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The Mission - This is where it all began
for Santa Barbara. The mission is one of the most beautiful
in the state and offers real historic insight. Many events
are scheduled at the Mission and it continues to be a
focal point of cultural and religious activity. |
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The Waterfront is at the Heart of Santa
Barbara beauty and a great source of entertainment. You'll
find three beaches, several excellent restaurants, a wharf,
a museum, a harbor and a skate park. If you are visiting
Santa Barbara, this is an absolute must-see. |
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The Courthouse - This gorgeous but functional
structure is just 75 years old but it has the look and
feel of a 200 year old Spanish Colonial. If you are planning
to visit, make a point of going to the top of the tower
- the view is spectacular. |
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The Zoological Gardens - One of the nation's
best small zoos, this is a visit for the entire family.
The Zoo was developed like a park, with plenty of picnic
and open areas. The animals are easily viewed and the
setting is intimate. They say its a small zoo but there
are 600 animals! |
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Santa Barbara Museum of Art - This wonderful
museum boasts an excellent combination of permanent and
special exhibits. Although it's not an enormous museum
(you can see it all in about 90 minutes), it has an impressive
permanent collection of Asian art that is a must-see.
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El Presidio State Historic Park - One of
the most significant historical buildings in Santa Barbara,
El Presidio has been reconstructed faithfully based on
historic and archeological evidence. It combines great
beauty and real function, as it is the home for many events
throughout the year. |
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Casa de La Guerra - Another must see. From
the outside you'd never really know that this was a wonderful
museum with some fabulous vignettes. Since it was initially
built (~1817) the Casa has been the center of civic, political
and even social affairs. |
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The Museum of Natural History - One of the
many surprise finds, this excellent museum displays the
flora and fauna of Santa Barbara and the Channel Islands.
There is also an extensive section on Prehistoric Native
American life. |
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The Botanic Gardens - These wonderful gardens
are a bit out of the way, but definitely worth the trip.
There are many events planned by the Gardens staff that
give dyed-in-the-wool botanists and new enthusiasts alike
something to learn. |
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Santa Barbara Historical Society Museum
- This museum features both permanent and changing exhibits
that share Santa Barbara's colorful past from the Native
American age to modern times. |
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The Maritime Museum - This is a fascinating
small museum located right on the waterfront. It is filled
with artifacts, displays and history all about the impact
of the sea on the local inhabitants ranging from the Chumash
to present times. |
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Stow House & Railroad Museum - Built
by a prominent ranching family in 1873, Stow House is
a rambling two story house and is the oldest frame house
in the Goleta Valley. The Railroad Museum offers antique
railroad artifacts, photographs and hands-on exhibits
are shown in the agency office and the passenger waiting
room. |
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GPS Coordinates - Each year, the use of
hand-held GPS (Global Positioning System) receivers become
more common place as location-finding tool. Here we provide
you a table of latitude / longitude GPS coordinates of
selected Santa Barbara County destinations. |
