet potato or sun dried tomato.

Spanish for "little mountain," Montecito is an exclusive residential enclave framed with lush, exotic gardens and expansive estates. Nearby lie the Santa Barbara Zoological Gardens, a great stop for families featuring an impressive botanic garden and more than 500 animals from around the world, including 10 endangered species. In town, Coast Village Road offers a quaint stretch of cafes, high-end boutiques and specialty shops. Just up Hot Springs Road lies a beautiful adobe church and nearby Casa del Herrero and Lotusland gardens (reservations required).

FROM THE MOUNTAINS TO THE SEA

A visit to one of Santa Barbara’s nine beaches is a must, from the surf-ripe Leadbetter Beach to the calm swimming area of West Beach, with its picture-perfect view of the Wharf.

The ocean is an expansive playground, offering every physical type of water sport including SCUBA diving, sailing, parasailing, whale watching, sunset cruising and kayaking. Boasting one of the world’s largest sailing fleets for rent, Santa Barbara answers every wannabe-sailor’s dream, with vessels ranging from small craft to large yachts.

The Channel Islands National Park is easily accessible directly from Santa Barbara Harbor. Of the five islands, Santa Cruz Island, California’s largest makes for a great day trip. The Nature Conservancy offers tours of this unique ecological preserve. Multi-day tours are also available. The islands offer camping, hiking, kayaking, tide pooling and exploring the many rare plant and animal species, ancient pygmy sites and gentle coastal waters.

GREENS OF ALL TYPES

Framing the beach is Santa Barbara's massive park system—nearly 50 in all. From tranquil groves to vast meadows, each park provides a perfect respite for picnics and relaxation.

The city's oldest and most stately, Alameda Park, is best known for its rare and near extinct trees and turn-of-the-century Victorian gazebo. Insiders make it up the Riviera for expansive panoramas of the shoreline and ocean at Franceschi Park. This great site is veined with stone walkways that create a labyrinth through colorful flowers and shrubs surrounding the former estate of one of Santa Barbara's most prominent horticulturists. Other parks and gardens include the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, with native California flora, Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden and Mission Park Rose Garden, with 1,000 fragrant rose bushes.

Other “greens” also play well in Santa Barbara. The county sports eight championship golf courses, including the 72-par Rancho San Marcos, a Robert Trent Jones II course perched atop scenic Highway 154. Glen Annie Golf Club in Goleta adds 130 acres of prime green with commanding views of the Pacific. The Alisal Guest Ranch offers the River Course and Billy Bell-designed 72-par Ranch Course (guests only). Other area courses include the top-rated La Purisima Golf Course in Lompoc and Sandpiper Golf Course in Goleta, which is consistently rated among the top 25 public courses in the country (Golf Digest).

EVENING ADVENTURES

As the sun sets, Santa Barbara sizzles with a multitude of clubs and restaurants offering live entertainment from soft jazz to R&B and beyond.

Santa Barbara has been gaining attention for culinary adventure and innovation, especially amongst foodies enamored of fresh-from-the-farm fare. Local products such as Santa Barbara spot prawns, Carpinteria squab, local ostrich, Santa Maria strawberries, Los Olivos mushrooms, freshly grown avocados, lemons and locally-produced wines and olive oils lend to the area’s culinary cash crop.

SALES, BARGAINS & BEYOND

Quaint courtyards, chic boutiques and modern malls merge to create a shopper's paradise in Santa Barbara. Historic El Paseo, California's first shopping center, was built in the 1920s and features a variety of unique gift shops, galleries and restaurants nestled amongst romantic gardens and Spanish courtyards. La Arcada Court, a T-shaped Spanish paseo and courtyard on State Street spotlight a range of specialty stores and fine art. Paseo Nuevo, anchored by Nordstrom and Macy’s, features a variety of boutiques, restaurants, fashionable clothing stores, gardening shops, live music and art galleries.

Three of Santa Barbara's home-grown retail stores are: Hayward's outdoor patio store featuring more than 60 different colors of custom designed umbrellas, Big Dog, a Santa Barbara-institution sporting casual leisure apparel, and The Territory Ahead, covering bases with rugged outdoor wear.

Santa Barbara is located just 92 miles north of Los Angeles and 332 miles south of San Francisco along the Pacific coastline. Visitors can arrive via scenic Highway 1, daily stops on Amtrak, Greyhound Bus or via air into Santa Barbara Municipal Airport or Los Angeles International Airport.

For accommodation call El Encanto at 1-800-393-5117 or www.elencantohotel.com. For a free copy of the official Santa Barbara County Visitors Guide, contact the Santa Barbara Conference & Visitors Bureau and Film Commission at 800/927-4688, 805/966-9222 or tourism@santabarbaraCA.com, or visit www.santabarbaraca.com for further visitors information..