Santa Barbara is a lovely coastal city just north of Los Angeles. Its red-tile roofs are distinctive; its beaches are great; and it has many historical sights and museums that make any visit here a special time.

     The Santa Barbara cityscape is best seen from the observation deck at the top of the County Courthouse, a gorgeous building in its own right.

Santa Barbara Cityscape

    The courthouse is spectacular outside and inside.

County Courthouse

   The old Praesidio is a State Historic Site.

The Praesidio

    Santa Barbara also contains one of California’s most beautiful missions, a remnant of the days when Junipero Serra preached Catholicism to the Mexican nationals.

Mission Santa Barbara

  A wonderful side trip for visitors to Santa Barbara is the village of Solvang, several miles north. It was settled by Danish immigrants who decided to make the town decidedly Danish in character and architecture. Strolling the lovely streets is a great way to spend half a day.

A Street in Solvang