mark

I'll be spending three nights here in late August. In addition to the mission in Santa Barbara, what sites and/or activities should I not miss? What about dining? I've heard the Wine Cask and the Montecito Inn are good. Any suggestions on other restaurants?

Polly

Be sure to take a self-directed walking tour of the courthouse. There is no tour...just go and walk around. As dumb as it sounds, be assured that you will enjoy it. It is a beautiful red-roofed, three story (I think) open corridor structure designed in the Spanish style. It has an incredible rose window as well as intricately carved furnishings in the courtrooms. Most rooms are open so you can just pop in and walk around. Employees are most gracious and cordial. Once you see it "in person" you are likely to begin recognizing it as it is featured in many movies and tv programs.

kam

There's some really good wine tasting just north of Sta. Barbara--you can get a wine route map almost anywhere in the town. Also, a Citronelle--a spin off of Michel Richard's Citrus in LA--not as good as Citrus but pretty decent French food. There's also a pretty little patio restaurant in the center of town near a very well known wine store near El Paseo---how's that for directions? (it'll make more sense once you get there, I'm not totally crazy!) And, south on 101 toward LA there's a good Mexican/Californian---somebody help me--The Yellow House or the Yellow Barn? Opposite side of the road from the ocean. Pretty drive through the Los Padres National Forest to Ojai--a kind of new age, and you will undoubtedly think wierd California town. Have fun.

Allyson

My husband and I spent some time in Santa Barbara last summer. We ate at Citronelle and had a wonderful meal. Where will you be staying? We stayed at a lovely little B&B, "The Cheshire Cat Inn", which we really enjoyed. Great home-cooked breakfasts. We also took a long walk down State Street onto the Pier and ate fish-n-chips with the seagulls! Definitely check out the mission as well as the Courthouse. Have a good time!

Jeannette

I often go to Santa Barbara for business and pleasure. The Wine Cask and the Montecito Inn are both excellent. Also, we love Tutti's -- a little restaurant in Montecito a couple of blocks from the Montecito Inn. Be sure to try the sourdough waffles with pecan butter and usually covered in a fresh fruit! My husband and I eat so much there that we have to pace ourselves for the rest of the day. The Wine cask has a much more sophisticated menu and you will love it.

Things to do: Walk or bike along the beach by the pier. Tour the Botanical Gardens. Shopping on State Street. Admire the rose garden in front of the Mission. Have a great time!

Christina

I just love Santa Barbara. Here's a couple of restaurant the others didn't mention: Downey's (on State Street, I believe) which is just fabulous, and don't leave without trying the white chocolate and rasberrry mousse desert. Also, the Stone House at San Ysidro Ranch (Where JFK and Jackie honeymooned) is a fabulous place, too.

Things to do:
Stroll along the beach (sorry, I forget the name of the park, but it is at the foot of State Street) on Sunday when they have hundreds of very talented arts and crafts vendors.

Rent bikes (for one or two or four!) or rollerblades and cruise the bike paths along the beach.

The botanical gardens are pretty impressive, with nice walking paths.

Take a drive to wine country in and around Los Olivous -- I especially love the Pinot Noir from Gainey.

Hang out downtown. Lots of great shops.

Drive to Solvang, a bizarre town that looks like Holland, with lots of shops and stuff. Combine this with your winery tour.

If you're really inspired, drive 3 hours north to the Hearst Castle in San Simeon. Its a beautiful drive there, and the tours of the castle are impressive -- reservations are needed though.

Good luck and have fun.

Dayle

Santa Barbara is very nice, with lots to do. All recommendations above are great! I would recommend 1 night at the Ballard Inn, a wonderful B&B I recently discovered. Ballard is a tiny town (2 streets, 1 stop sign) between Solvang (which was settled by Danish immigrants) and Los Olivos. Walk down to the 1800's school house. That whole area has some great winerys. Recommend one of the newer ones, Sunstone, east of Solvang. Excellent wine and a lovely "country French" patio for picnics. Have a fun trip!