What to Do in Santa Barbara When You're Not Tasting Wine

Santa Barbara has a lot going on, so you can probably while away a morning and afternoon just wandering around the downtown area people watching, shopping, eating, and soaking up the alternating waves of the bohemian, the opulent and the bizarre that will likely bombard you. But if you've got the time and touristy inclinations, there's a lot worth seeing and doing in and around town.

The Santa Barbara Mission (2201 Laguna St.), often referred to as the "Queen of Missions," is quite possibly the jewel in Santa Barbara's crown, and while you can't exactly walk to it from downtown, it's well worth seeing. While you're in the area, and especially if you're with your kids, it might be worth checking out the nearby Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, which is said to be rather exciting if you're into that kind of thing (embarassing disclosure: we are). Also off the beaten path is Lotusland, a 37-acre Montecito estate that once belonged to Polish opera singer Ganna Walska, a woman of eccentric tastes. In keeping with those tastes, Lotusland has a few eccentricities of its own: the only option for visiting is to take a two-hour tour, held twice daily Wed.-Sat. (at 10 and 1:30), and children under 10 are not permitted except for on Thursdays and on the second Saturday of each month (FYI, July 11 happens to be the second Saturday in July). Those not up for the level of commitment that Lotusland demands might find solace at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden (1212 Mission Canyon Rd.), with its trails winding along 78 acres of native plants AND what we're sure are riveting demonstrations of how the now-extinct Chumash tribe used plants to create clothing, baskets and structures.

As for what sights can be accessed with just your feet, a bike, or the 25-cent electric trolley, there are actually quite a few that shouldn't be missed. The Santa Barbara County Courthouse (1100 block of Anacapa St.) should be first on the list; its architectural splendor will, among other things, provide Michael Jackson fans with the consolation that their beloved pop icon at least endured his various disgraces in stunning surroundings. At the foot of State St. along Cabrillo Blvd., you can find another of Santa Barbara's most visited landmarks, Stearn's Wharf. If the weather isn't gorgeous (not likely), you can take refuge at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art (1130 State St.), which has some impressive holdings in ancient sculpture, impressionist paintings, and Asian and Latin American art if any of those are your thing(s), or at the Karpeles Manuscript Library (21 W. Anapamu St.), which, with its world's largest privately owned collections of rare manuscripts, often has some pretty humbling exhibits.

Keep in mind that you can see all of the above, both within walking distance and beyond, on a 90-minute tour operated by the Santa Barbara Trolley Co. The trolley departs from (and returns to) Stearn's Wharf, but you can hop off at any of the designated trolley stops anywhere along the 90-minute tour and get back on whenever you wish (a trolley usually comes along every hour). The fare is $18 a person per day, but, as the trolley conductor will likely tell you many, many times throughout the tour, your ticket gets you discounts at a number of area establishments as well as free bowl of chowder (whoot!), good for up to one year. Those not stalwart enough to brave the relentless shilling of the trolley man can check out Santa Barbara Car Free's website for bike route and walking tour maps of the area. And in a pinch, if you click on the map above, you'll access a larger, more-reader friendly version that might help get you oriented.

Kid-Friendly
If you're traveling with a kid or two (or five) with some energy to burn, the nautical-themed Chase Palm Park and Shipwreck Playground (Cabrillo St., between Garden St. and Calle Cesar Chavez) tends to be a favorite with children and adults alike, as is Kid's World (Garden St. at Micheltorena St.), a public playground with a castle-shaped maze of climbing structures, tunnels and slides. And of course, there's always the truly beautiful, if tiny, Santa Barbara Zoo (500 Ninos Dr.).

