I make a couple of stops along the Pacific Coast Highway or as the locals call it the PCH in the Malibu beach area. Malibu seemed to stretch for miles and miles, it's a very desirable address I guess. As can be seen from these drab photos, it was a foggy, cloudy, dark day.
Arriving at Santa Barbara just at noon, I immediately head to Mission Santa Barbara on the outskirts of the town. The mission was originally founded in 1786 and was the 10th mission to be established. Over time four mission were built on this site in the years 1787, 1789, 1791 and the current one in 1821. It was heavily damaged in a 1925 earthquake and the main facade was totally rebuilt in the 1950's.
The Chumash people had lived in this area for approximately 13,000 years prior to the arrival of the Spanish. When the Spanish arrived they estimated there were around 150 villages and 18,000 Chumash people who were basically hunters and gathers with a trade network and were fairly advanced.
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| The facade of the Mission |
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The cement area in front of the mission was covered with
various drawings |
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| Sort of an odd entrance door on the side of the Mission |
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| Very bright and colorful wall colors |
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| Looking down into the Mission |
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| Old fountain outside with water lilies |
The El Presidio de Santa Barbara is located right in the center of the downtown. I only had about an hour to visit before closing time, but it was enough.
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| It was founded in 1782 for military protection of the area and the town of Santa Barbara grew around it. |
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| The interior of the chapel |
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| It was a large compound as this drawing shows |
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| The original roofs were covered in reeds |
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Barbara,_California
I located a parking spot in the downtown which seemed to be okay to stay in for the night close to the main drag called State Street. As usual I do a search for live music and I find a local dinner / music venue a few blocks away called Soho Restaurant and music club and Lucy Walsh, daughter of Eagles Band (Hotel California fame) guitar player Joe Walsh will be performing. I thought that could be interesting, Joe may even show up as he is a resident of Santa Barbara. It was a sold out show, a benefit for Alziemers (kind of weird) and it was mostly a well to do looking middle aged crowd. I was able to sit at the bar and see into the room and hear fairly well. She is very talented and has a pretty good career going, but her music was not doing much for me, not my style.
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| Lucy Walsh |
Santa Barbara is another beautiful California beach town and another difficult one to drive around in and to park with many one way streets and heavy traffic. State Street runs through the central downtown area and on it are located all the major stores you would normally find in a large shopping mall. As a result, the downtown remains prosperous and vibrant.
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| The Granada Theater |
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| One of the most ornate Hotels |
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| Took this in early morning when the sidewalks were empty |
They have several impressive building, especially the Court House which must be seen. Also the Art Museum is super impressive although it is presently under restoration and only partially open.
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| View of the archway which has a stairway and elevator tower leading to an observation deck |
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| There you see the entire building and tower |
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| Incredible room inside with historical murals covering all walls |
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| View form the top |
I read reviews about Joe’s Cafe’ on State Street and decided I had to go. I went for dinner and their meatloaf which was possibly the best meatloaf dinner I have ever had.
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Mixed vegetables, mashed potatoes, bread and a huge
piece of meatloaf topped with gravy, yum ! |
Next stop is San Luis Obispo, California where a long hot shower and a big bed are waiting for me.
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