The Arroyo Hondo Nature Preserve is located about a half hour drive up the 101 from Santa Barbara. It is mainly comprised of a stunning canyon with a creek that opens into the ocean, although there is no beach access. Arroyo Hondo’s 782 acres offer several great hiking trails and is open to the public on the first and third weekends of the month with reservations required. You can also make appointments with the preserve manager or come to a volunteer day. The preserve is owned by ...

Was it the draw of gray frigid waters? Was it maybe the challenge of crossing a cold bay without a wetsuit? Could it be for bragging rights, contending with the potential of a Great White attack? Maybe they were drawn by the aura of elite competitive athletes, some of whom are their idols. Whatever the reason, three Santa Barbara Swim Club youths traveled to San Francisco Bay over the weekend to compete in the legendary Tiburon Mile open water swim.
Walker Bell, age 13, Paige Brown, age 12, ...

Knapp’s castle is a mysterious landmark located atop the Santa Ynez mountains to the North of the city of Santa Barbara. From these old ruins a stunning panorama of the city, coastline, and channel islands can be seen from the road, and an expansive view of the Santa Barbara back country can be seen after a short walk to the ruins.

Knapp’s castle is on privately owned land but open to the public. It can be reached rather easily from East Camino Cielo road. Take highway 154 turn right ...

Nestled away in a Santa Barbara Victorian neighborhood, Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens, the “crown jewel” of parks, is an unexpected treasure. The park covers a full block, bordered by Garden Street, Micheltorena, Santa Barbara Street, and Arrellaga, and is a short walk from downtown.

The allure of this garden park is seen from every angle, as it is comprised of carefully planned exhibits of beautiful and unique foliage set into natural patterns and groupings. The gardens are planted ...

A lot of people would think as they hear the word "downtown" that it's a busy, populated and polluted area of a somehow big city. Downtown Santa Barbara is none of those. This town is so small that the streets are still bricked and narrow, and the houses are still sporting that old Mediterranean style on tiny lots, which makes the real estate in this county one of the most expensive around the United States. However, that's the good part: small area, less people.
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The road is windy so load your pockets with Dramamine. The views are life changing so grab your camera. The destination is a bit desolate so make sure you tell someone where you’re headed; the cell phones are spotty there.

For a change of perspective, a different angle on the world you live in, or if you just long to feel on top of it all, head on up to Gibraltar Rock.

There are people born and raised in Santa Barbara, that have never been there, and there are those like ...