Just ninety minutes and a world away from Los Angeles is Santa Barbara, a quaint seaside town with Spanish architecture, history, shopping and fun activities, making it a fun getaway for Los Angelinos and tourists from around the globe.

Perhaps the first thing you’ll notice in Santa Barbara is that unlike much of Southern California, this town certainly has a sense of history. Long the home to Native Americans who used plank canoes called tomols to navigate the Pacific Ocean and nearby Channel Islands, Europeans first settled in Santa Barbara in the 1780’s.

It was Spanish settlers who constructed the area’s first mission in 1786, potions of which remain today. The current structure, built in 1820, is modeled after a Latin temple. This 7,567 square-foot structure boasts two 87-foot high twin towers. Portions of the structures are still in use by Franciscan monks. The site also contains a museum with period pieces and many original 18th and 19th century Mexican artwork. Guided and self-guided tours are available daily.

But the Mission certainly isn’t Santa Barbara’s only building of historical significance you’ll want to see. Sterns Wharf was originally built in 1872 as a rail and cargo shipping hub, and was for a time the longest deep-water pier between Los Angeles and San Francisco. After the shipping ceased, the pier was converted into a tourist attraction where visitors can dine, shop or even go parasailing. The wharf is one of Santa Barbara’s most recognizable attractions.

Santa Barbara also boasts another unique historical distinction: It is home to El Paseo, Southern California’s first shopping mall. Dating back to the early 1920’s, this mall still offers many unique shops. Proving that the shopping trend didn’t end with El Paseo, State Street serves as Santa Barbara’s main shopping drag, where you can find 50 shops crammed into just two blocks. It is a shopper’s and a people watcher’s delight.

During the summer months, Santa Barbara has no shortage of people to watch as residents from Los Angeles and San Francisco alike flock to this popular destination for a weekend getaway. For a more relaxed atmosphere, try visiting the city in the fall or winter months.

No matter when you get there, consider leaving your car at home. Santa Barbara is both pedestrian and public transportation friendly. Traveling to the city via plane, train or even boat can make getting there half the fun. Visit santabarbaracarfree.org to plan your trip, and register to get discounts at some of the city’s hotels and restaurants, a free tourist kit.

Experience a different world right in the middle of California.

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