Fall is here and the weather is not changing very much — because this is Santa Barbara! It is still as sunny and beautiful as ever. Guests are out enjoying kayaking and surfing well into the fall and even throughout the winter.

There are many fun things to do around town during the month of November. Here are some ideas:

Go Holiday Shopping
Get your gift shopping done early this year! There are tons of unique shops available along State Street and many more hidden gems off the beaten path. No matter what you decide, make sure to shop local and try to minimize waste.

P.S. Adventure is always the perfect gift! — Shop Gift Certificates

Santa Barbara Half Marathon
WHEN: November 3rd
PRICE: Half Marathon: $152.21 / Santa Barbara Independent 5K: $75.56 / Kid’s Race: Free / Remote Run: $152.21
WHERE: Cabrillo Blvd and State Street
Santa Barbara’s only waterfront Half Marathon will feature a downtown-centric course with stretches along the iconic palm tree-lined Cabrillo Blvd.

Harvest Season Santa Ynez Wine Tour
WHEN: Every day in November from 10 am to 5 pm
WHERE: Includes pick-up/drop-off in Santa Barbara and transportation to Santa Ynez Valley
Harvest season is during September and October in Santa Barbara Wine Country. Join us for a wine tour during this beautiful and festive time of year! — Book Now

Thanksgiving 4-Miler
WHEN: November 28th
TIME: 9:05AM
WHERE: Magnolia Shopping Center
Come out and enjoy the 25th annual running of the original Santa Barbara Thanksgiving Day 4-Miler. The flat and fast course stands apart from many of the local run courses with a start along Hollister Avenue to Turnpike leading to a stretch along the bike path and then winding through neighborhood streets to the finish at Thunderbird Park (on Walnut Avenue – just off Hollister Avenue).

Adventure Sea Cave Kayak Tour at Channel Islands National Park
WHEN: Every day in November
WHERE: Scorpion Anchorage on Santa Cruz Island
Our most popular Channel Islands kayak tour! We’ll explore several sea caves to the east and west of Scorpion Harbor and still leave you with some time to explore this island by foot afterward. — Book Now

First Thursday Art Walk
WHEN: November 7th
TIME: 5-8PM
WHERE: Participating galleries and venues, The Visitors’ Center, hotel concierge desks, host table on State Street, and the Downtown Santa Barbara office located at 27-B East De La Guerra Street
1^st Thursday is an evening of art and culture in downtown Santa Barbara. On the first Thursday of each month, participating galleries and venues offer free access to visual and performing arts in a fun and social environment. Venues feature attractions such as art openings, live music, artists’ receptions, lectures, wine tastings and hands-on activities.

Sunset Kayak in Santa Barbara Harbor
WHEN: Every evening in November
WHERE: Santa Barbara Harbor
November is an AMAZING time of year for EPIC sunsets in Santa Barbara. Enjoy a relaxing sunset ocean kayak tour around the Santa Barbara harbor & shoreline. This tour is fun and affordable for the whole family! Plus, it’s great for all sea kayaking skill levels including beginners to advanced. — Book Now

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What adventures have you been on in the last 6 months, guiding and otherwise?

I believe strongly in making the most of every day.  So while I’m very busy guiding others for SBACo, I love to go on my own adventures whenever I get the chance.  Santa Barbara affords me endless opportunities for exploration.  There is great surfing and hiking locally and I love to take advantage of it when I get the time.   As lucky as I am to live in Santa Barbara, though, I do like to travel.  I went to Bocas del Toro, Panama for 10 days this past December to visit one of my dearest friends.  She is there volunteering for the Smithsonian Institute, Reef Check, 5 Gyres Institute, and Water for People.  We surfed, snorkeled, boated, and laughed a lot.  After that trip, my husband, my dog, and I took 3 weeks to go on our annual trip down the Baja Peninsula.  We take our camper and our surfboards and relish in the delight of having no internet, phone, TV, or responsibilities other than eating, sleeping, and exercising.  Baja is one of my favorite places.  It’s the perfect place to recharge my batteries, which is just what I need after a long season of guiding.

