Will be in Santa Barbara in mid September for 2 days/2nights....before heading to Carmel. We've never stayed in Santa Barbara and want to make the best of our time there....what are the "do not miss" things/places in SB? From there we spend 3 nights in Carmel (have been before) and then will be in Napa for a couple of days for an event....we're sooo excited, but clueless about Santa Barbara...THANKS SO MUCH!!

The best way to see what gives is to Google. When we were there we visited the Mission-shopped on State street. Dont forget to eat at the Fish factory on State street. Go to the pier and watch the pelicans. Paul

I live in SB and here are some of my favorite sites that I give to friends that are visiting. I know it's a long list but I hope it helps.

Here are a few good sites to look at for things to do in Santa Barbara

www.independent.com

www.newspress.com/insidesb/insideSB06/index.htm

www.santabarbaraca.com

www.sbbeachhomes.com/links


For Theatre/Entertainment:

www.lobero.com Right off of State Street downtown.

www.artsandlectures.ucsb.edu Univ. of SB

www.sbbowl.com Wonderful venue, outdoors.

www.sohosb.com/index2.html Small local music venue

www.circlebarb.com BBQ dinner and theater at ranch north of town

www.ensembletheatre.com Small theatre

Food:

www.nippers.com Have to be a member to view most of the site but go to Table Talk section to read locals reviews

www.brophybros.com Seafood with view of the harbor

www.sbfarmersmarket.org/index.htm Best market is on Sat downtown

Ourdoors:

www.sbmission.org Santa Barbara Mission

www.davestravel.com/articles/santabarbara/9.htm
Overview of the local beaches

www.santabarbarazoo.org Nice, small zoo near the beach

www.sb-outdoors.org Hikes, biking, walks

www.santabarbarahikes.com/hikes We have some great hikes in the hills very close to the city


Gardens:

www.sbbg.org Botanic garden just minutes from downtown and near the mission

www.lotusland.org Wonderful garden in Montecito, Make reservations early.


Art:

www.sbaacs.com The Sunday arts & craft show at the beach

www.eastongallery.com/index.html Local artists shown in gallery in a Montecito home

www.sbmuseart.org Local Art Museum

I forgot to add the trolley tour. A great way to sit back and get an overview of the city.

www.sbtrolley.com

Great list Maude, now bookmarked for a future trip.

Seagrover, definitely go to their mission. Its by far the nicest we've visited, and we've explored most on the west coast and texas.

Hi, read that long list and have some additional suggestions-Santa Barbara Shellfish Co, at the end of the pier is great for luch, local brews, perfect chowder in a bowl& views of the harbour, Soho for food and music(very popular),The Brown Pelican right on Hendry's beach for dinner and VIEWS.
(I think the Fish factory and Brophies are overrated)Another farmers market on State on Tuesdays, club crawling on lower State between Haley and Ortega,(how old are you?),Also for food-Chase bar and grill(Italian), the Palace Cafe is fun and such good food!(cajun)-walk the harbour out onto the break, have a drink at Endless Summer, for veggies, try the Natural Cafe or the Sojourner(both classic SB hangouts for lunch)-the mission is nice but it's really a quick stop. There's a vast selection of local art any day of the week in Quixotic(on Chapala) and Gallery Paseo-in the Paseo Nuevo mall.Art show is fun if you're here that day, can be dicey if weather is cold etc.Gifts and imports right here at Molina home on Cota, near the Palace Cafe. Oh, and stop at Joes Cafe for a truly stiff libation! Enjoy!

THANKS SO MUCH to everyone for all the fantastic help!! We're so excited and ready for this much needed trip!! We're all in our late 50's, but sometimes we act like our 30-something kids!! Can't wait to explore the links you sent! THANK YOU!!! SB is going to be a great start to our trip based on what you've told me so far!!!

also: Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History if you're into that sort of thing.

Make sure you walk out on the breakwater at the harbor. Personally, we love the Endless Summer cafe' there. (but still need a dose of Brophy's on occasion too)