Went further afield to Ventura today. Saw their mission, Buenaventura. On a much smaller scale than Santa Barbara. A very different style of place. Much more of an old American town. Streets all named after trees for some reason, Oak, Chestnut, Palm. Saw the surfers, but waves quite small so not a lot of excitement. Went to Camarillo Outlet Village to satisfy Michael's need to shop. I was very restrained! Ate at Brophy Brothers Fish Restaurant on Ventura Harbou...

Did the culture thing today. The museum, history walk and art gallery. The museum laid out the history of Santa Barbara. Here follows a brief synopsis. The area was first inhabited by the Chumash Indians, then the Spanish came along, the Franciscans built their Missions and set about converting the Chumash to Christianity. Not long after the Mexicans secularised the Missions and then California joined the USA. There has been a lot of enterprise in the area. Befo...

Just mooched around Santa Barbara this morning. Some great shops, independent, stylish and expensive. Didn't buy anything. Had a look at some street sculpture and street art. There was an "Open Streets" Festival happening, encouraging people to use bikes, skateboards, skates and other forms of transport. Lots of activities going on.

Drove into mountains over the San Marcos Pass, heading for wine area, where the film Sideways was set. Solvang is a very interesting town. It's a little bit of Denmark in the middle of California. The whole town is built in the style of a Danish settlement. Windmills and all, though we thought that was Dutch. They even have their own "Little Mermaid" on Copenhagen Street. Full of quaint gift shops. Lots of Halloween decorations about. Some sort of competition g...

Took a walk down to the beach for the sunset. Summerland, where we are staying, is just outside Santa Barbara. It's a little seaside resort with a gorgeous beach, cliffs and a few interesting shops. It actually has pavements, sorry, sidewalks, so you don't risk life and limb when you go anywhere. Very peaceful at this time of year.