Out and About

Activities:

Information on antiques shopping, bicycling, boating, camping, golf, hang gliding, harbor and Channel Island cruises, hiking, horseback riding, hot-air ballooning, polo, sailing, scuba diving, sport fishing, surfing, tennis, water-skiing and whale watching (in April and May) available at the Santa Barbara Conference and Visitors Bureau, 1330 State St., (805) 965-3021 (closed Monday).

Mission Santa Barbara. Tour of stone building, gardens, museum and ruins of Indian village. Laguna Street at Los Olivos Street, (805) 682-4149.

Red Tile Tour. Walk through the historic downtown area; special map available at the Santa Barbara Conference and Visitors Bureau, 1330 State St., (805) 965-3021.

Santa Barbara Arts and Crafts Show. Local artists display their work along the beach on Sunday and holidays. From Stearns Wharf east along Cabrillo Boulevard, (805) 963-0611, Ext. 331.

Santa Barbara Botanic Gardens. Sixty-five acres, including five miles of trails through areas representing the vegetation of various regions of California. Also a library and herbarium. At 1212 Mission Canyon Road, (805) 682-4726.

Santa Barbara County Courthouse. Tour of Spanish-Moorish building and gardens. Take the elevator to the tower’s observation deck for a view of old Santa Barbara. At 1100 Anacapa St., (805) 962-6464.

Winery Tours. Many of Santa Barbara County’s wineries offer tours and tasting; some by appointment only. Contact Santa Barbara County Vintners’ Assn., P.O. Box WINE, Santa Ynez 93460, (805) 688-0881.

Galleries and Museums:

Brooks Institute Photography Gallery. Exhibits of student work. At 2020 Alameda Padre Serra, (805) 969-2291.

Old Spanish Days Carriage Museum. Collections of saddles and horse-drawn vehicles. At 129 Castillo St., (805) 962-2353.

Santa Barbara Historical Society Museum. Spanish, Mexican and American artifacts, and library. At 136 E. De la Guerra St., (805) 966-1601.

Santa Barbara Museum of Art. Classical sculpture and antiquities; Oriental and American art. At 1130 State St., (805) 963-4364; (805) 963-2240 for hearing impaired.

Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. Planetarium and displays representing the plant and animal life of the Pacific Coast and the Channel Islands. At 2559 Puesta Del Sol Road, (805) 682-4711.

University Art Museum. Historical and contemporary works by professional artists. Annual student exhibition in the spring. UC Santa Barbara, Arts Building, (805) 961-2951.

Performing Arts:

Access Theatre. Original musicals and drama in sign language by disabled, deaf and non-disabled performers. At 2428 Chapala St., (805) 682-8184.

Arlington Celebrity Series. Performances by internationally acclaimed artists in historic Arlington Theater. At 1317 State St., (805) 966-4566.

Ensemble Theatre Project. Year-round season of classic and contemporary American and European theater. At 914 Santa Barbara St., (805) 965-6252.

Music Academy of the West. Tuesday- and Saturday-evening summer concerts and Friday-night student recitals year-round. At 1070 Fairway Road, (805) 969-4726.

Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra. Five-concert series October through April. At Lobero Theater, 33 E. Canon Perdido St., (805) 963-0761.

Santa Barbara Symphony. Saturday and Sunday concerts October through May, plus “The Nutcracker” in December. At Arlington Theater, 1317 State St., (805) 965-6596. Annual Events:

February

Pro-Celebrity Golf Tournament. One-day event; players have included Bob Hope and Peter Ueberroth. Montecito Country Club, 920 Summit Road, Montecito, (805) 969-3216.

Santa Barbara International Orchid Show. Earl Warren Showgrounds, Las Positas Road and U.S. 101, (805) 687-0766.

March

Ethnic Influences in American Cuisine. Festival featuring international food and wine. Various locations, (805) 966-6711.

April

Jaycee’s Chili Cook-off. Festival and chili-tasting; area chefs compete for state finals. Location varies each year, (805) 964-1831.

Santa Barbara Arts Festival. Weeklong tribute to visual and performing arts. Various locations, (805) 966-7022.

June

Santa Barbara Writer’s Conference. Writing workshops and lectures by well-known authors. Miramar Hotel, 1555 S. Jameson Lane, Montecito, (805) 684-2250.

Summer Solstice Celebration. Parade, festival, dance and street theater. On State Street between Cota and Sola streets; (805) 965-3021.

August

Old Spanish Days Fiesta. Five-day celebration of Spanish heritage includes rodeo, barbecues, parades, concerts and sale of works by local artisans. Various locations, (805) 962-8101.

September

Zoo-B-Que. Barbecue at Santa Barbara Zoological Gardens, 500 Ninos Drive, (805) 962-5339.

Santa Barbara map inside back cover. Next in your hometown series: Laguna Beach, Aug. 10.