Santa Barbara welcomes the return of cruise ships again

[OlsSalt]

11 hours ago, flyrobinfly said:

That's our destination in SB next Saturday. We were going to take an Uber but a shuttle would be just dandy. 😁 Excited to visit and photograph this beautiful place.

 

Reservations or the SB Zoo are still required - see the online website for more info.  Weekends are more impacted than week days, but we are always surprised how many young families visit even during the week. 

 

Calif still operates under some "covid emergency" restrictions. Lessening every day, but I notice the Zoo website says it still is requiring reservations for crowd management. Don't know if they allow walk-ups, but since it will take a little effort to get there, I don't want any possible disappointments.

[flyrobinfly]

12 hours ago, OlsSalt said:

 

Reservations or the SB Zoo are still required - see the online website for more info.  Weekends are more impacted than week days, but we are always surprised how many young families visit even during the week. 

 

Calif still operates under some "covid emergency" restrictions. Lessening every day, but I notice the Zoo website says it still is requiring reservations for crowd management. Don't know if they allow walk-ups, but since it will take a little effort to get there, I don't want any possible disappointments.

Thanks OlsSalt, I did see that reservations were required on the website. The bird refuge you mentioned intrigues me, but I don't know if I'll have enough time to do both places on this visit.

[OlsSalt]

On 3/17/2022 at 11:41 PM, flyrobinfly said:

Thanks OlsSalt, I did see that reservations were required on the website. The bird refuge you mentioned intrigues me, but I don't know if I'll have enough time to do both places on this visit.

 

Not really anything to do at the Bird Refuge, just wanted to highlight what is in the adjoining neighborhood right next to the Zoo when you visit - you will be able to see both the Refuge and the associated Clark Family "Empty Mansion" on the hill opposite the Zoo. 

 

The Bird Refuge was created by blocking off a natural estuary for the Clark Family mansion way back when, on the opposite hill in what was a very swampy low-lying  area. It is a nice strolling area and a wetland for migrating water fowl, with occasional "foul" consequences if the city does not maintain its now necessary aeration.

 

One of the streets that goes into this former swampy area is still called Salsipuedes Street - which means "get out if you can", since it led into this at the time malaria prone area.  

 

No hint of the malaria swamp today, other than this area of town now called the Laguna District.  It went through a major reclamation project and became a large area of public housing authority projects dedicated to seniors.  

 

Yes, one can "afford  to retire in Santa Barbara" as a result. Small catch, the waiting list is about five years long.  https://hacsb.org/properties/presidio-springs/

 

 

Edited March 19, 2022 by OlsSalt

[OlsSalt]

March 26, 2020: Konigsdam looked lovely off the Santa Barbara Coast - a little foggy this morning, but it burns off and the day was sunny and pleasant later for those making this first HAL visit this year to this port on the Konigsdam. 

 

Weather report is for rain on Monday, so fingers crossed when the ship comes back on Tuesdays all will be clear. But unfortunately the mantra in our drought stricken state is "we need the rain", as much as I don't want it to happen on HAL cruise port days.

 

I did not get to the cruise greeting area in time to learn where the shuttles to town go and hope someone else can report back. 

[alexysmom]

Best fish and chips at this port??

[OlsSalt]

46 minutes ago, alexysmom said:

Best fish and chips at this port??

 

Probably the best fish and chips are too far away, at Lure restaurant or BoatHouse at Hendry's beach, but close to the harbor are multiple choices for at least good fish and chips- either direction you want to go once you leave the Sea Landing tender drop off - go to the left and you will find Brophy's and In the Alley in the boat Harbor area.

 

Go to the right and you can find choices on Stearns Wharf with an over water view - casual or more formal dining setting.

 

Plus a few in-between where you can wiggle your toes in the sand or go upscale at Connive which is a long walk along Palm Park to the corner at Milpas Street. You are also close to walk up State Street and see what is around that area called The Funk Zone.

 

Actually we are more a Fish Taco or sushi town, than Fish and Chips, though this can be found on a lot of menus.  There used to be an "authentic" British place which surprised us with "soggy fries" and mushy peas, but British friends agreed they were serving the real thing - they are no longer there, but may still show up in restaurant searches.

 

Check out the local Restaurant blog - for seafood and location - Harbor or Waterfront. We have a lot of good restaurants in this area, but few "great" restaurants.  

 

Bad restaurants don't stay open for very long, so one can be assured they will get a pretty good meal at least.  Just where and at what price point is the real choice in this town.  

 

https://www.santabarbara.com/dining/

 

A hidden treat that is a bit of a hike uphill from the tender drop off  locations the SBCC Culinary Department Gourmet Dining Room found on  the local community college overlooking the harbor, which has offered lunches as well as prix fixe dinners with wine - for student experience. Not sure it is yet open as they remain under pretty strict "covid" policies. 

