Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards
Temporary Tasting Room: 201-C Industrial Way, Buellton
805.688.9090, www.almarosawinery.com
"Nature & agriculture in sustainable harmony!"
Art from Scrap
302 East Cota Street, Santa Barbara
805.884.0459, www.artfromscrap.org
Art From Scrap has many faces. It is an arts and crafts materials reuse store, an environmental education organization, and an arts program. About 15,000 kids a year in Santa Barbara County come into contact with Art From Scrap through schools, youth and service organizations, environmental and art groups, local festivals, and their new store.
Beckman Vineyards
2670 Ontiveros Road, Los Olivos
805.688.8664, www.beckmanvineyards.com
Respect for the land is a fundamental element of the Beckmen Vineyards philosophy. In this spirit, beginning in 2006, Steve Beckmen began farming 100 percent of Purisima Mountain Vineyard biodynamically.
Cachuma Lake Recreation Area
Highway 154, Santa Barbara
Cachuma Lake is a Santa Barbara County Park in the Los Padres National Forest offering camping, fishing, wildlife cruises, nature hikes and nature programs for kids.
Channel Islands National Park & Marine Sanctuary
Hailed as the "Galapagos of the West," the unpoiled Channel Islands lie about 25 miles offshore from Santa Barbara and are home to over 2,000 species of animals, 145 of them found nowhere else on earth. The National Marine Sanctuary is a prtected marine area encompassing 1,252 squre nautical miles surrounding the park's five islands. The waters are available for all kinds of sports including SCUBA diving, swimming, snorkeling, tide pooling, boating, kayaking and more. On land, adventures include self-guided or ranger-led hikes, camping, bird, wildlife and wildflower viewing and exploring archaelogical sites.
Fairview Gardens Farm
598 North Fairview Avenue, Goleta
805.967.7369,www.fairviewgardens.org
Goleta’s Fairview Gardens Farm educates visitors about sustainable agriculture and how food choices can make a difference to both your health and the health of the planet. One of the oldest organic farms in Southern California, Fairview Garden’s Center for Urban Agriculture is an internationally-respected model for small scale urban food production, agricultural land preservation, farm-based education and the integration of farms and the communities that they serve. Self-guided and docent-led tours are offered daily and cooking classes present the opportunity to get hands-on and learn how to prepare a variety of dishes.
Guadalupe Dunes & The Dunes Center
1055 Guadalupe Street, Guadalupe
805.343.2455, www.dunescenter.org
Guadalupe was once the site of great glacial activity which left a natural wonder known as the Guadalupe Dunes. Information about the dramatic and constantly shifting sandscape, natural habitat and guided tours is available at the Dunes Center. A fun fact: Cecil B. DeMille's set for the epic 1923 Ten Commandments still lies under the sand. The movie was filmed here and they decided to leave the sets and bury them in the sand rather than deconstructing them.
Gypsy Canyon Winery
805.737.0204, www.gypsycanyon.com/album1_001.htm
Home to the oldest vines in Santa Barbara County, Gypsy Canyon is as green and hands-on as it gets when it comes to wine. Winemaker Deborah Hall employs biodynamic growing methods and her bottles are made of hand-blown recycled glass and the wine labels are hand-written on recycled paper. Try her rare Mission-era Angelica desert wine!
Please note: by appointment only, must call to schedule tasting.
Land Trust for Santa Barbara County
The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County works to protect important open space, wildlife habitat, farms and ranches from business development. The Land Trust has worked with the community since 1985 and has saved over 13,000 acres in Santa Barbara County, including areas such as the Arroyo Hondo Preserve, Sedgwick Reserve, Carpinteria Bluffs and the Coronado Butterfly Preserve.
L'il Toot
805.896.6900, www.sbwatertaxi.com
The water taxi that provides transportation between Stearns Wharf and the Harbor is Santa Barbara's first commercial vessel to convert to biodiesel. The fuel is made from 85% vegetable oil and 15% alcohol. The taxi services runs from noon to dusk daily and the boat can be boarded from the Accomodations Dock on the Harbor side and from the south side of the pier at Stearns Wharf.