Outdoors Enthusiasts
Since we're having this 'do in California, there is of course much to do in the out of doors. If you're committed to getting physical, you can hit East Beach (1118 Cabrillo Rd.) for some pick-up volleyball, cycle along the level, two-lane, 3-mile Cabrillo Bike Lane along Cabrillo Blvd. (you can snag all kinds of wheels for the day at Wheel Fun Rentals [23 E. Cabrillo Blvd.]), or take advantage of one of the area's many golf courses for the day. Those with a taste for adventure should check out Adventours Outdoor Excursions (726 Redding Ave.), where they will happily park your butt on a mountain bike or in a kayak faster than you can say, "How did I get myself into this?"

Registry Info

Though we feel a bit awkward about posting this information--it feels kind of like we're holding a megaphone in a public square, screaming, "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!"--it does seem like the thing to do to help those that wish to get us a wedding present find that present. To that end, we've posted below a list of the places we've registered, but please keep in mind that the best present you could possibly give us is simply being at the wedding. We would take that over a place setting any day!

1. Alvin Magnon
We put together a registry for "special occasion" china and crystal at Alvin Magnon in Tampa, FL. If you click on the hyperlink above (or to the right, under Quick Links), it will take you right to the registry site. However, the site has one slight kink: it doesn't post pictures of the requested items next to those items, so it might feel a bit like buying blind. So, if you're interested in what the china and crystal we've requested might actually look like, here's the skinny: the Maldives pattern is the one pictured on the registry site (as well as on this blog,above), the Arcades pattern is pictured right next to this little blurb, and the crystal can be viewed by clicking on the hyperlink (wherever you see the word crystal in a different color from the rest of the text). For technophobes, you can call Alvin Magnon at (813) 872-9374.

2. Silver Queen
We've registered for "estate" (read: gently pre-owned) silver at Silver Queen in Largo, FL. Their site is COMPLETELY nuts and difficult to navigate, so the hyperlink should get you right where you need to be--and the pattern we selected is pictured here. If you click on the Silver Queen hyperlink and are insanely confused (not uncommon), they can also be reached by phone at (800) 262-3134.

3. Just Give
We're incredibly grateful for all that we have been given in life, and so would be thrilled if, instead of giving us a traditional wedding present, you helped us share the wealth by donating to a charity on our registry with justgive.org.

4. Crate & Barrel and Bed Bath & Beyond
We've registered at Crate & Barrel and Bed Bath & Beyond for the items that we anticipate using more or less every day. However, we want to point out that you can find many of the items from our registry (especially those from Bed Bath & Beyond) at T. J. Maxx and Tuesday Morning (aka, Carolyn's favorite stores). If you manage to nab something from an "alternative" location, Bed Bath & Beyond and Crate & Barrel never have to know about it. Just let us know so we can remove the item from the registry.

Where to Stay

Once you've taken care of getting here, you're going to want to find a place to lay your head--and because hotels book up VERY quickly here in the summer, this is another planning issue you don't want to put off for too long. The list below is divided into four categories to help you find a place to stay that's just your speed. The first category, "Hot Spots," consists of hotels that are close enough both to State Street and to wedding event sites to allow for a completely car-free weekend; the second, "Far(ther) from the Madding Crowd," will be useful to those of you who prefer something a little more tucked away. "Get Your Camp On" is aimed at the few, the proud who are making the wedding one destination of many on their summer road trips, and the final section, "Last Resorts," is a must-see for anyone who has put off making reservations until the last minute and now can't find anywhere affordable to stay.

Hot Spots

1. The Canary Hotel
The Canary (31 W. Carrillo St.), the site of both the wedding and the reception, will be at the dead center of the action on Saturday night--whether you want to book a room here or not will depend a lot on whether you think that's a good or a bad thing... and how partial you are to Spanish/Mediterranean decor. While the rooms are not on the whole enormous, they are beautifully appointed. Besides, you'll probably be spending all of your free time at the amazing rooftop pool. When we stayed there, there were morning rooftop yoga classes at which to use the in-room yoga mats, and workout fanatics will be pleased to note that guests have access to the Spectrum Gym next door.