Edited April 12, 2022 by OlsSalt

[OlsSalt]

IF you have a late departure, and IF you are there on the right days - it is fun to try the SBCC Gourmet Dining Room -run by  students from the Culinary Arts Department program, and IF you want a bit of a hike up the hill from the harbor area where Castillo Street meets shoreside Cabrillo Blvd as the Los Banos Pool

 

https://www.sbcc.edu/dining/gourmet.php

[alexysmom]

Thank you so much! I had wanted to visit the British restaurant, but saw it was gone.

[OlsSalt]

2 hours ago, alexysmom said:

Thank you so much! I had wanted to visit the British restaurant, but saw it was gone.

 

We always like going to Sushi a GoGo at the Harbor (not the Wharf) - for the standard California roll, tempura vegetables, Japanese style meat entree, rice and miso soup combo,, still around $11 - good enough, and nothing fancy at all - paper plates and cramped outdoor tables. But it is one of the few lunch bargains in town. 

 

https://www.talech.com/biz/ordering/456576/SUSHI-GO-GO-SANTA-BARBARA-CA#/menu

 

Around the corner from them in another tiny outdoor spot is "On the Alley" which has some good takes on various casual offerings - including fish tacos.

 

Upstairs is Brophy's for more standard seafood fare as well as fish and chips. Lively surfer bar vibe here, with great harbor views:  

 

https://www.brophybros.com/menus

Edited April 12, 2022 by OlsSalt

[JRG]

On 4/12/2022 at 11:20 AM, alexysmom said:

Best fish and chips at this port??

You want to look for Andrea's Seafood,   but it is in Ventura down the highway I would say look up Brophy's seafood because IIRC they have restaurant in SB and Ventura.

 

You need two days to see the best of Santa Barbara and Ventura,  but they would have to convert the oil jetty at Rincon into a pier to launch excursions to both cities and make it a sleepover.   There is nothing as easy taking a boat excursion to the Channel Islands for the half day- to lose yourself in the splendor of the islands of the blue dolphins,  or choose to lose your money in the splendor of Chumash Casino where they pay tribute to this legend of the young indian girl who made this beautiful place famous.

 

When you take the day hike to the western edge of the peninsulas,  you are on the edge of the continental US and it is unspoiled coastline,  like it was 12,000 years ago.

 

Just saying'

Edited April 17, 2022 by JRG

[DaveOKC]

On 3/26/2022 at 11:42 PM, OlsSalt said:

March 26, 2020: Konigsdam looked lovely off the Santa Barbara Coast - a little foggy this morning, but it burns off and the day was sunny and pleasant later for those making this first HAL visit this year to this port on the Konigsdam. 

 

Weather report is for rain on Monday, so fingers crossed when the ship comes back on Tuesdays all will be clear. But unfortunately the mantra in our drought stricken state is "we need the rain", as much as I don't want it to happen on HAL cruise port days.

 

I did not get to the cruise greeting area in time to learn where the shuttles to town go and hope someone else can report back. 

We took the shuttle bus (free with a wristband obtained at the welcome tent near the tender pier) to the courthouse.  Other stops along the way.  We then took an Urber to the Old Mission for $12 and walked back (lovely scenery and downhill about a mile I am guessing).  Then bused back to the pier from the courthouse.  Some people got off in the downtown shopping district.

[OlsSalt]

Zuiderdam - Apr 23 - Santa Barbara visitors: . The Mission Rose Garden is at the height of a spectacular spring bloom right now - blazing colors.

 

Hope some of you can enjoy it. One of the prettiest photo ops in town - Rose Garden in the foreground - Mission in the background. 

[OlsSalt]

1 hour ago, DaveOKC said:

We took the shuttle bus (free with a wristband obtained at the welcome tent near the tender pier) to the courthouse.  Other stops along the way.  We then took an Urber to the Old Mission for $12 and walked back (lovely scenery and downhill about a mile I am guessing).  Then bused back to the pier from the courthouse.  Some people got off in the downtown shopping district.

 

Thanks for the shuttle drop off info - this puts one right in the middle of the Red Tile Walking tour of the surrounding blocks: https://santabarbaraca.com/itinerary/red-tile-walking-tour/

 

You did it the right way - transport to the Mission and then a stroll back down to the Court House to pick up the shuttle again. There is a public bus that drops you off a few (uphill) blocks from the Mission, but not as convenient at your uber choice.

 

 It is about a mile walk (half hour) from Mission to Courthouse, but a slow, easy downhill stroll  that takes one through an historic residential area with various and often grand architectural styles, along with several important city parks and gardens.

 

 If you pick just one street for your walk back to town - Santa Barbara Street is probably the best. 

 

(Walking Tip: Go past the Mission Rose Garden below the Mission  to the arched Junipero Plaza stone gateway to your right and use that  to reach Santa Barbara Street. Rose Garden is at its height right now - April 17)

 

If one has the time, the walk from the Mission to the Santa Barbara Natural History Museum and its oak woodlands is rewarding too - but this is in the opposite direction, heading east from the Mission.