24 hours of Classic California Fun in Santa Barbara, California
Breakfast - Start the day in a place you will go back to again and again while in Santa Barbara - State Street. This is Santa Barbara's wonderful downtown area. Go to the large outdoor mall called Paseo Nuevo and get breakfast at Ruby's Diner, a California classic. This will give you a glimpse of where all the action is in this town.
Morning - First you will want to visit the Santa Barbara Mission which dates back to the late 1700s. It is one of many missions built in California by the Spanish long ago. Having been to many of these, I can tell you the one in Santa Barbara is one of the best. Then go to the marina along the Santa Barbara waterfront. Take a leisurely stroll admiring the beautiful harbor with towering mountains in the background.
Lunch - For lunch go back to State Street and eat at El Paseo, an authentic Mexican restaurant that originally opened in 1922. Here you can enjoy great food in a beautiful courtyard setting.
Afternoon - In the afternoon you can go visit University of California, Santa Barbara where you can see the world's only oceanfront dormitories. At least they are the only ones I know of. Not sure how the students there get any work done. Then go to Montecito where you can drive along Coast Village Road to see where Oprah hangs out when she is in town. Finally take a walk along the beach on Montecito's Channel Drive.
Dinner - For the ultimate in views and luxury have dinner at the Bella Vista restaurant at the Four Seasons Resort. Staring at the ocean and eating great California cuisine makes this a most classic California experience. Be sure to walk around the hotel's grounds after dinner.
After Dark - Go back to State Street and have a drink, finish up your shopping, or have some ice cream.
Sleep - If your budget is unlimited stay at the Four Seasons. If you are in a cost cutting mood there are many affordable hotels on upper State Street east of the 101 freeway.
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