2. Hotel Santa Barbara
Just four blocks away from the Canary is the Hotel Santa Barbara (533 State St.), where the biggest draw is the location--it's right in the heart of downtown and literally steps from anything in the downtown area that you might want to get to. And since it's been around since 1926 (restored, of course), it's got lots to offer in the way of charm, too. If these amenities aren't enough to hook you, they also have a slew of the usual ones: full continental breakfast, free wireless access, and (wait for it) your own newspaper to peruse during breakfast.

3. The Hotel Virginia
Okay, while we're going to come right out and admit that the Hotel Virginia is actually a Holiday Inn Express, we can promise that it isn't your typical Holiday Inn Express! The original Hotel Virginia was built between 1916 and 1925, but had fallen on hard times before the Holiday Inn Express chain took over. The hotel is still on the National Register of Historic Places, and the restoration process was careful enough to gain the hotel a "Santa Barbara Beautiful" award, an honor the city does not bestow lightly (see the city's uniform design schema for an example of Santa Barbara's quasi-fascist city planning specifications). Plus, the Hotel Virginia is right around the corner from the Hotel Santa Barbara and State St., which means it's close to the Canary and to everything else you might want to do downtown. AND you can eat your "expanded" continental breakfast on the balcony overlooking the mountains and city.

4. The Presidio Motel
The Presidio Motel (1620 State St.) may be Santa Barbara's best kept secret, though after its recent write-up in Santa Barbara Magazine, it may not be a secret for much longer. All the more reason to lock in the current rate for one of their 16 funky-yet-modern rooms. There's nothing remotely motelish about its quirky, individually-designed interiors or its sundeck looking out onto the mountains, and the staff, while uber-hip, is friendly and charming. They're not skimpy with the amenities either--they offer a continental breakfast, free in-room wireless, and (this is the best part) free bikes for patron use. Those bikes might come in handy since the Presidio is a little further from the Canary and other downtown destinations than the hotels listed above (0.8 miles, but still--that can be a long way in heels). Oh, and we should mention that many rooms have two king-size beds, which makes them ideal for buddying up to conserve (financial) resources.

Far(ther) from the Madding Crowd

1. The Upham Hotel & Country House
Though located just two blocks from State St. and 0.5 miles from the Canary, the Upham has a haven-esque feel thanks to its roomy Victorian architecture and surrounding acre of gardens. Its 50 guest rooms range from garden cottage master suites with fireplaces and jacuzzis to simple bungalow rooms with queen beds and just what you need for a good night's sleep. If for some reason they're all booked up at the Upham, you can always check out the rooms at the Tiffany Country House next door.

Get Your Camp On (for Road Trippers)

1. Santa Barbara Area Beach Camping
There are 4 beaches in Santa Barbara County that offer camping. From south to north, these are Carpinteria State Beach (about 10 miles south of SB), El Capitan State Beach (about 17 miles north), Refugio State Beach (about 20 miles north) and Gaviota State Beach (about 33 miles north). All four of these campgrounds are oceanside, all accept both tents and RV's, and all offer your standard camping amenities: onsite parking, picnic tables and barbecues, showers and flush toilets, etc. Please note, though, that the proximity, affordability and natural beauty of these campgrounds make them extremely popular, and by late March many of the best sites are already taken. As with any place you might want to stay around Santa Barbara, it's a good idea to make your reservations as early as possible.

2. El Capitan Canyon Campground
If you've had enough of roughing it, or if your idea of roughing it consists of wallowing on a down duvet in a canvas safari tent, you might find El Capitan Canyon campground to your liking. Pioneers in the field of "glamping" (glamorous camping--sadly, this term does exist), the folks who run this place claim to offer "minimalism without deprivation, comfort without overindulgence." Trust us, El Capitan Canyon takes the "ground" out of campground. It's 17 miles north of downtown Santa Barbara, though, so it might be a choice only for those who really want to get away from it all, or a good spot to wind up a vacation.

