Breakfast in America. The Summerland Beach cafe is a fun, old-school family place. We went there early one morn, after seeing the sunrise. Shown here are its famed list of historic 'Etiquette Rules' beside its fly-hunting frog.
Breakfast in America. The Summerland Beach cafe is a fun, old-school family place. We went there early one morn, after seeing the sunrise. Shown here are its famed list of historic 'Etiquette Rules' beside its fly-hunting frog.
0 2025/06/11 18:00:50
Incontestably, this was the most unexpected shop in all of SB. OK, maybe tied with the axe-throwing (no joke) active funhouse in the main drag of State Street! Next: we are nearing the end, so let's go for some water tours.
Incontestably, this was the most unexpected shop in all of SB. OK, maybe tied with the axe-throwing (no joke) active funhouse in the main drag of State Street! Next: we are nearing the end, so let's go for some water tours.
0 2025/06/11 18:02:14
The friendly garden greeter. His booth was surrounded by a variety of floral exotica. We were about to see cacti, orchards, topiary (bushes as animals), sphagnum moss bromeliads, , dragon trees, orchids, rare agave, rose parterre (out of season) and the famed 'shakkei' Japanese section. Daijobu!
The friendly garden greeter. His booth was surrounded by a variety of floral exotica. We were about to see cacti, orchards, topiary (bushes as animals), sphagnum moss bromeliads, , dragon trees, orchids, rare agave, rose parterre (out of season) and the famed 'shakkei' Japanese section. Daijobu!
0 2025/06/10 12:37:21
Beside that dogwood, this backlit beauty, with the sound of bees somewhere nearby. Someone had placed a lovely white flower in the lap of the Buddha statue. We also saw ferns near the lotuses and lily pond.
Beside that dogwood, this backlit beauty, with the sound of bees somewhere nearby. Someone had placed a lovely white flower in the lap of the Buddha statue. We also saw ferns near the lotuses and lily pond.
0 2025/06/10 12:38:53
Pretty purple.
Pretty purple.
0 2025/06/10 12:39:41
Please feel free to add any posts based on your own experiences in Santa Barbara, be they photographic, raves, rants or opinions. Locals, don't be shy mkay?
Please feel free to add any posts based on your own experiences in Santa Barbara, be they photographic, raves, rants or opinions. Locals, don't be shy mkay?
0 2025/06/07 16:02:18
Oxnard, am I right? We landed in Goleta, where the Santa Barbara Airport is located. That descent took us right over the UCSB campus and its waterfowl pond, plus some great local beach-hikes: Haskells, Devereux and More Mesa. Goleta's famed Butterfly Reserve saw one of its all-time low numbers of migrating Monarchs this year. That town has an annual lemon fest. A maga convoy from Goleta drove though SB just prior to our arrival. It seems that they carried lewd placards in front of children.
Oxnard, am I right? We landed in Goleta, where the Santa Barbara Airport is located. That descent took us right over the UCSB campus and its waterfowl pond, plus some great local beach-hikes: Haskells, Devereux and More Mesa. Goleta's famed Butterfly Reserve saw one of its all-time low numbers of migrating Monarchs this year. That town has an annual lemon fest. A maga convoy from Goleta drove though SB just prior to our arrival. It seems that they carried lewd placards in front of children.
0 2025/06/07 16:03:56
I rest my case.
I rest my case.
0 2025/06/07 16:04:25
The sport still attracts enthusiasts of all ages and genders.
The sport still attracts enthusiasts of all ages and genders.
0 2025/06/07 16:04:34
The annual SB Film Festival was on during our stay. One downtown theatre on the semi-pedestrian main artery State Street was reserved for its special events. I also enjoyed the new Led Zeppelin doc. There, I met the former singer for Pure Prairie League, a fellow Zephead.
The annual SB Film Festival was on during our stay. One downtown theatre on the semi-pedestrian main artery State Street was reserved for its special events. I also enjoyed the new Led Zeppelin doc. There, I met the former singer for Pure Prairie League, a fellow Zephead.
0 2025/06/07 16:04:40
The new Dart Coffee branch in the marina (a must) featured this stained-glass collage of local themes: sailing, water birds, land and sea, lighthouses, the Channel islands, oil platforms, dolphins, fish, seaweed kelp, seals and sea lions, a regatta.
The new Dart Coffee branch in the marina (a must) featured this stained-glass collage of local themes: sailing, water birds, land and sea, lighthouses, the Channel islands, oil platforms, dolphins, fish, seaweed kelp, seals and sea lions, a regatta.
