Santa Barbara and surrounding vicinity features a diverse set of beaches ranging from the state park beaches north of town, to the wide flat sand beaches in the vicinity of lower State Street. Beach side bars and restaurants can be found - and are part of the enjoyment of visiting some of the area beaches. State Park beaches charge an entry/parking fee - a receipt is given to you with a piece of tape that you tape to your windshield. Once you … [Read more...]
Santa Barbara, CA – Montecito & San Ysidro Ranch
Montecito is located just south of Santa Barbara off of the 101 freeway. Take the San Ysidro Road exit off of 101 and follow the road to Montecito, continuing straight past East Valley Road. Montecito (Spanish for "little mountain") is an exclusive residential area. Montecito has been compared to Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. Many expansive estates, mansions, and lush exotic gardens dot the area's hilly landscape. The town of Montecito is … [Read more...]
Santa Barbara, CA – City & Regional Parks
For hiking enthusiasts there are dozens of foothill trails in the Santa Ynez mountains. Maps and information can be obtained from Los Padres National Forest Headquarters located at 42 Aero Camino, in Goleta. Chaucer's Bookstore on State Street (mentioned in the Other Information section) has a number of good books and maps on day hiking in the Santa Barbara area. The Phone Number of the Los Padres National Forest is (805) 683-6711. Some of … [Read more...]
Santa Barbara, CA – Accomodation
There are over 5000 rooms in Santa Barbara ranging from full service resorts to moderately priced hotel/motels. Some of these hotels are incredible - there is such a choice its hard to know where to stay. There is also a large choice of bed and breakfast inns. The following list is only a partial one, but provides a sampling of the wide range of places to stay in Santa Barbara. The prices listed below range from the lowest (off season/single … [Read more...]
Santa Barbara, CA – Restaurants
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...]
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...]
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 – Outdoor Activities
Bishop Peak is a very popular hike with Cal Poly and Cuesta students. This is one of a series of nine volcanic mountains and hills that run from San Luis Obispo to Morro Bay (referred to as the Nine Sisters). From the top of Bishop Peak there are excellent views overlooking the ocean and all of San Luis Obispo and the surrounding hills. The primary trail leads off from a dirt parking lot on the north side of Foothill Blvd heading west … [Read more...]
San Luis Obispo, CA – Nearby Destinations
All cities, attractions and sites below are listed in alphabetical order AVILA BEACH is located next to a small bay in the 'shadow' of the Diablo Valley Canyon Nuclear Power Plant. Sometimes when shifts get off at the power plant a long line of cars will empty out all at once (this power plant is set to shut down in the year 2025). Avila Beach is a short drive from San Luis Obispo - only about 15 minutes. After taking the Avila Beach … [Read more...]
San Luis Obispo, CA – Lodging
San Luis Obispo has a diversity of lodging - perhaps more then other towns of this size due to two factors; it is a touristy region and because Cal Poly is located here. Many of the properties are located on upper Monterey street and or in the south of town on Madonna Road. The cheapest lodging can be found during the middle of the week. Prices listed range from the lowest (the off season rates/single person) to the highest (holidays and … [Read more...]
