California Beaches: Santa Barbara

Then

California sea otters -- between 13,000 to 20,000 -- plied the waters off Santa Barbara and the rest of the state’s coast before becoming nearly extinct in 1830.

Now

The otters are gone from Santa Barbara’s waters, but California sea lions and harbor seals like to hang out here. Check out exotics like Humboldt penguins and lorikeets at the Santa Barbara Zoo at 500 Ninos Drive, which isn’t far from the beach.

A California sea lion rests on a kayak near Steans Wharf.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Then

Flying A Studio opens on the corner of State and Mission Streets in 1910--the largest film studio of its time.

Now

Flying through the air is cool too, if you can master it. Fly out on the water by renting a kayak (Paddle Sports, 117B Harbor Way) or taking a dinner cruise (Condor Cruises, 301 W. Cabrillo Blvd.).

Dan Thomas of London, England, does a backflip on West Beach after driving from New York City to Santa Barbara in an RV.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Then

In the 1920s, on-screen stars and off-screen couple Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford personified romance and owned property in the mountains near Santa Barbara.

Now

Stearns Wharf continues to foment romance on the bay. On the 2,000-foot wharf, you can chow down at a seafood house or rent a rod and reel for $5 an hour at Mike’s Bait & Tackle.

Matt Bockman and Bee Sliff keep romance alive on Stearns Wharf as they share an ice cream--and a kiss.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Then

Chumash Indians crafted plank canoes about 8 feet to 30 feet long made from driftwood or redwood.

Now

More than 1,100 slips at Santa Barbara Harbor accommodate boats from 20 feet to 150 feet long. Try your hand at boating by taking sailing lessons at the Santa Barbara Saling Center at 133 Harbor Way.

Santa Barbara Harbor is across from Stearns Wharf.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Then

California condors, the largest bird in North America and an endangered species, once thrived in Santa Barbara County.

Now

California brown pelicans and other shore birds make for good birdwatching along the coast. Head for the Andree Clark Bird Refuge at 1400 E. Cabrillo Blvd. to see black-crowned night herons, egrets, bushtits and more.

Brown pelicans line up along Santa Barbara Harbor.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Then

The Chumash were the original artists in the area as cave painters. You can see examples at Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park three miles south of San Marcos Pass.

Now

The outdoor art tradition continues every Sunday at the Arts & Crafts Show along ocean-front Cabrillo Boulevard.

An artist captures the bay from East Beach.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Then

Sebasian Vizcaino sailed into Santa Barbara in the early 17th century to escape a storm on Saint Barbara’s feast day. He named the bay and the land after the saint.

Now

These days, folks sail, kayak and ... well... fish the bay from a paddleboard.

Bruce Wood of Santa Barbara hoists his homemade 14-foot mahogany paddleboard across West Beach and into the water to fish for halibut.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Then

The architectural style that defines the city emerged in the 20th century. It included Spanish, Mediterranean and a touch of Moorish influences, all of which led to a distinctive white-stucco and red-tile look.

Now

Architecturally, the city remains rooted in its Spanish style--but that doesn’t apply to individuals who defy style norms. You can take a two-hour tour from the steps of City Hall with the Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara at 10 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

Delbert Faulkner relaxes in his homemade “Frankenstein” chair that he rolls to the beach and sells handwrapped peace-sign necklaces made of hemp.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Then

Junipero Serra first brought grape vines to the area from Mexico in 1782.

Now

Santa Barbara’s wine country is thriving--but so is the Santa Barbara Farmers Market. It’s within walking distance of the beach and open from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturdays at Santa Barbara and Cota streets.

David Harrison of Simi Valley plays his guitar while selling fruit at Natures Pit Stop on Stearns Wharf.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Then

Pearl Chase, sometimes referred to as the First Lady of Santa Barbara, became a guiding force in the look of Santa Barbara and its architecture and landscape from 1927 to the 1970s.

Now

Chase Palm Park at 323 E. Cabrillo offers a lush respite from the beach (it’s right across the street). Take a spin on the 1916 merry-go-round with exquisite horses and sleighs for just $2 a ride.

Paul Wehrman reads a book after skateboarding along the paved path at Chase Palm Park.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Then

A typical Chumash canoe held three people, though large ones could hold as many as 10.

Now

The Ka Nai’a Outrigger Canoe Club in Santa Barbara keep the sport of paddling alive in the bay.

Paddlers enjoy an outing on the waters near Stearns Wharf around sunset.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Then

The first Motel 6 debuted in 1962 and McDonalds’ Egg McMuffin was invented in the 1970s at a franchise here.

Now

Innovative ventures abound in this area, so maybe a trip to Ostrich Land in nearby Buellton is order? Or maybe this is just the perfect time to stick around the beach.

Shadows on the beach under Stearns Wharf.

SANTA BARBARA, CA - June 5, 2008: Emilio Ruggiero, 17, and Clara Marissa DePaola, 16, cast shadows of themselves holding hands as they take a romantic walk under Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara. According to www.santabarbaraharbor.com, Santa Barbara Harbor has one of the ten best climates in the world. East Beach and West Beach are part of a long stretch of sandy beaches delineated by a separation at Stearns Wharf at Cabrillo Boulevard and State Street. To see a water quality report: http://www.sbcphd.org/ehs/oceandata.htm.

For more in this series exploring Southern California’s beaches, visit our Cruising the Coast page.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)