How did you get to choose guiding as your way of living? What is it about guiding that makes it so energizing?

When I started college, I knew I wanted to work with at-risk youth in outdoor settings.  I didn’t know the best route though, so I picked psychology as my major.  When I took a Recreation 101 class, I was told about opportunities to intern at the school’s Ropes Course.  The experience was an eye opener.  I learned so much about myself and about how to work with and manage groups.  Most importantly I worked with an amazing group of people who eventually convinced me to change my major to Recreation.  My degree taught me a vast range of things, including the legal and fiscal aspects of managing recreation programs, programming, resource interpretation, and land use planning.  I think what I learned most, though, is that everyone has some connection to the outdoors, whether they know it or not.  And if you look deeply enough you can help others find that connection.   Through guiding I’ve learned that all people benefit from outdoor recreation.  This is true now more than ever, considering the ever-increasing amount of technology we use and the ever-decreasing amount of time we spend outside.  I love that I introduce people to the outdoors, show them things they may never  have noticed, and build their confidence to do outdoor activities.  The most energizing thing about guiding is knowing that we created an unforgettable experience for our guests. 

And lastly, what can you tell people who read about these trips with fascination, but think it’s probably not for them?

Our trips are for everyone! Some of my kayaking guests in the recent year included grandchildren and grandmothers, ultra-marathoners, people overcoming their fear of the ocean, school groups of all ages, non-swimmers, river guides, and entire families.  I encourage anyone to try our trips; chances are we have something perfect for you.  One of the best things about SBACo is the staff.  My coworkers are one of the greatest benefits of my job.  We all take pride in our work and want to create the best experience possible for our guests.  Our office staff is very helpful and will take the time to answer any of your questions and help you find the adventure that best suits your needs.  Our guides are well-accustomed to having all types of participants on our trips and are happy to accommodate you.  So my advice is that if you’ve always wanted to try an adventure like this, there’s no better time than the present.

Thanks for sharing Brina!

Photo courtesy of Erin Feinblatt Photography

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Montecito Peak

Length: 5.8 miles

Level: Moderate to Difficult

This long and windy trail starts in near Cold Springs Creek and goes up the canyon before ascending up Montecito Peak. While the views are good along the way, the 360-degree panorama view at the top makes it all worth it. On a clear day, one can see many of the Channel Islands out to the west and all the way to Ventura down south, making it one of the most expansive views of the best Santa Barbara hikes.

Potato Harbor

Length: 5 miles

Level: Moderate

This is definitely the most unique and stunning trail on our list. To start this hike you need to take Island Packers Ferry from the mainland to Santa Barbara’s offshore islands: The Channel Islands. (While you are there be sure to kayak in the sea caves as well!) Starting at Scorpion Anchorage on Santa Cruz Island, this hike follows the cliff side and offers unparalleled coastal views. This trail can be done as an out and back passing Cavern Point, or as a loop to the Upper Campground. You will most likely see the resident Channel Islands fox (about the size of a house cat) on the way, found nowhere else in the world. Walking from Scorpion Anchorage to Cavern Point and on to Potato Harbor, one has almost continual cliff side views, perfect for a chance to see some marine animals and snap scenic photos. The view over Potato Harbor looks like you are much closer to the tropics, with crystalline waters below and incredible rock formations jutting out of the coast. This hike is definitely one not to miss! Planning a day at the Channel Islands? Join us for sea cave kayaking in the morning and a hike to Potato Harbor in the afternoon! For other hikes on the Channel Islands, check out the National Park hiking guide.

Inspiration Point

Length 3.75 miles

Level: Moderate

This one is a Santa Barbara hiking classic. It starts with at Tunnel Road with a moderate uphill through the Santa Ynez Mountains up to Jesusita Trail. The trail leads to panoramic views of both the ocean and downtown Santa Barbara. This is a great trail to really get a feel for the area and learn where you want to go next. This is the #1 iconic Santa Barbara hike, especially at sunrise!