Last Resorts

1. El Prado Inn
Right across from the Presidio is the back-to-basics El Prado Inn (1620 State St.). We'll let a nice gentleman from Tripadvisor fill you in on its merits: "El Prado Inn is one of the least expensive 'inn's' in Santa Barbara, but that does not mean it is bad. The El Prado has a quaint courtyard and outdoor patios with chairs. Air conditioning consists of window units and hallways are covered with astro turf, so it is definitely not 5 star. But for the price and location (top of State street) you can't really complain too much." If that's not a ringing endorsement, we don't know what is.

Getting To Santa Barbara

Right now, plane fares are at the lowest we've seen them in quite awhile, so if you're thinking you can make the trip, it's a good idea to book your tickets, either into Santa Barbara or into Los Angeles, ASAP. Once you've booked your flight, feel free to let us know your flight info--we can try to help people who are arriving together find each other to share cabs or rent-a-cars, or arrange to pick up groups of people from the airport.

Flying into Santa Barbara (SBA):
A few airlines (Alaska Air, Allegiant Air, American, Delta, Horizon, United and US Air) actually do have reasonably priced direct flights running to the Santa Barbara airport from Las Vegas, San Francisco, Phoenix, Portland and Dallas. Counterintuitively, in a preliminary and admittedly cursory overview of fares for flying into Santa Barbara from Philadelphia and Newark, we found that flying into SB was actually cheaper than flying into Los Angeles. So if you're okay with making a stop or two, it might be worth your while to check out what kinds of fares are available before booking your flight to LAX--flying into SB would surely make Sunday morning a less painful affair.

For a full range of your ground transportation options once you get there, check out the Santa Barbara Airport webpage. And of course, you can always call one of us to come and get you!

Flying into Los Angeles (LAX):
All major and even most minor airlines fly into LAX, so finding a flight shouldn't be a problem. The trick is figuring out what to do once you get there. Renting a car is a solid option, and all major rental car agencies service LAX. But if renting a car isn't your speed, never fear--we've tried to keep most of the wedding plans within walking distance of the Canary and other hotels where most people will be staying. Plus, Santa Barbara has a strange but kind of wonderful (and cheap) little trolley that runs along State Street to the beach. As an added bonus for not using a private car to get to Santa Barbara, you're eligible for a substantial discount at many area hotels (including the Hotel Virginia!) and a swag bag full of discounts on restaurants and activities, courtesy of Santa Barbara Car Free.

If you aren't renting a car, the transportation method of choice is the Santa Barbara airbus, which will pick you up from LAX and deposit you at the Hotel MarMonte (1111 E. Cabrillo Blvd).

Semi-Locals
Of course, for those of you who live in Los Angeles who would rather not drive up, Amtrak is always an option. And if you're feeling particularly adventurous, there's a Greyhound Station right across from the heart of the action, the Canary Hotel in downtown Santa Barbara.

Welcome to Our Wedding Weblog!

If you're taking the time to check out this "wed-log" (groan), we're hoping it means that you've received your Save the Date and are entertaining the possibility of coming all the way to Santa Barbara to celebrate this special occasion with us. As a token of our gratitude, we thought it would be a good idea to set this site up as a tool to help you plan your stay and make it as enjoyable and gratifying as possible--it's the least we could do!

Santa Barbara is a pretty amazing town, full of spots both swanky and down-to-earth, so there's something for everyone. On this site we'll be posting everything we know about places to stay, places to eat, places to shop, and places to drink, as well as plenty of things to do while you're in those places. Basically, if you have any questions about places or things, this site will be a great resource.

Hopefully, it will also be a useful aid for finding travel information and, if you're traveling alone, potential roommates and/or carpools. And if there's anything you would like to know about that you can't find here, just drop us a note by clicking on the word "Comments" (in blue) at the bottom of any post. We'll figure it out and put a post up about it!

Thanks so much both for visiting the site and for being a part of this event! We are so excited, and so grateful to you for coming.