Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
308
SEEING THE SIGHTS
Historic Downtown
Following a devastating 1925 ear thquake, city planners decr eed that all ne w construction
would follow codes of Spanish and mission-style architecture. In time, the adobe-textured
walls, rounded archways, glazed tile work, and terra-cotta r ooftops came to symboliz e the
Mediterranean ambience that still characterizes Santa Barbara. The architecture also gave a
name to the
Red Tile Tour,
a self-guided walking tour of historic do wntown. The visitor
center (see “ Visitor I nformation,” abo ve) has a map/guide of the tour , which can take
anywhere from 1 to 3 hours, including time to visit some of the buildings, and cvers about
12 blocks in total. Some of the highlights are destinations in their own right.
Santa Barbara County Courthouse
Built in 1929, this grand “ palace” is con-
sidered the local flagship of S panish colonial r evival ar chitecture. It's cer tainly the most
flamboyant example, with impressive facades, beamed ceilings, striking murals, an 85-foot-
high observation clock tower, and formal sunken gardens. Free guided tours are offered on
Monday, Tuesday, and Friday at 10:30am, and Monday through Saturday at 2pm.
1100 Anacapa St.
&
805/962-6464.
www.santabarbaracourthouse.org/sbch. Free admission. Mon-Fri
8am-5pm; Sat-Sun 10am-4:30pm.
Santa Barbara Museum of Art
This little jewel of a museum feels more like the
private galler y of a w ealthy collector. Its leaning is to ward early-20th-centur y Western
American paintings and 19th- and 20th-centur y Asian ar t, but the best displays might
be the antiquities and Chinese ceramics. I n addition, fr equent visiting exhibits featur e
small but excellent collections from other establishments.
1130 State St.
&
805/963-4364.
www.sbmuseart.org. Admission $9 adults, $6 seniors 65 and o ver, $6
students and children ages 6-17, fr ee for children 5 and under , free for everyone every Sun. Tues-Sun
11am-5pm.
11
Elsewhere in the City
Ganna Walska Lotusland
Finds
This secluded, lavishly landscaped 37-acr e estate
is renowned for its ex otic plants and mysterious gar den paths. N amed for the estate 's
vivacious European-born mistress and the r omantic, lotus-filled ponds in her gar dens,
the estate r eflects the late M adame Walska's eccentricity and the skill of her pr estigious
gardeners. She was especially fond of succulents and cacti, interspersing them ar tistically
among native plants and decorativ e objects. Assembled when money was no object and
import regulations were lenient (mostly in the 1940s), the gar den contains priceless rare
specimens—even prehistoric plants that are extinct in the wild. Montecito is a 5-minute
freeway drive south of downtown Santa Barbara.
Note:
Advance reservations are required
and are available up to 6 months in adv ance.
695 Ashley Rd., Montecito.
&
805/969-9990.
www.lotusland.org. Admission $35 adults , $10 childr en
5-18, free for children 4 and under. 2-hr. guided tours mid-Feb to mid-Nov Wed-Sat 10am and 1:30pm.
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
Finds
The Botanic Garden is devoted to indige-
nous California plants. M ore than 5
1
/
2
miles of meandering trails on 65 acr es offer
glimpses of cacti, redwoods, wildflowers, and much more, many arranged in representa-
tional habitats or landscapes. The gardens were established in 1926. You'll catch the very
best color and aroma just after spring showers.
1212 M ission C anyon Rd . (a shor t driv e uphill fr om the mission).
&
805/682-4726.
w ww.sbbg.org.
Admission $8 adults, $6 seniors 60 and over and children 13-17, $4 children 2-12, free for children 1 and
under. Daily 9am-5pm (until 6pm Mar-Oct).
