Santa Barbara, CA – Other Info

Newspapers
The Santa Barbara News Press is located in a gorgeous historical building downtown (De La Guerra Plaza) at 715 Anacapa Street. This is Southern California’s oldest daily newspaper, publishing since 1855. The grass in front of their main offices is a great place to sit down and relax. Visit: www.newspress.com

The Santa Barbara Independent is a weekly publication with offices less then 1/2 mile from the Santa Barbara News Press. Founded in 1987. Visit: www.independent.com
 

Photography – when in Santa Barbara and you need to pick up some photography supplies or a new camera, consider stopping in at Samy’s at 614 Chapala Street or visit their website here: www.samys.com/g/Store-Locations-and-Directions/2220.html

Santa Barbara Bowl is a beautiful outdoor amphitheater in which concerts and other events are held throughout the year. The Bowl seats about 4500 people and is located at 1122 N. Milpas Street.

Parts of the facility recently underwent renovation including the main stage – new bathrooms were also added. Nice walk up to the bowl includes an ourdoor piano (that works just fine) and some various pieces of art. Nothing like taking in a concert here on a warm summer’s afternoon. Phone Number (805) 962-7411 | Website: www.sbbowl.com

Santa Barbara Chamber Music Festival produced their first music festival in 2003 and it has been an annual event ever since. Current Music Director, Heiichiro Ohyama is currently in the process of gathering an outstanding roster of professional colleagues from throughout the United States (Seattle, Houston), and abroad (London).
 

Santa Barbara Film Festival – Many famous actors host the showing of various films. The Festival usually runs for 10 days and draws around 30,000 people. The films are shown in the Arlington Theatre at 1317 State Street. For more information the Phone Number is (805) 963-0023. Also see our Annual Events section for more information. Their web page address is: www.sbiff.org
 

Santa Barbara Symphony Orchestra Association can be reached at Phone Number (805) 898-9626. Symphonies are scheduled regularly during certain months. Watch the relatively new conductor, Nir Kabaretti. You can read more about Kabaretti and the Santa Barbara Symphony in general by visiting their web site at: www.thesymphony.org. Also visit former conductor Gisele Ben-Dor’s personal website at: www.giseleben-dor.com
 

Seafood – in the mood to whip up your very own fresh seafood meal? Santa Barbara is known for excellent seafood. Here are a few places to consider. Down at the wharf tucked in between West Marine and the tourist shops and restaurants in Unit F is a small seafood vendor – selection is small, but always fresh. Visit their website at: www.sbfish.com

Also note that fisherman will sell their catches Saturday mornings at the wharf – starting usually around 7am. The best place to get clams when in season is Costco off of Glenn Annie up in Goleta. Good prices; available only on Fridays and Saturdays when in season.

Also consider Kanaloa Seafoods located at 618 Gutierrez Street. Phone Number: (805) 966-5159 In a recent Santa Barbara Independent survey, Kanaloa was voted the best fresh seafood market in Santa Barbara. Also visit our listing of Santa Barbara’s Restaurants.
 

Taxi Services

Santa Barbara area Tour Companies

Street Performers are quite creative in Santa Barbara. Often you will see musicians playing various instruments along State Street. You may see the “colored car” – this appears to be a cart with wheels that is covered with an incredible array of multi-colored rags and pieces of cloth.

The owner of this may charge you if you take photographs of his cart. Sometimes in the sand near Stearns Wharf you may see blankets spread out on the sand with cups or small dishes in the center of the blankets. These are homeless who invite people walking along the wooden Stearns Wharf to throw coins and try to get them into one of their cups. They have some very cleverly written cardboard signs sometimes!
 

Weddings
Santa Barbara is a special place for weddings and other family events. For a complete listing of special event suppliers call this Phone Number: (800) 927-4688. Also visit Dave’s Wedding’s Page.