| Tips and photos of unusual, out-of-the-way Santa Barbara attractions, posted by real travelers and locals. Santa Barbara Map |
 | Santa Barbara Off the Beaten Path | Tips 1 - 10 of 48 |  |
 PRISTINE BEAUTY by travelgourmet This beach is one of the hidden gems of Santa Barbara. Also known as Hendry's Beach for the family who once owned the land. Located in front of the Douglas Family Preserve at the end of Cliff Drive, it is both a dog leash and leash off beach with a good mile of sand to roam. Many dolphins swim by daily, and while there, I saw a total of 14 dolphins playing in the ocean and swimming along the coast only about 30 yards out. The cliffs that back the beach help to keep the wind and cold off the sand. This beach offers great sunsets. There is a fresh water shower and restroom next to the free large parking lot. A restaurant, the BoatHouse, is located next to the sand. See my restaurant page for information on this restaurant. Leave a Comment
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 MOTHER NATURE AT WORK by travelgourmet This small lake, large pond is home to many water and land birds. I can remember going to this pond when I was only a small child with my parents, who used to feed the ducks on the north side of the pond. It is a warm memory that I have, seeing my parents get such joy out of feeding the wildlife of Santa Barbara. I have taken my children to the same spot to feed the ducks and only trust that they will have the same memories of this wonderful refuge. Located at 1400 E. Cabrillo Blvd. , it is a great walking area for the entire family, especially during a sunny Santa Barbara day. Leave a Comment
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Take a scenic drive through the countryside covered with vineyards and wineries, made famous in the movie "Sideways". Enjoy the rolling hills of the nearby San Ynez, made infamous for Michael Jacksons Neverland Ranch. Feast your eyes on fields of flowers and golden valleys shaded with native scrub oak just outside of Santa Barbara. See the web site below for maps. Leave a Comment
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 Typical wild west by trvlnurse You like the old wild west movies? Well then Santa Ynez valley is the place you otta be and it's civil enough to take the kids. Wine tasting, tour the old saloons or go horseback riding in the hills and you will feel like a real cowboy(girl) in no time a'toll. Home to a few famous folks like Bo Derek and Cheryl Tiegs Leave a Comment
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 Yu lookin' at me by trvlnurse I guess I had never seen a live Ostrich or Emu and I found this delightful farm by accident on the way to Solvang. Entertaining critters and the little shop offers interesting souvenirs made of Ostrich and Ostrich egg shells.- but I did not have the heart to buy anything made of ostrich even though purchases probably support the live ones;( Leave a Comment Other Contact: 610 E. Highway 246, Buellton
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by Yaqui This was neat to find out along our trolley tour the history about this interesting structure that obviously caught my attention. Fess Parkers Double Tree Resort was the site for two locomotive roundhouses of the Southern Pacific Railroads from 1911-1925, in 1925 an earthquake damaged it, but it was refurbished in 1926 and served till 1961. Diesel power replaced the steam locomotives and the structure was eventually demolished by the resort, but the plaza holds the shape of the once historic structure. Leave a Comment
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by Yaqui Located right on Green and Cabrillo Blvd, which follows the beach shore line. This little park has a play yard, pavilion, sidewalks, benches, restrooms, and lots of shade to enjoy the local weather. The have, which caught my attention was the wonderful carrousel. It is the center piece for that park. Leave a Comment
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by Pounder73 If you want a sure fire way to (almost) be kicked out, reach out and hold one of the sulfur crested cockatoos. They are (or were) located on an island of branches just (almost) out of arms length. The closer we leaned over, the more it was evident the bird wanted to play. It was a sweetheart and only wanted some attention and be petted, but the keepers of the zoo did not find this as amusing as we did. Apparently there have been people who have stolen these (expensive) birds, which is the reason they freaked out. From U.S. 101, take either Milpas Street or Hot Springs/ Cabrillo Boulevard Exits to Cabrillo Boulevard, then turn toward the mountains at Ninos Drive Adults (13 - 59): $8.00 Children (2 - 12): $6.00 Seniors (60+): $6.00 Leave a Comment
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 pic from www.ucsb.com by Pounder73 Or better known by the students as "U Can Study Buzzed" In my opinion, UCSB is one of the most beautiful universities in the country, not in terms of architecture, (although that is drastically improving), but in terms of natural surroundings. It is the only university in the States that is located ON the beach. And yes, we do have a Surfing Team. And no, I don’t surf. Also If you want something more on an intellectual side, stop by the U.Cenn (i.e Bookstore) during the day, and find out if there is a concert someone speaking you may like. Leave a Comment
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by trvlnurse Solvang is predominantly a Danish community with what it calls "Quaint Old World" style. Lots of cute shops and eateries. Beware, however that Solvang runs about 20 degrees warmer than Santa Barbara despite only being about 30 miles inland. It was quite a shock, expecting the mild 70's like Santa Barbara, and finding instead a humid 90 degrees. Leave a Comment
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- Inn Of The Spanish Garden
915 Garden Street, Santa Barbara, CA - Extended Stay Santa Barbara North
4870 Calle Real, Santa Barbara, CA - The Parkside Inn
424 Por La Mar, Santa Barbara, CA - Santa Barbara - Days Inn
116 Castillo Street, Santa Barbara, CA - Cheshire Cat Inn
36 W. Valerio St., Santa Barbara, CA - Colonial Beach Inn
206 Castillo St, Santa Barbara, CA - Simpson House Inn
121 East Arrellaga Street, Santa Barbara, CA - Brisas Del Mar In At The Beach
223 Castillo St, Santa Barbara, CA - Hotel Mar Monte
1111 East Cabrillo Boulevard, Santa Barbara, CA - Sandpiper Lodge
3525 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA - El Encanto Hotel and Garden Villas
1900 Lasuen Road (Re-opens early Summer 2009), Santa Barbara, CA - Santa Barbara Inn
901 East Cabrillo Boulevard, Santa Barbara, CA - El Prado Inn Santa Barbara
1601 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA - Four Seasons Biltmore
1260 Channel Drive, Santa Barbara, CA - Best Western Pepper Tree Inn
3850 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA
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