HAL port tips: Santa Barbara - maiden port stops

[OlsSalt]

The Zaandam was in a few days ago and the Westerdam is soon to arrive in Santa Barbara on US west coast cruises, so there is not a lot of port information out since these are maiden voyage stops.

 

Passengers will be greeted by an large information table, shuttles to town or the zoo and port ambassadors to answer questions, hand out maps and offer information about local businesses.

 

HAL shore excursions cover a lot of great opportunities and the Zaandam did not leave until 8pm, making some of the more extended local trips easily doable. There is Santa Ynez wine country, the Danish village of Solvang, the rich and famous homes of Montecito, the Queen of the Missions, the most beautiful court house in America used as backdrop for "Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law", and a very walkable downtown with museums, Spanish paseos, sidewalk cafes and shopping. As well as options for hiking, kayaking and even surfing lessons.

 

One "secret" spot not on anyone's list is also close by where the tenders come in: The School of Culinary Arts Gourmet Dining Room for lunch at the local Santa Barbara City Colllege, if you are there during a week day, other campus food service options. They have a beautiful horticultural garden with strolling walkways near one of the most scenic overlook plazas that gives you sweeping views of the harbor, ocean and mountains. It takes a short climb up stairs or steep walkway to reach the bluff campus from the docking area, but you are rewarded with a dazzling views of your ship and the city.

 

Welcome Holland America.

Edited October 3, 2016 by OlsSalt

[Alberta Quilter]

Thanks very much, OlsSalt! The Westerdam is there on a Friday but only until 3 pm.

[RJ2002]

OlsSalt, thanks for sharing this info on Santa Barbara. We were just there, on the Ruby Princess. The tender drops you off in the harbor, just a short walk from State Street.

 

Your recommendations are spot on. I would just add that at the Courthouse, visitors should be sure to take the elevator up to the observation tower. It's free! Beautiful views of the city, beaches and ocean.

[OlsSalt]

We timed the tender trip when the Zaandam was here and it is about a 10 minute ride each way, when the water is calm.

 

She sure looked good out there - classic, sleek and small compared to the RCCL 4000 passenger Splendor of the Seas who is in today, or even the various Princess ships which still make the Zaandam look like a bathtub toy.

 

Good tip about the courthouse tower. Plus this lets you view the inner workings of the newly restored tower clock as you go up the floors.

 

Be sure to also peek in the Mural Room, the courtrooms themselves and the Law Library - all exquisite was taken in the interior finishings as well as the outside design. when time and care was taken. The lovely marble first floor bathroom of the Courthouse is the best public bathroom in town.

 

The Courthouse Gardens are a favorite outdoor spot for weddings as you can imagine.

[OlsSalt]

Another bit of local lore when you come into Santa Barbara by sea is being able to view the large Clark Estate located on a nearby very large ocean front property. Private and unto itself. You can't see the house from the city side, only the long winding driveway.

 

This is the home featured in the recent best seller "Empty Mansions" which was owned by the reclusive heiress Hugette Clark who lived in a NYC hospital for years until her death, after abandoning her block-sized townhouse in the same city.

 

She donated this local Clark estate property to the City of Santa Barbara "for the arts", as well as as stipend to keep it going. She kept it immaculately maintained inside and out by a local residential staff, decades after decades ready for her return, except she never came back.

[frankc98376]

Coming in on Westerdam. What is the charge for the shuttles and the waterfront shuttle?

[OlsSalt]

Coming in on Westerdam. What is the charge for the shuttles and the waterfront shuttle?

 

Downtown-Waterfront & Seaside Shuttle Fares

 

Regular one-way fare

$.50

Youth (K - 12th grade)

$.50

Seniors (age 62 and over)*

$.25

Persons with Disabilities*

$.25

Persons with Medicare Cards*

$.25

Children under 45 inches tall (three children per adult)

Free

 

If you want to go to the central downtown area - and what is also called the "Historic Arts District": There are two shuttles routes that intersect at the bottom of State Street at Stearns Wharf: The coastal Waterfront Shutttle that goes from the harbor and port tender dock to the zoo; and the Downtown Shuttles the goes up and down State Street.

 

There can be long lines and waiting for the "Waterfront" shuttle at key times, which is the one closest to the tender landing and welcomes area.

 

However, if you are willing to walk about 15 minutes towards SternsWharf at the bottom of State Street, you can pick up the more frequent and direct "Downtown" shuttles that go up and down State Street and maybe beat the crowds at the tender landing Waterfront shuttle who have to transfer to the Downtown shuttle. http://www.sbmtd.gov/maps-and-schedules/waterfront-shuttle.html

 

Google MTD for more public transit routes and info to use in this area. There used to be a classic tourist Route 22 that hit all the highlights of the city, but locals did not use enough it so it was recently discontinued. There is a main transit station down town if you want to explore other parts of the city - the shuttle gets you close, and it is one block away from the Off 5th Saks store on State Street.

Edited October 4, 2016 by OlsSalt

[OlsSalt]

One of the hardest stops to get to on your own is the SB Mission - no direct transit route from the ship.

 

One way is to take the Downtown shuttle to the transit center and then one of several routes that go up State Street - which is the north direction - often the same busses #6 or #11 that also go to UCSB campus in Isla Vista. Get off at East Los Olivos Street and walk up East Los Olivos about four blocks slightly up hill to the Mission, the Rose Garden and a few more blocks to the Natural History Museum, another local gem.

 

It is a very lovely half hour walk back down to the downtown transit center from the Mission since it is slightly down hill, and goes through the older historic residential areas of Santa Barbara called the Upper East Side -some signature homes here. Plus a visit to the very uniquely planted Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens.

Edited October 4, 2016 by OlsSalt