There are no new photos today because I have come to the lobby by myself to use the WiFi & I don't know how to upload new ones.
We didn't really know what to do today to make the most of our one day in Santa Barbara so we got going early & headed for Stearns Wharf which is California's oldest working wharf. Stearns Wharf had a major fire destroy a part of it in 1998 but it has been rebuilt. It turns out it was only a few blocks from our hotel & we could have walked. However, it is Sunday & none of the parking restrictions apply.
We walked out to the end of Stearns Wharf where there were people fishing & we could hear sea lions barking. Off on a distant bouy we could see some sea lions.
We decided to walk up State Street (the main st of Santa Barbara) but we found most stores were closed & not opening until midday. I could understand that for the cold climate areas but the sun was shining & it was really warm. A few things were open here & there. Once we reached the end of the main area, about 10 blocks or so, we headed back the other way. There were art & craft markets right along the beach front so we started to walk through those but came to one of the 'duck boats' - a bus/boat that goes on land & in water. A tour was leaving in 20mins so we joined the queue. It was a good way to see the main parts of Santa Barbara.
The tour headed up the main street & into the historical part which we hadn't seen. Santa Barbara is a city full of adobe buildings as a result of their Spanish heritage. Most of the streets also have Spanish names. There were a few old mission buildings still in existence as well as the Presidio - Spanish for fort.
Once we had toured the city we got on to Santa Barbara Harbour. There were over 1000 boats moored there. We passed lots of birds - cormorants, seagulls & pelicans among them - and finally came across a couple of dolphins swimming across the harbour. The captain followed them for a while & let both sides of the boat get a good view. They surfaced very close to us but of course I didn't have my camera ready.
We left the dolphins & headed for the sea lions on the bouy. They were Californian sea lions & were enjoying lying in the sun. Our guide, Maddy, was very entertaining & full of interesting facts. She also hosts a weekly trivia night in town.
When we finished the tour we continued along the beachfront looking at the market stalls. All the stalls are manned by the actual artist.
By now the sun was starting to set & we drove along the beachfront in both directions to see what was there. When we drove in last night it was dark & I had no idea the beach was that close. It is a very nice city. Very picturesque & I can imagine it is very busy over summer.
Maddy gave us lots of tips for good bars & restaurants so after our drive we parked in town & went to Killer Shrimp for cocktails. They make their cocktails according to original recipes & don't appear to measure anything. After 2 very potent cocktails each we walked up to Joe's Cafe for dinner.
Santa Barbara is often referred to as the American Riviera because of it's climate. It sits between the Pacific Ocean & the Santa Ynez mountains. These mountains are unusual because they run east west rather than the usual north south.
We leave for Las Vegas tomorrow. It is a 6hr drive so we plan on leaving early.