Santa Barbara

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After a reeeeealllly sloooooow start to the morning we caught the bus down State Street (the main thoroughfare (we are staying at 3525 State Street) and got off the bus once we arrived “Downtown”. From here we sauntered further down State Street looking for somewhere to have lunch (we missed breakfast this morning due to oversleeping!). We found a California Pasta restaurant (that really is our idea of fast food). Mark and Annabel gorged on plates of pasta whilst Ellie had a sandwich and Jack a salad! (we really have bought our kids up well huh?).

We’ve decided we like Santa Barbara, there are no high rises in stght and the shops look like ones we’d spend money in if we wanted to and there are loads of different places to eat without the usual rubbishy fast food joints that usually seem to litter the sidewalk. Once we got to the end of State Street we found the beach which from a distance looked fantastic, however on closer inspection was really quite dirty and smelly - what a shame. We found ourselves at Stearns Wharf (a wooden pier) which looked old but wasn’t really as it had been re-built many times over the years.

Having made our way to the end of the wharf we sat and watched all and sundry fishing off the end of the pier and then had a surprise visit from a pelican who obviously knew where to get a free meal as it was then fed fish by one of the fishermen.

The kids then persuaded us that it was a really good idea to hire a six-seater, four-wheeled cycle thing with 4 pedals and two steering wheels (only one of which worked) and one brake. Having risked near death with Mark at the (working) wheel we swapped and Annabel took over. After an hour and a half of cycling up and down the cycle path by the beach (getting to see all the gross things coming down the pipes onto the beach - yuck) we gave up and successfully navigated the cycle back to its home, on the way stopping to see a spectacularly decorated hippy van and local skateboard talent.

We took the electric shuttle bus up to the main bus terminus and caught the bus back to the hotel: life force now ebbing, we got a quick food fix from the 7/11 along the road and then split the party to separate relaxing activities - Mark and the kids went swimming whilst Annabel went to the local Laundromat to process the accumulated smellies.

We met back at the hotel and the whole family collapsed into bed.

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Photos

Downtown Santa Barbara
Nice and shady

Santa Barabara Beach
Looks nice but a bit smelly

Hungry Pelican
Hasn't yet learnt how to use the fishing rod

Children with Hippie
Cool van, man.

Quadricycle
Parry family set to beat land speed record

Comments

[Caitlin]

I'm glad you enjoyed your stay in Santa Barbara. The reason there are no high rises are because the government requires all buildings be kept low, to keep the architectural feel consistent. It really does have wonderful architecture. Next time you come to Santa Barbara you should try La Super Rica Taqueria, it's Oprah's favorite restaurant and celebrities can often be spotted there, but it is pretty cheap, most plates are under five dollars (they are small portions). Also, check out The Sandman Inn. It's a hidden gem in a city with many expensive hotels, great for the traveler on a budget!