Los Padres National Forest
805.968.6640, www.fs.fed.us/r5/lospadres/
Los Padres National Forest encompasses nearly two million acres in the beautiful coastal mountains of central California. The forest stretches across almost 220 miles from the Big Sur Coast in Monterey County to the western edge of Los Angeles County. Los Padres National Forest provides diverse wildlife habitat. The varied habitats and terrain of the forest provide permanent or transitory refuge for approximately 468 species of fish and wildlife, of which most are nongame species. The importance of this habitat continues to increase because of habitat losses resulting from urban development outside the National Forest. The Forest Service is charged with the protection and preservation of threatened and endangered species and their critical habitats. Currently there are 23 threatened and endangered animals which occur in the Los Padres National Forest. There are also 20 animals that are considered sensitive. There are three threatened and endangered plant species with an additional 71 considered sensitive. Numbers of listed species change as new information is gathered from field studies and monitoring.Visit the website for hiking and camping information.
Lotusland
695 Ashley Road, Montecito
805.969.9990, www.lotusland.org
Lotusland is a unique 37-acre estate and botanic garden situated in the foothills of Montecito to the east of the city of Santa Barbara. The gardens now covering the estate were created by Madame Ganna Walska, who owned the property from 1941 until her death in 1984. Before her death, Madame Walska established the nonprofit Ganna Walska Lotusland Foundation, which now preserves this unrivaled botanical treasure. Make a reservation for a docent-led tour to learn about its intriguing history, exceptional gardens, outstanding educational programs and innovative horticultural practices. (Please note: reservations required)
Market Forays
Ongoing and by appointment
805.259.7229, www.marketforays.com
Fresh seafood right off the boat, fragrant fruit and selected vegetables from neighboring farms,
artisan cheeses paired with premium local wines, the simple pleasures of heartfelt hospitality.
Now you can capture these pleasures on the American Riviera. Under the expert guidance of Laurence Hauben, French-born resident of Santa Barbara, food writer, and leader of Slow Food Santa Barbara, shopping and cooking become an epicurean adventure. Whether you join us for a hands-on Saturday Foray, meet us on a Tuesday afternoon for La Cuisine du Marché, or contact Laurence to create your very own event--you will experience the Santa Barbara Lifestyle in true insider fashion. Techniques are accessible to all levels of cooking experience, and the ambience is playful. The ingredients do most of the work, to yield a cuisine that is at once simple and vibrant.
Mission Santa Barbara Huerta Project
2201 Laguna Street, Santa Barbara
805.682.4713, www.sbmission.org
Mission-Era agriculture and horticulture are being brought back to life with Old Mission Santa Barbara's Huerta Restoration Project. A group of dedicated volunteers, under the guidance and direction of local horticulture expert Jerry Sortomme, are restoring the Mission's garden to show what was grown during the 65-year Mission Era, 1769-1834. Huerta is a Spanish term that refers to the "orchard-garden" that evolved during that period in history, when water was scarce and plants had to be grown and concentrated together out of necessity. Wine grapes, herbs, fruits, vegetables and more were cultivated for food and cooking, in addition to medicinal, decor and utilitarian uses. Call ahead to check on the volunteer work day schedule and organize group tours.
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
2112 Mission Canyon Road, Santa Barbara
805.569.5923, www.sbbg.org
Dedicated to research, education and conservation, and display of California native plants, the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is a place of beauty and serenity, of education, research and conservation, of history and stewardship. Enjoy exquisite exhibits of California native plants set in beautifully designed landscapes.
Santa Barbara County Farmers' Markets
Visit the website for a calendar of weekly farmers' markets.
Santa Barbara Harbor & Waterfront
Cabrillo Boulevard, Santa Barbara
Head to the waterfront for sightseeing at the Harbor and Stearns Wharf, oceanfront walks, beach volleyball, kayak and bike rentals, sailing and whale watching excursions, fresh seafood, museums and much more. Don't miss the Saturday morning Fish Market, where you can purchase fresh catch right off the boats!