Lizard’s Mouth

Length: 0.5 miles

Level: Easy

This short hike leads to a unique rock formation (which the hike is named for) that overlooks Santa Barbara. The path wanders through boulders and brush before leading to “the lizard”. Nearby boulders make this a lovely area to lounge and enjoy the view. Fan of bouldering? Lizard’s Mouth is a climbers’ paradise with numerous routes to test your skills (don’t forget a crash pad!).

Saddle Rock Trail

Length: 3 miles

Level: Easy to Moderate

There are a couple different ways to do this hike. The trailhead is in Montecito and winds between a neighborhood before you take a right at the trail. Start by going up to Castle Rock with incredible views of the ocean above Montecito and a perfect rock to sit on (with the iconic heart shape below you). Then, decide if you’d like to carry on to the entire Hot Springs or Cold Springs trail, you can follow the hills for as long as you’d like. Check out the view of the Channel Islands (dubbed the “Galapagos of North America”) out in the distance.

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It’s 70 degrees with a light coastal breeze, and the sun doesn’t set till 8 pm. Yep, it’s that time of year! School is ending, and not just for the summer, for many of Santa Barbarians its graduation! Whether you are that lucky graduate or their loving family,  June marks that special time of year for commencement and celebration, and with this awesome weather where better to celebrate than outdoors? But with so little time, what to do?

If your coming up for the day…
take advantage of the coastal climate with a graduation picnic at Goleta Beach or Ledbetter. If a restaurant is more your style, there are a variety of delicious coastal dining options including the Beachside and Boathouse, or for other recommendations see Dinning and Santa Barbara.

So you’re here for the weekend…
and need something to do while your Gaucho is prepping for graduation? Then go Wine Tasting in Santa Barbara’s beautiful back yard, Santa Ynez, famous for Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and more. Or wait till your grad is all done and go tasting with the whole gang for a group discount!

Coastal Kayaking is another great way to get outside and appreciate Santa Barbara’s rare beauty. Just north of Goleta is Naples and Gaviota, some of the last remaining undeveloped coast of southern California. At one of the only freeway exits along this stretch of coast is Refugio State Beach where you can escape and kayak, soaking up the benefits of this undeveloped rarity where harbor seals, dolphins, and sea lions call home.

If the plan is to make a week long holiday out of it…
then consider, is water or land more your thing? If the answer is land then camping might be just for you. Carpenteria, Refugio, El Capitan State Beaches are all still open for reservations. And if camping in comfort sounds more appealing, consider El Cap Canyon luxury cabins. Or its sister, Ocean Mesa campground, just inland of El Capitan State Beach, which offers a café, pool, and hot tub and showers to its campers, along with trailheads to several hiking trails into the hills.

Lastly but not least is my personal favorite, the sea caves at Santa Cruz. While the Channel Islands look great from Santa Barbara, nothing compares to the view paddling through the rugged and timeless caves at this rarely visited national park.

Spending a day away from the mainland was the last tick I made off my bucket list as a senior at UCSB. What’s on your graduate’s Santa Barbara bucket list?

Photo: Guide Jen Brown on her graduation day at UCSB.

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Refugio State Beach

Refugio State beach hosts a long stretch of undeveloped coastline, where various types of wildlife can be spotted daily. This beautiful beach also has palm trees planted along the creek and campground area for shade. This is a great location for kayaking, provided by Santa Barbara Adventure Company!

Alice Keck Park and Kids World

If you are downtown and need a great spot to relax for lunch, let the kids roam or take an afternoon nap – this is the place. The gardens include a pond filled with turtle and koi, as well as a gazebo and many walkways and paths. All the plants in the garden are chosen specifically to be able to thrive in Santa Barbara’s climate. Just across the Street you will find Kids World, an amazing play structure with swings, climbing and much more.

Chase Palm Park

This park runs from East Beach to Stearns Wharf.  On the harbor side there is a long bike and rollerblading trail, a skateboard park, a recreation house and access to the beach. There is grass for soccer and other activities. On the other side of the street there is a pond, music pavilion, merry-go-round, playground and many paths.

