Simply put, Santa Barbara is a haven for excellent restaurants (despite being the home to the first "Egg McMuffin" from McDonalds!) often combined with exceptional visual surroundings and the comforts that only a Mediterranean climate can bring. The following restaurants are located in the Santa Barbara area. This is just a partial list. If you have a recommendation for a restaurant please email it to dave@pon.net One look on Yelp under Santa … [Read more...]
About Dave
http://www.davestravelcorner.com
Dave is an international travel writer and founder of Dave’s Travel Corner, a premier travel resource since 1996. He is well traveled (180 countries & territories); while on the road he enjoys the outdoors, backpacking, mountain climbing, meeting people, and experiencing other cultures.
Combining these interests with his expertise in technology, photography and writing, he shares his adventures on Dave’s Travel Corner and in select media outlets. Dave is most at home in Bangkok, Los Angeles, the Napa Valley or California’s Sierra Nevada mountains.
In 2006, he conceived the Napa Wine Project., a challenging endeavor to visit, taste with and extensively write about every winery in Napa Valley, California. He has now completed 1,100+ visits and written reviews of Napa wineries & producers.
His first book titled 'The Freeways of Los Angeles' was published in 2010.
He is a big proponent of experiential travel, valuing experiences far above "things".
Santa Barbara, CA – Shopping
We always love to mix a little bit of shopping into our travels, especially in Santa Barbara. The city features numerous boutique shops, historical shopping centers, and galleries. Paseo Nuevo is one of our favorites; it is located between State and Chapala Streets in downtown Santa Barbara. Look for the orange trees planted along the walkways near the entrance to Paseo Nuevo along State Street. Usually there are oranges on the trees and … [Read more...]
Santa Barbara, CA – Wineries
The following is a partial list of wineries in Santa Barbara and north of Santa Barbara. Most of these wineries are north of Santa Barbara and are located in the Santa Ynez Valley. This means that most of these wineries are between 40 to 50 miles from Santa Barbara. The Santa Ynez Valley was made popular by the movie Sideways and you can even visit the wineries featured in that movie. All Phone Numbers listed are in the 805 area code. All … [Read more...]
Santa Barbara, CA – Annual Events
January February March April May June July August September October November December January -Hang Gliding Festival on January 1st. Local pilots fly over ocean bluffs and demonstrate precision flying. Phone Number (805) 965-3733 -International Film Festival. Annual Event. Very popular. Premiers and screenings of U.S. and international films. Walk up and down State Street stopping at theatres showing … [Read more...]
Santa Barbara, CA – Orchids
Often called the "American Riviera", Santa Barbara has an ideal climate for growing orchids. In fact Santa Barbara now produces more orchids then any other region in the country. Exotic orchids soon became popular and were heavily planted in the Montecito and Hope Ranch estates. After World War II the oil baron Samuel Mosher spent 1.5 million on breeding orchids at his Dos Pueblos Orchid Company. His breeding grounds provided young plants for … [Read more...]
Santa Barbara, CA – Weddings
Are you planning a wedding in Santa Barbara? Santa Barbara has many unique & wonderful locations for the actual wedding as well as the reception afterwards. A number of couples take their vows or renew their vows at the ever popular and picturesque Santa Barbara Courthouse. The following are links to organizations that have wedding or reception locations available for rent in Santa Barbara. Weddings Good Wedding Resource … [Read more...]
Santa Barbara, CA – Other Info
This is a section for certain items that just did not fit in any of the other parts of this article but still have importance for visitors to Santa Barbara. The following are in alphabetical order by category. Bookstores 1. Paperback Alley is located at 5840 Hollister Avenue in Goleta. They have been in business for over 20 years and have over 50,000 used books in stock. Their Phone Number is (805) 967-1051. 2. The Book Den is located … [Read more...]
Santa Barbara, CA – More Info
A visitor information Center, operated by the Chamber of Commerce, is located at No. 1 Santa Barbara Street, at the corner of Cabrillo Boulevard near Stearns Wharf. They are open Monday through Saturday from 9am to 5pm, and on Sunday from 10am to 5pm. From October through April the hours vary slightly. During these months they are open Monday through Saturday from 9am to 4pm, and on Sunday from 10am to 4pm. Their Phone Number is (805) 965-3021. … [Read more...]
San Luis Obispo, CA
San Luis Obispo, California (Population 45,595) is located nearly midway between Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay area. With urban sprawl kept to a minimum and almost ideal weather this town is a great place to live! San Luis Obispo is located about 240 miles from San Francisco and about 200 miles to Los Angeles. Driving the scenic route along Highway 1 to San Francisco is about 260 miles. Highway 1 is certainly slower then Highway 101 … [Read more...]
San Luis Obispo, CA – Thursday Farmers Market
Every Thursday night (except in the case of inclement weather) the main street, Higuera, is closed to all vehicles - and barbecues, produce vendors, and entertainment fills the streets (6pm to 9pm). The tradition of the Thursday night market started in the 1800's when instead of barbecues the locals would gather around a large pit in the ground on Higuera street. Wild bears from the county and bulls were put into the pit and left to fight. After … [Read more...]