Santa Barbara Maritime Museum
113 Harbor Way #190, Santa Barbara
805.962.8404, www.sbmm.org
The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum creatively displays marine history, marine habitats, fishing, navigation, and piloting through educational interactive exhibits. Coming soon, a permanent Surfing Exhibit.
Santa Barbara Museum of Art
1130 State Street, Santa Barbara
805.963.4364, www.sbmuseart.org
The museum is a private, non-profit institution that collects and preserves art from various realms to enhance cultural education for the visitors. The museum will hold occasional themes of environmentalism, which is a main focus of the community. ArtVenture Camps encourage kids to use natural materials to create art, as well as focusing on nature as a subject matter.
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
2559 Puesta del Sol Road, Santa Barbara
805.682.4711, www.sbnature.org
Inspiring a lifelong passion and abiding respect for the natural world, the museum focuses on the habitat of the natural world and features a planetarium, 72 foot- whale skeleton, an antique art gallery, a hall dedicated to the Chumash Indian tribe, a nature trail and various exhibits featuring animal, marine, and plant life within the community.
Santa Barbara Zoo
500 Ninos Drive, Santa Barbara
805.962.5339, www.sbzoo.org
The Santa Barbara Zoo is dedicated to the preservation, conservation, and enhancement of the natural world and its living treasures through education, research, and recreation.
Segway of Santa Barbara
24 1/2 East Mason Street, Santa Barbara
805.963.7672, www.segwayofsb.com
Rent a segway to get around for the day or take a guided tour on segway. Guided tours include: The Old Santa Barbara Tour, Butterfly Beach Tour, The Mission Tour, Gaviota Coast Picnic and the Segway Sunset Special. The Segway HT has zero emissions and the ability to alleviate traffic and parking problems. Costing only .10 cents for a full battery charge, you can stop, ‘plug-in’ at most restaurants, have a bite to eat then toss the manager a quarter and say “Hey, keep the change!”
Skater's Point
Cabrillo Boulevard, East of Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara
A free outdoor oceanfront public skatepark for skateboarders and in-line skaters offering 12,00 square feet of ramps, bowls and rails; helmets and elbow and knee pads required.
Sunstone Winery
125 Refugio Road, Santa Ynez
805.688.9463, www.sunstonewinery.com
Organic, family-run winery.
Sustainable Vine Wine Tours
805.698.3911, www.sustainablevine.com
Sustainable Vine Wine Tours offers guided tours of organic and biodynamic wineries in a biodiesel-powered van. The tour includes tastings, an organic picnic lunch, $10 gift certificate towards wine purchase and door-to-door pick-up/drop-off. The cost is $115 per person; capacity is 10 passengers, and tours depart daily with a minimum of 4 passengers.
Ty Warner Sea Center
211 Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara
805.962.2526, www.sbnature.org
The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Ty Warner Sea Center is a fun, engaging, interactive marine education facility located on Stearns Wharf. Owned and operated by the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, the Ty Warner Sea Center fulfills the mission of the Museum to inspire a passion for the natural world.
Wildling Art Museum
2329 Jonata Street, Los Olivos
805.688.1082, www.wildlingmuseum.org
Open Wednesday-Sunday from 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
The Wildling Art Museum, located in the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley, is an educational institution dedicated to presenting art of America’s wilderness so participants of all ages gain a greater appreciation of the art and a better understanding of the importance of preserving our natural heritage. Currently occupying the historic Keenan-Hartley House, the Museum presents four exhibitions annually on the theme of America’s wilderness and offers a number of lectures, classes, workshops, films, trips, and other activities relating to art and nature. Amenities include a reference library, gift shop, and garden.
Photo Credits: photo courtesy of Fairview Gardens; photo courtesy of Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History; photo courtesy of Guadalupe Dunes Center.
