Sections
805 Links
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.
Another good news is that you don't have to live in Santa Barbara, or even spend a night to enjoy it (but if you did enjoy it so much, you might want to consider checking in a hotel room, which is pretty costly, too). But whatever plans you may have, downtown Santa Barbara is an ideal, quick getaway, even for those who are just passing by.
The fun all starts at State Street. The MTD buses heading downtown all stop at their terminal at Carrillo St. If you're here majorly focused on the shopping strip, this is the stop you'd want to get off at. Just one or two turns from the bus terminal, Carrillo St. would meet with State Street--the main heart of Santa Barbara.
Think of State as a long strip where you can do, buy, and see anything you want, because it has shopping boutiques, antique stores, book stores, cafes, theaters, restaurants, bars, and other variety shops in just one length! Because of the downtown being so small and narrow, the population is not as suffocating as you'd first expect it to be; it's actually scant, if you know the right time to visit. If you're the almost-claustrophobic type who wants to avoid the surf of the crowd, then you might want to come on weekday mornings or afternoons before the rush hour. However, if you like the people and the busy streets, Friday and Saturday nights are suitable for you, when the town is alive and kicking with plays of lights and music for the weekend nightlife. Still, you can enjoy it during Sunday evenings, when the crowd is already simmering down and resting for another week ahead.
State Street has a lot to offer, seeing that all the other streets in the area lead to it. There is the Paseo Nuevo, a relatively small plaza where you would most likely go to first for its public parking lot (which may be free or with pay depending on how long you're going to stay). As you leave your car and finally walk along the plaza, you'd find more shops available under the comfortable Californian atmosphere. There are also various stalls located in different points in Paseo Nuevo, mostly offering fancy jewelry and vintage finds, and then a public rest area with tables, shades, and a glorious fountain in the middle of it for those who want to take a relaxing break.
While you're at it, you can also visit the famous Old Mission Church located at State and Mission as you head north and away from the shopping district. It's a lengthy walk, so you might want to take your car. However, it's also a nice idea to go by foot, as Santa Barbara is not polluted and there are nice suburban views to look at, making it walker-friendly. The Old Mission Santa Barbara dates back to the late 1700s, and with its architectural beauty and fragility, its pristine location and a vast view of the ocean, it's certainly no wonder that it has become one of the few most beloved tourist spots in Santa Barbara. As you go inside, you'd find more of this church's photogenic allure, all draped in dramatic lighting. There are no banning rules for photography, so take all the time you want to get good shots of the fabulous interior, as long as you don't disturb others. You can also stop by the gift shops located at the side of the church, where there are available books, clothing, candles, and the whole history of the church in one whole room.
But still, if you don't want to take the church route, something else is waiting as you head south as well, where a couple of blocks away lies the Pacific Ocean, presented by the Stearns Wharf, a popular tourist and relaxation spot just straight down State Street. If you have a car, the pier allows parking in the middle of it (yes, you can drive through to the inside of the pier). If you don't have a car, you can walk or bicycle (which is a long distance as well) or catch the Waterfront Shuttle that is roaming around State Street for only $.25 a ride. See Stearns Wharf during a clear day, when the sunset would be at its best. Fishing is permissible out on the dock, and near the parking lot are the Ty Warner Sea Center and a few restaurants. It is a quiet place to enjoy conversations, some calm fishing time by yourself or by group, or simply sit out on the sand.
Heading back up to State Street, enjoy the other least-seen parts, including the Library Museum of Art, the Granada Theater, and a few parks, such as the Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden, the Alameda Park, and the Ortega Park. But if you're already too exhausted from the walk around State Street, sit down and have a cup of coffee in one of the outdoor cafes, where you can enjoy the passing by of people and the occasional sound of street musicians. After a day in downtown Santa Barbara, you would be surprised at how such a small town is able to give out a lot of enjoyable things to do and see, that you might even also consider booking that hotel room nearby.