Shoreline Park

Shoreline Park is one of Santa Barbara’s most popular parks and includes a playground, a whale watching area, as well as a  Japanese garden. It also has a clear view of the Channel Islands on a virtually cloudless day. Walking from the Harbor to Shoreline Park is about 5.8 miles round trip. Santa Barbara Adventure Company offers a Coast Biking Trip that explores this area and often stops at Shoreline Park.

Channel Islands National Park

Are you ready to relax, snorkel and kayak at a home away from home? Channel Islands National Park is the perfect place. Kayaking through the various caves, you may see seals, sea lions, bright colored fish, sea stars, different species of bird and other wildlife. The translucent water paired with the giant kelp beds is very picturesque. Channel Islands National Park also has great campsites available for those who wish to savor its grandiose beauty for more than a day.

These are a few of our favorite parks. If you have a favorite, please share it with us in the comment section below.

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Thank you for letting us share this fun day with you, Julia. Come back and join us again soon.

I love Julia’s photo of the bachelorette; What is your favorite photo? Tell us in the comment section below.

Originally published April 2011

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Sure, Santa Barbara is beautiful. Between the mountains and ocean, the award-winning wines and sublime downtown, it’s easy to understand why it’s such an alluring place for tourists, students and corporate retreats alike.  Its rich human history complements this setting. Whether from the nearby Channel Islands or Los Padres National Forest, people have made their mark on this region for thousands of years.  Here’s just a sampling of that legacy with 5 fun, interesting human history stories that you probably didn’t know about the Channel Islands and Central Coast:

• The Arlington Springs Man of Santa Rosa Island is one of the oldest dated skeletons in North or South America. Back in 1959, Phil Orr discovered a small fragment from a human femur, however it wasn’t until 1999 that modern analysis showed that this Arlington Springs Man lived nearly 13,000 years ago. Keep in mind, Lucy the fossil is dated 3.2 million years ago. It clearly took a couple million years to get to the remote islands. Only one other set of North American bones, from the Anzick Site in Montana, is also dated to the same time period as the Arlington Springs Man.
• The Chumash people, the original inhabitants of the Channel Islands, know where dolphins come from. The Chumash have stories to explain almost everything including lightning, stars and fire and a great one about how dolphins came to be their brothers and sisters. Santa Cruz Island, then known as Limuw, was inhabited by the Chumash and watched over by Hutash or the Earth Mother. As the Chumash population grew on the island, their noise also grew and kept Hutash up at night. She decided that it was time for some people to move to the mainland and she used a rainbow (wishtoyo) as the bridge. While crossing the rainbow bridge, some looked down and upon seeing the swirling fog and immense height, they fell into the ocean! Hutash did not want them to drown since she had asked them to cross the bridge, so she turned all the fallen Chumash into dolphins where they continue to be brothers and sisters and spotted often while kayaking the islands.
• Some of the finest wool used during the Civil War was raised on Santa Cruz Island. One usually doesn’t think of remote, volcanic islands as a great place to raise sheep but Dr. James B. Shaw proved everyone wrong. Dr. Shaw, an English physician, was superintendent of Santa Cruz Island from 1853-1869 and believed to be the first one to bring French Merino sheep to the island. The start of the Civil War brought increased demand for wool and by 1864 nearly 24,000 sheep roamed Santa Cruz Island. An 1859 article in the Sacramento Daily Union applauded the wool’s quality ‘we doubt if anything superior can be found in the State than those [sheep] owned by Dr. Shaw, on the island of Santa Cruz.’
• Ancient paintings displayed on rock were only recently revealed after fire burned the brush away in nearby Los Padres National Forest. Just northwest of Santa Barbara, the Chumash left thousands of rock art sites. Many of these sites only became visible after the forest fires of 2006 and 2007 burned much of the chaparral showing old paths to newly exposed rock faces. These paintings often depict animals and the spiritual world and rangers count at least 2,400 of them. They are colored black by using charcoal, white by using ground seashells or red while using hematite. Come check them out for yourself!
• One of the largest movie studios in the world was located in Downtown Santa Barbara between 1912-1917. Flying A Studios opened its western branch in 1912 and produced one thousand films in its short but glorious 5 years here in Santa Barbara. In 1916, the studio, originally located on West Mission Street, was churning out 242 motion pictures a year. This was during the era of the short silent film; Broncho Billy Westerns were Flying A’s specialty. Flying A didn’t keep up when the talkie was invented or when audiences desired longer films and the studio closed shop in 1917 as Los Angeles found its foothold in film.