0 2025/06/07 16:35:53
Good quality street art can be found throughout. The best have important social messages, as opposed to sloppy gang tags.
Good quality street art can be found throughout. The best have important social messages, as opposed to sloppy gang tags.
0 2025/06/07 16:37:06
An angel come to earth.
An angel come to earth.
0 2025/06/07 16:37:20
Norah is the manager of justly-popular Brophy Bros seafood restaurant. We had a lovely chat after discovering some things in common.
Norah is the manager of justly-popular Brophy Bros seafood restaurant. We had a lovely chat after discovering some things in common.
0 2025/06/07 16:37:27
There are plentiful activities for young people in SB.
There are plentiful activities for young people in SB.
0 2025/06/07 16:33:51
Tony the sand sculptor.
Tony the sand sculptor.
0 2025/06/07 16:34:32
We began in LA. by staying overnight in a cheap hotel on the border of Chinatown. Not two minutes after we'd plopped our luggage down, a few shots rang out on the streets below.
We began in LA. by staying overnight in a cheap hotel on the border of Chinatown. Not two minutes after we'd plopped our luggage down, a few shots rang out on the streets below.
0 2025/06/07 16:03:01
Actually, we flew on United up to Santa Barbara. Above shows our take-off. We see (I think) Playa del Rey and the Marina del Rey peninsula, maybe possibly Venice canal on the far left?
Actually, we flew on United up to Santa Barbara. Above shows our take-off. We see (I think) Playa del Rey and the Marina del Rey peninsula, maybe possibly Venice canal on the far left?
0 2025/06/07 16:03:34
A wine-tasting room in the Funk Zone had the above notice. Their neighboring alley had some excellent street art including an old comic strip showing two young women commiserating. One had just broken up with her boyfriend and wailed, "Oh, what will I do without him?!" Her pal's response: "WINE OBVIOUSLY!!"
A wine-tasting room in the Funk Zone had the above notice. Their neighboring alley had some excellent street art including an old comic strip showing two young women commiserating. One had just broken up with her boyfriend and wailed, "Oh, what will I do without him?!" Her pal's response: "WINE OBVIOUSLY!!"
0 2025/06/07 16:35:14
Pelican on left: "Christ! How many more fotos is this 'Zeebek' guy gonna' show?!" Pelican on right: "Well, there's still the Mission and the Courthouse and..."
Pelican on left: "Christ! How many more fotos is this 'Zeebek' guy gonna' show?!" Pelican on right: "Well, there's still the Mission and the Courthouse and..."
0 2025/06/10 12:40:49
Leadbetter beach lays directly off the SW corner of town.
Leadbetter beach lays directly off the SW corner of town.
0 2025/06/07 17:51:02
A shy exotic.
A shy exotic.
0 2025/06/10 12:41:17
Oil. Offshore East beach in the distance, we see both the Henry and the Hillhouse oil platforms. A century ago, sprawling oil field was a major business here. The 1969 oil spill nearby spawned Earth Day as we now know it.
Oil. Offshore East beach in the distance, we see both the Henry and the Hillhouse oil platforms. A century ago, sprawling oil field was a major business here. The 1969 oil spill nearby spawned Earth Day as we now know it.
0 2025/06/07 17:51:16
Butterfly beach is considered by many locals to be the most desirable. It sits at the bottom of the exclusive Montecito (Cito) neighborhood.
Butterfly beach is considered by many locals to be the most desirable. It sits at the bottom of the exclusive Montecito (Cito) neighborhood.
0 2025/06/07 17:51:51
Hendrys beach at Arroyo Burro park is an absolute must, especially at sunset. Its wonderful Boathouse restaurant remains an excellent place for a meal indoors or out. Dog-walkers will tell you that this is THE best place for oceany dog-walking.
Hendrys beach at Arroyo Burro park is an absolute must, especially at sunset. Its wonderful Boathouse restaurant remains an excellent place for a meal indoors or out. Dog-walkers will tell you that this is THE best place for oceany dog-walking.
0 2025/06/07 17:52:39
Low tide brought out a lot of things, including artistic rocks. These boulders had equally beautiful cousins on land, especially at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden.
Low tide brought out a lot of things, including artistic rocks. These boulders had equally beautiful cousins on land, especially at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden.
0 2025/06/07 17:53:07
Water reflections water reflections.
Water reflections water reflections.
0 2025/06/07 17:53:21
Including this ex-pat gal from Toronto. She saw a bag that I was using to beachcomb and immediately recognized it as being from our city's biggest pharmacy. "Toronto, right?" she approached. She turned out to be a family friend of the guitarist for my heroes 'Rush' (the pride of Toronto). Next day at perennial local fave pizza joint Rustys, we saw another unlikely Rush connection: a pinball machine with a vintage Rush theme! Didn't realize that today's kids celebrated birthdays to Rush songs!
