Local Attraction
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Attractions:
- Santa Barbara Museum of Art
- Natural History Museum and Planetarium
- Zoological Gardens-A Child's Estate
- Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens: Just walk out the gate, turn left and cross the street and you are there. Lovely mini-botanical gardens, benches, lawns, scenic walkways and a large pond with Koi, turtles and ducks. It's hard to find a prettier spot anywhere.
- Alameda Park: One and a half blocks from Simpson House, it is one of the oldest parks in Santa Barbara, established in the 1870s. Sunday concerts in the park are a big event during the summer months, and are performed on the 1880s bandstand. Just walk out the gates and turn left. Turn right on Santa Barbara Street, walk a block and you'll see the old bandstand on your right.
- Arlington Theater: Miniature Hispanic Village
- Santa Barbara Mission and Rose Gardens
- Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens
- J. Paul Getty Museum
- Botanic Gardens: Sixty acres of native trees, shrubs, wildflowers and cacti in natural settings. Five miles of easy to walk nature trails. Open daily 8am-sunset. 1212 Mission Canyon Road. Two miles from Simpson House. You can walk, but best to conserve your energy for the lovely trails in the gardens. Exit the driveway, left and turn left at Santa Barbara Street. Follow Santa Barbara Street to Los Olivos St. Turn right, pass the Mission, remain on Mission Canyon Road. At Foothill Road, turn right to Mission Canyon Road on your left. Wind up Mission Canyon to the gardens.
- Franceschi Park: Walk or drive from the Inn. A lovely park, high on the Riviera, with a panoramic view of the city, the sea and the Channel Islands. The park has pleasant walks that wind through four acres landscaped with an unusual, rare botanical collection. 1510 Mission Ridge. Follow the directions to the Botanic Gardens as far as the Mission. Turn right on Alameda Padre Serra (just past the Mission). Left on Moreno Street. Which becomes Mission Ridge. The park entrance sign is on your left.
- Mission Rose Gardens: Walk up to the Mission (approximately 8 blocks) and you'll find lovely lawns, a rose garden that is home to dozens of rose varieties, and beautiful views of the Mission and the ocean.
- Marina and Boat Harbor: Wear casual clothes, as the only place to sit is on the cement quay, but it is worth it. Take your picnic out to the end of the breakwater where you can sit and view the city and the sea. Exit our drive to the right and turn left on State Street. Drive to the Dolphin Fountain at Stearns Wharf and turn right. The Harbor is about 1/2 mile from the Wharf. Turn left on Harbor Way and park in the public parking lot.
- Shoreline Park: Overlooking the ocean, the park sits on a bluff beyond the Boat Harbor. There are tables, benches, and BBQ facilities. It is a favorite spot for kite flying, as it is usually quite breezy. A good site for sunsets. Follow the directions to the Marina but continue to the top of the hill where you'll see the grassy knoll.
- Stearns Wharf: Walk or drive out onto the Wharf and find a sunny spot to sit and watch the gulls, pelicans and the fishermen. This tends to be a busy spot. Take away food is available there.
- Simpson House Gardens: Find a secluded bench in the garden and just enjoy where you are!
- Monarch Butterfly Preserve: California coastline, grasslands, vernal pools and some of this nation's best monarch butterfly groves-all linked by footpaths with stunning views of the Santa Ynez mountains, the Channel Islands and Pacific Ocean. Millions of butterflies migrate to winter roosts in the eucalyptus woodlands. Scientists rate it among the three largest over-wintering sites west of the Rockies.
For a first time visit may we suggest a counter clockwise loop out to the coast and return via the butterfly groves. Directions: Exit Inn driveway to the right and drive to the 101 N. sign. 12 miles north take the Glen Annie/Storke Road exit, turn left on Storke Road. Drive to the first intersection. Turn right on Hollister Ave. and drive 1.6 miles to an unsigned turn off on the left (coast) side of the road. Turn left into the parking lot of Santa Barbara Shores County Park. A picnic overlooking the bluffs is a wonderful way to spend the afternoon.
- Seal Rookery: Our local Harbor Seal Colony is one of four along the Southern California Coast. Seals haul out with their young during the day and night. Adults leave their young on the beach while fishing during the day. Seals may be seen from December 1 through May 31.Visitors are cautioned to view from the cliffs above and not to approach from the beach as this may cause adults to abandon their pups. Exit SH Inn driveway, turn left,
1 1/2 blocks to Garden street and turn right. One mile to 101 South. South on 101 to Bailard exit. Turn right and park at the end of the road. Take the path toward the ocean veering right through the Eucalyptus grove. When you're finished looking for "Surf Dogs", there is a small cart that parks at the end of Bailard Rd. He sells the best "Hot Dogs" around!
- Madame Ganna Walska Estate: This Montecito estate is a botanical showcase, but you'll need to book in advance to visit. The well known Madame Ganna Walska, a polish opera singer purchased this thirty seven acre estate in 1941 and renamed it Lotusland. In creating Lotusland, she experimented freely with bold forms and unusual color combinations. She contrasted serene, traditional vistas with daring theatrical displays. A series of gardens draws the visitor from surprise to surprise, through a delightful labyrinth of landscape adventures. Well worth the wait $10.
- Santa Ynez Valley Vineyards, Wineries and Mission
- Arts and Crafts Fair on Cabrillo Blvd.
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Activities:
- Hiking: Miles of trails meander through the hills, forests and stream-filled canyons of Santa Barbara...truly a hiker's paradise. Some local favorites follow.
