Known as the American Riviera, Santa Barbara is located in between the Pacific Beaches and the Santa Ynez Mountains. This is the perfect place to come and relax on breathtaking white sand beaches and go from shop to gallery searching for the perfect souvenir to take back home.
You can find Spanish-Mediterranean architecture lining the streets of downtown Santa Barbara. At one point this area had a Native American Chumash population for thousands of years until the European era began in the 18th century. Unfortunately, the oldest architectural hodgepodge was destroyed back in 1925 when an earthquake flattened the local businesses. The town that stands today is the same that rose out of the rubble.
The town of Santa Barbara is known for its red tiled roofs and white stucco walls which form a backdrop to some of the Spanish Revival architecture. In Santa Barbara the beaches are lined with palm trees and are refreshingly clean. Though the downtown area has been replaced by an upscale shopping mall the area has still been able to keep its quaint friendly character.
After the infamous earthquake of 1925 the town was rebuilt with the image of Spanish Colonial past in mind. There are many arcades that are connected to shops, cafes, and restaurants in a pedestrian friendly way that helps non locals get around easily.
State Street is home to a variety of diners, coffee bars, night clubs, and book shops. In the center is El Cuartel, a two hundred year old barracks that is the second oldest building in California. El Cuartel is home to historical exhibits and a scale model of the small Spanish colony.
Wooden Stearns Wharf is a half mile away from the town's center down State Street. It was originally built in 1872 and was almost destroyed by a fire in 1998 when the pier was in flames. Since then there have been massive reconstruction efforts and it is now home to an arrangement of shopping, dining, and beautiful beaches.
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