Including this ex-pat gal from Toronto. She saw a bag that I was using to beachcomb and immediately recognized it as being from our city's biggest pharmacy. "Toronto, right?" she approached. She turned out to be a family friend of the guitarist for my heroes 'Rush' (the pride of Toronto). Next day at perennial local fave pizza joint Rustys, we saw another unlikely Rush connection: a pinball machine with a vintage Rush theme! Didn't realize that today's kids celebrated birthdays to Rush songs!
0 2025/06/07 17:53:43
The sun sinks low.
The sun sinks low.
0 2025/06/07 18:50:08
And lower.
And lower.
0 2025/06/07 18:50:53
Le soleil sont disparu.
Le soleil sont disparu.
0 2025/06/07 18:51:14
The Cito Fire Station. Brave folks. Respect. See their Fire Indicator on the far right. *Would you believe it: some of the thieves arrested for raiding homes in Pasadena during the height of the fires were wait for it...dressed as firefighters!
The Cito Fire Station. Brave folks. Respect. See their Fire Indicator on the far right. *Would you believe it: some of the thieves arrested for raiding homes in Pasadena during the height of the fires were wait for it...dressed as firefighters!
0 2025/06/10 12:53:26
From our new Santa Barbara TR. I am done. the sand
From our new Santa Barbara TR. I am done. the sand
0 2025/06/07 21:54:33
As I was photographing this young couple atop an outcrop, the boy's moccasin fell off. I then pretended to try to run away with it.
As I was photographing this young couple atop an outcrop, the boy's moccasin fell off. I then pretended to try to run away with it.
0 2025/06/07 17:54:22
Mrs Z and I were happy as a pair of jolly dolphins. Next: more music then Rick Steves.
Mrs Z and I were happy as a pair of jolly dolphins. Next: more music then Rick Steves.
0 2025/06/07 18:59:39
Each Saturday morn, a modest Fishermans Market occurs down in the marina. About seven stalls are set up offering freshness. We bantered with the youngest pair of fisherman there as they held the above spider crab. I advised them on a new advertising slogan for their oysters: 'MORE ZINC FOR YER DINK!'
Each Saturday morn, a modest Fishermans Market occurs down in the marina. About seven stalls are set up offering freshness. We bantered with the youngest pair of fisherman there as they held the above spider crab. I advised them on a new advertising slogan for their oysters: 'MORE ZINC FOR YER DINK!'
0 2025/06/08 12:13:41
Reddit research was not the only new thing that we tried on this trip. We also pre-ordered some jars of an old favorite honey from previous Cali visits: Star Thistle. It is apparently poisonous to horses. But its taste is excellent, right up there with New Zealand types. My honey and I ordered some from Sonoma-based 'Kiss the Flower' family apiary ahead of time to arrive at our rental. Shown here next to our trip journal. Thx to TTer 'Nutraxfornerves' for having repeatedly assisted our quest.
Reddit research was not the only new thing that we tried on this trip. We also pre-ordered some jars of an old favorite honey from previous Cali visits: Star Thistle. It is apparently poisonous to horses. But its taste is excellent, right up there with New Zealand types. My honey and I ordered some from Sonoma-based 'Kiss the Flower' family apiary ahead of time to arrive at our rental. Shown here next to our trip journal. Thx to TTer 'Nutraxfornerves' for having repeatedly assisted our quest.
0 2025/06/08 12:14:17
The locals came out early for white seabass, cod, spiny lobster, swordfish, abalone and mussels. We self-caterers bought some just-caught halibut. Back as our rental, we put some SPIKE spice that I'd brought from home. The result: Food o' the Gods.
The locals came out early for white seabass, cod, spiny lobster, swordfish, abalone and mussels. We self-caterers bought some just-caught halibut. Back as our rental, we put some SPIKE spice that I'd brought from home. The result: Food o' the Gods.
0 2025/06/08 12:14:24
A view of that dockside market from higher up. Do they ever sell weird fish such as cabezon and those loooooooong oarfish?
A view of that dockside market from higher up. Do they ever sell weird fish such as cabezon and those loooooooong oarfish?
0 2025/06/08 12:14:42
The Valentines Day afternoon tea at San Ysidro Ranch included these sweet treats. More about that later in a dedicated section.
The Valentines Day afternoon tea at San Ysidro Ranch included these sweet treats. More about that later in a dedicated section.
0 2025/06/08 12:15:05
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