American Travelnotes 5/7 - Santa Barbara, California

I leave Austin at dawn, to catch my plane ... the trip above the desert is wonderful (Arizona is really dry, i wonder how can they do in Phoenix) and I arrive in Santa Barbara at noon.
A little problem: a bottle of wine broke in my bag during the trip, and it is somewhat ... smelly. Really looks like a homeless ... whatever, i will spend the afternoon washing and cleaning.
On the next morning, my friend gave me his bicycle and i take to road to Santa Barbara. The distance is around 10 kms, and the road along the seashore is really great. You can have a look on the vid below (notice the houses ... nice place to live). After a stop in the beach close to the city, I arrive downtown.

Shoreline between Goleta and Santa Barbara

Where is Pamela?

That should be great to glide above the ocean

They have nice houses, and nice boats as well ... and a super beautiful downtown. You can see below what does it looks like: the city is really cosy and often use a kind of 'colonial architecture' which give a special taste to the place. Additionally, it seems that the climate is great: 16 degrees in winter and 25 in summer ... shouldn't be such a hell to live in!

Marina, Santa Barbara

Downtown Santa Barbara

Downtown Santa Barbara

Before USA, all California used to belong to Spain (or Mexico, later). In fact, the colonization of California was not very important and quite recent (mid 1800's). The spanish established missions and headquarters (Presidios) along the coast: San Diego, Santa Barbara, San Francisco ... The one in Santa Barbara has been partly reconstructed, and is located downtown (see pic below).

El Presidio de Santa Barbara, Spanish colonial fortification

The next morning, trekking with Max ... the weather is foggy, anyway. Everything that lies there wants to attack or scrap you, but finally we reach the top. The view on the cloudsea is marvelous, and it should be even more beautiful with a clear weather! Definitely, to live here must be something :)

I think i know one guy on the picture...

On the top; you can see the Pacific and Santa Barbara ... usually :)