Come learn, experience and explore all the Central Coast has to offer with a guided tour from the Santa Barbara Adventure Company. You can see the dolphins and learn about the ranching on a sea cave kayak tour of Santa Cruz Island, discuss the rock art on a guided hike in Los Padres or imagine the bygone silent movie era while sipping wine on one of our many wine tours!

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Where did you grow up? And how did you find Santa Barbara?

I grew up in the Bay Area, in a town called Novato in Northern Marin County. I came to Santa Barbara to attend college at UCSB and graduated in 1984.

What inspired you to create Santa Barbara Dining and Destinations?

My girlfriend and I left Santa Barbara for Seattle in 1988 and lived there for eleven years. We got married and had a couple of children and returned to Santa Barbara, where for all of our sanity, the children could be outdoors instead of indoors for nine months out of the year. When we returned to Santa Barbara, we went to a few of our old favorite restaurants with fond memories. Unfortunately, either our memories were not so accurate or new owners had taken the restaurant in a different direction. Also, our sleepy little town of Santa Barbara had become much more metropolitan and there were so many more restaurants. Hence, we figured that other people were also overwhelmed in finding the right restaurant for their evening.

My husband’s birthday is coming up and he loves great food. Where should we go?

I get this question frequently and my answer is different and similar each time. I often need to ask a few qualifying questions to narrow down my answer. So since your husband’s birthday is a special occasion, and I am not able to ask you more qualifying questions, let’s go somewhere memorable with varied settings to match your personal taste – Boathouse, Jane, Sly’s, Lucky’s, Brewhouse, Holdren’s, Arch Rock Fish, Tre Lune, Blush and Zen Yai. Cheers!

Where can people go to subscribe to Santa Barbara Dining and Destinations?

To subscribe go to our Dining and Destinations website.

Thanks for catching up with us Phillip. Sounds like I need to make some reservations! I notice you also have a great bi-monthly newsletter that visitors can sign up for and lots of great information on your website.

If you have a question for Phil, our local expert, please leave it in the comments section below. I’ll send the best question some great Santa Barbara Adventure Company schwag!

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There are a few more books that you might want to pick up if you are planning a trip to California’s Channel Islands.

1)      When the Killings Done by T.C. Boyle

2)      Island of the Blue Dolphin by Scott O’Dell

3)      Diary of a Sea Captains Wife: Tales of Santa Cruz Island by Margaret Eaton

4)      Two Years Before the Mast by Richard Henry Dana, Jr.

Please add any other suggestions in the comment section below or just share your thoughts.

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Parking fees: Almost all of these beaches have some type of parking fee. There is open parking at Summerland’s Lookout Park. There are a few 90 minute parking spots at Leadbetter Beach and some street parking available at East Beach. Santa Barbara’s parking fees are generally very reasonable.

Camping: You can make camping reservations for the 3 state park beach areas. They are Carpentaria State Park, El Capitan State Park and Refugio State Park. Make reservation early for the summer months or you might be disappointed.

Kayaking and Surfing: Santa Barbara Adventure Company offers guided kayaking tours and surfing lessons at several of these beaches including Refugio State Beach, West Beach, East Beach and Santa Claus Lane. You can rent kayaks on the weekends at the Adventure Company Rental Site on East Beach. Call to ensure the site will be open if you are planning a group event.

Finding some of Santa Barbara’s favorite beaches can be tricky, especially if you don’t know your way around town. Here is a map to help you plan your route.

Where is your favorite beach? Please share your insights, tips and reviews. We appreciate your feedback!

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