Rattlesnake Trail is a moderate level hike with a gain of 900 ft. The trail starts at an elevation of 110 ft. and leads along the picturesque Rattlesnake Canyon. After 1 1/2 miles you will reach Tin Can Junction and a fork in the road. Not to worry, either fork is just over 1/2 mile and will meet up with the main trail. Rattlesnake Trail also branches west to meet Tunnel Trail, or you may go east to Gibraltar Road. Carrying drinking water is advised. To get there: Take Santa Barbara Street to Los Olivos which will become Mission Canyon Road just beyond the Mission. Turn right on Foothill. You will come to Las Canoas Road. (just before the Botanic Gardens). Turn right and follow Las Canoas to Skofield Park where you will see the trail-head just west of the stone bridge that crosses the creek.
Cold Springs Trail is a moderate hike along pools at the lower level. Even in a drought year, the creek has water. The upper level to the waterfall is steep and difficult. The starting elevation is 750 ft. with the ending elevation at 3250 ft! To get there: Drive up Santa Barbara Street to Los Olivos Street and turn right. Drive past the Old Mission and turn right on Alameda Padre Serra toward Montecito to Sycamore Canyon Road and turn left. Continue on Sycamore Canyon Road to Cold Springs Road. Turn left onto Cold Springs and take it to Mountain Drive. Turn right onto Mountain. The trail begins 4/10 mi. east on Mountain Drive.
Romero Canyon Trail is one of our favorites. It is shaded until you are quite near the top of the peak. It is a steady up-hill with an incredibly rewarding view when you reach the top. Walking at a steady pace, it takes about 1 1/2 hours to ascend. You'll see an ocean panorama and the Channel Islands in front of you, and behind you Santa Ynez and miles of surrounding mountain ranges. To get there: Take 101 South to San Ysidro Road, left to East Valley Road. Turn right on East Valley and continue to Romero Canyon Road. (past Birnam Wood Country Club). Turn up Romero Canyon, staying on Romero to Bella Vista Drive where you will turn right. Drive 3/10 mile where you'll see a creek crossing the road. Park anywhere. The trail starts at the east side of the creek.
- Beach: East Beach, located on the east side of Stearn's Wharf, is a wide sandy beach and is where the action is. You can walk for miles. If you walk west you will come to the Boat Harbor then Leadbetter Beach. If the tide is low you can walk around the rocks below Shoreline Park and continue walking, almost forever. Or you may want to walk east, in the direction of LA, and if there is a low tide, go around the bluff to Butterfly Beach.
Butterfly Beach is named for the Monarch butterflies that return here each year. Butterfly is a narrow, local neighborhood beach. You'll find it uncrowded, quiet and totally non-commercial. Drive 101 South to Olive Mill Road. Exit and turn right on Olive Mill. Follow the road as it curves past the Four Seasons Biltmore. Park anywhere near Butterfly Lane.
- Whale Watching: California Gray Whales take to the nutrient-rich Santa Barbara Channel on their annual north/south migration between January and April. Tours depart daily to the waters around Santa Cruz Island.. an added plus for those unfamiliar with the Channel Islands. The south/north migration begins mid February and generally goes through mid May. This trip is about 3 hours in length and stays within two to four miles of our coast. You are guaranteed to see Whales from mid February through mid April or the sailing center will issue you a pass for a future expedition. Sunset Kidd , Santa Barbara Sailing Center , Truth Aquatics.com , The Condor
- Windsurfing
- Boating
- Antique Shopping: An abundance of shops with both antiques and collectibles in Santa Barbara and the little seaside town of Summerland, just south of the Inn.
- Bird Watching
- Horseback Riding
- Shopping: Hispanic State Street Arcades, Shops and Galleries
Unique shopping at a number of boutiques and galleries
Paseo Nuevo - unique shopping mall including Nordstrom and Macy's
Solvang Danish community (shopping and pastries!!!) - Restaurants: from haute cuisine to hamburgers
- Biking: We have complimentary bicycle use available at the Inn. Also available for rent nearby, are 4-wheeled surreys, mountain bikes and beach cruisers.
- Tours: Why not treat yourself to a personalized guided tour with our Travel Valet
- Walking: Red Tile Walking Tour of downtown historic Santa Barbara is a "must do" to get a real feel for Santa Barbara and its past. Ask your Innkeeper for a description and map of the tour. It takes a minimum of 90 minutes and is about 18 blocks long.
Morning Neighborhood Walk takes about an hour. You'll walk from the Inn to the Mission Santa Barbara and return. You will find the Early Morning Walk directions in your Guest Information folder in your guest room.
The Garden Trail is a 1 to 3 mile loop through Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. The garden is home to more than 1,000 species of native trees, shrubs, flowers and grasses, and is a wonderful place to linger and learn. It's only about a mile walk if you walk around the garden, perhaps three miles if you explore all of the garden's side trails.
Ennisbrook Nature Preserve is an enchanting 44 acres of oak woodland along San Ysidro Creek. There is a 1 1/2 mile hiking and riding trail over old stone bridges, through groves of wild oaks and around a stand of eucalyptus trees where Monarch butterflies roost. Easily reached by driving on 101 South to San Ysidro Road, exit left, drive up San Ysidro to East Valley Road where you will turn right. Drive about 1/2 mile and look for the "Private Drive 1681-1721" sign on your right. Please park on the public road and walk into the private drive. Look for 1709, just beyond which is the trailhead.
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