In California, a Spanish town was discovered.

⛪️About 100 miles north of the City of Angels, hills melt into the Pacific, and a relaxed beach vibe spills over into the city of Santa Barbara, California. Santa Barbara is known as the American Riviera for its Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, heritage, cuisine and wine, natural beauty, and perfect weather. 🗓When to go? On average, there are 300 days of sunshine each year, with a mild climate and cool nighttime temperatures. 🏝Beach ▪️Santa Barbara is nestled between mountains and the ocean, a natural paradise with palm trees shading the streets. Next to Stearns Wharf is West Beach, a popular spot for volleyball players and a launch point for sailing and kayaking. ▪️Butterfly Beach in Montecito is a sheltered beach away from the crowds of the city center. ▪️Leadbetter Beach is another popular spot for kayaking, longboarding, and stand-up paddleboarding (the nearby Shoreline Park is also nice). ▪️The most family-friendly beach in Santa Barbara is Arroyo Burro Beach Park (or the locally famous Hendry's Beach). It has gentle waves, seasonal lifeguards, plenty of picnic benches, and a great restaurant on the beach. 🌅Watch the sunset from Stearns Wharf. Stearns Wharf is one of the most iconic landmarks in Santa Barbara. For us, it's a great place for a sunset stroll. There are several restaurants and cafes that seem to attract tourists, but the view might be worth it. They mainly serve seafood. It's a must-see attraction in Santa Barbara. 🏄Immerse yourself in the surfing life of California. Here you can find the best surfing in California, suitable for everyone from beginners to professionals. Gaviota and Jalama are places experienced surfers go, but if you're just starting out, Refugio State Beach is a good choice. 🐳Wildlife During the migration season (November to April), thousands of Pacific gray whales pass through the Santa Barbara Channel; from late spring to early autumn, humpback whales appear, and occasionally blue whales can be seen. There are many whale watching tours on the water, or you can hike along the cliffs to observe them from above. 🌊Natural wonder Strolling along the coastline of Santa Barbara and its surrounding areas, you may occasionally come across mini marine environments - tidal pools. When the tide recedes, organisms are trapped in the rock pools and other natural formations until the water rushes back in, creating these small ecosystems. 🏞National Park Outside the coast is the National Park of the Channel Islands, known as the "Galapagos Islands of North America". The park can only be accessed by charter boats and planes approved by the park or private boats. Island activities include hiking, camping, bird watching, photography, and more. 🗿Archaeological site Archaeological excavations are still ongoing at the El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park in the city center. Two original buildings have been restored and other buildings have been reconstructed, depicting the original Santa Barbara Presidio established in April 1782. 🏺Cultural experience With Spanish heritage, it celebrates this heritage every August with its old Spanish Day Carnival. During the festival, locals and tourists learn about the history, customs, and traditions of American Indians, Spaniards, Mexicans, and early American settlers through music, dance, parades, and food. 🍷Winery Driving north from the city center for 45 minutes, you will see many vineyards; there are more than 220 wineries in the county. The golden weather and soil mean that all grape varieties in the county grow well, and there are six official American grape growing regions here.