Things to do in Santa Barbara

The charming coastal town of Santa Barbara, situated kissing the Pacific Ocean in California, is one of the most beautiful towns in the state. Just driving around the town, and enjoying the beautiful views is one of the most popular things to do in Santa Barbara. There are a number of things to do besides this; the city of Santa Barbara has a literal abundance of excellent dining options and shopping centers. There are also a huge number of cultural attractions, such as museums, art galleries and ateliers. There are a number of art fests at the board walk at the beach here. The parks here are also notable.

The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum is a definite must visit, it is housed in what was once a Navy training facility. Numerous Navy men were trained here for more than half a century. The building has now been refurbished, and has a huge number of displays related to the Navy, notable Navy personnel and others. There are a number of boats moored outside. Visiting the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum is among the most rewarding things to do in Santa Barbara.

Santa Barbara Historical Museum is another must visit. The museum is located in down town Santa Barbara in the vicinity of the major shopping centers and dining options, and is home to some of the best collections of artifacts in California. There are anumber of artifacts that give fascinating insights about the history of this area. There is also a good many specimens of fine art and photographs. The natural history museum here is located in the midst of beautiful gardens, in Spanish style buildings. There are a number of displays of the history of California, as well as the North West Coast, and have exhibits that give you information on the Chumash Indians. The animal and bird display is also worth watching, as is the marine creature display.

Santa Barbara also has a collection of excellent wine regions in close proximity to the city. Driving over to these wineries is one of the most fun things to do in Santa Barbara. The area has a whole lot of excellent wines produced, such as Cambria, which is known for the Pinot Noir, as is the Au Bon Climat and the Qupe, for red wines and white wines. Byron is another must visit. The boutique vineyards are actually where the best wines are created, and tastings are rightly more expensive.