Santa Barbara travel guide

The residential town of Santa Barbara is a renowned seaside resort situated 92 miles north of LA. The good all year round climate with 84% of sunny days, the 25 miles of coastline and the pretty surroundings gained it the name of American Riviera. It features a good mix of historical sites, a scenic waterfront with bars and restaurants and old-world architecture. Founded in 1782 Santa Barbara has kept its Spanish identity in the colonial adobe-style houses, the portico lined squares and the quiet streets. For a city with only 90000 inhabitants, Santa Barbara offers a good selection of attractions such as art galleries, museums, theatres, botanical gardens and outdoor bars and restaurants. An annual film festival continues the city’s cinema history as the first filming location in California. The American Film Company, Inc produced many silent movies before the cinema industry was claimed by Hollywood that remains the Film Capital, however Santa Barbara is still a favourite filming spot for many directors.
Not only is Santa Barbara a favourite holiday spot for the rich and famous, but it is also the place where many celebrities chose to make their home among them Kirk Douglas, Steve Martin and Oprah Winfrey.