Two days in Santa Barbara - DPChallenge Forums

Samsung Galaxy S21, S21+, S21 Ultra

06/25/2012 01:03:11 PM · #1

Hi everyone,

I have two days in Santa Barbara this week, and I wonder if anyone has any tips on excellent places to go with camera in tow. I will be on my own during the day while my handsome travelling companion (also known as my husband) attends meetings.

Bear_Music

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

06/25/2012 01:11:48 PM · #2

Talk to

Germaine and

Melethia; one lives there, the other's mom does. Will you have a car available? A little ways north, Gaviota State Beach and Hollister Ranch Road are wonderful California Coastal country. Frpom Hollister Ranch Rd. head inland on Agua Caliente or Posada (I think).

Others will be more up to date on what's good now in Santa Barbara proper, but the harbor has a great pier and the Mission's a gem.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

06/25/2012 01:13:08 PM · #3

I may have a car available, but I am staying at the hotel Santa Barbara, which I understand is quite central.

CRe8n4u

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

06/25/2012 01:33:56 PM · #4

Santa Barbara is quite beautiful... I live in a neighboring county and we really love to go street shooting there. State Street has great photo ops and it eventually leads down to the pier which is another awesome place for photography. There's also a very intimate little zoo, that I would highly recommend if you find the time. You can get glimpses of the beach/ocean from the zoo, it pretty cool. Hope this helps. Enjoy!

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

06/25/2012 02:10:27 PM · #5

I suppose seeing Mission Santa Barbara would make sense if you haven't visited one before (though I just noticed there seems to be a modest admission/tour charge) ... I seem to remember some shuttle buses downtown with gigantic pencils on the the roof, but it was some years ago and I can't find a snapshot of it ... :-(

If you have a solid chunk of time you might consider taking a ferry to the Channel Islands National Park ...

Spork99

Canon EOS M6 Mk II

Canon EF-M 22mm STM Lens

06/25/2012 02:16:51 PM · #6

State Street is good. The courthouse, also downtown, is a great example of Mission style architecture, very photogenic and as I remember it, free. The pier is fun too. If the waves are decent, there will be surfers. I never surfed there, but I'm sure any local shop could tell you where to go to watch.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

06/25/2012 02:21:51 PM · #7

I am staying on State Street, so will have much at my disposal via walking, it seems. The SB Mission looks like a great place to visit!

Spork99

Canon EOS M6 Mk II

Canon EF-M 22mm STM Lens

06/25/2012 02:25:30 PM · #8

Originally posted by frisca:

I am staying on State Street, so will have much at my disposal via walking, it seems. The SB Mission looks like a great place to visit!

The courthouse is downtown too and has been referred to as "The most beautiful government building in America"

//www.sbcourts.org/general_info/cthouse_info.htm

Message edited by author 2012-06-25 14:25:44.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

06/25/2012 02:30:16 PM · #9

Originally posted by Spork99:

Originally posted by frisca:
I am staying on State Street, so will have much at my disposal via walking, it seems. The SB Mission looks like a great place to visit!

The courthouse is downtown too and has been referred to as "The most beautiful government building in America"

//www.sbcourts.org/general_info/cthouse_info.htm

Sounds like a must-see to me ...

Originally posted by Linked Website:

Visitors can ride an elevator to the 85-foot "El Mirador" clock tower for unforgettable views of the city, coast and mountains. Other attractions include the Mural Room, "Spirit of the Ocean" fountain, noteworthy architecture and ornate tile work throughout the building.

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED

06/25/2012 02:48:35 PM · #10

the courthouse seems like the perfect place for a law/photo geek like me! I will be without my kids, which is extremely rare, so I hope to take ever tour and see every sight I can pack in.

hihosilver

Nikon D200

06/25/2012 02:55:57 PM · #11

Oh! I love Santa Barbara!!!

Yum! Yum! Yum!

I confess the Santa Barbara Zoo is a favorite hangout. ;-D

The Zoo directly across the street from the beach and you can walk or rent bicycles along the water near the harbor.

At the very end of the harbor, if you keep going all the way down past the touristy part (about a 10 minute walk), the pelicans hang out on very end and you can get quite close to them.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

06/25/2012 02:59:49 PM · #12

Originally posted by hihosilver:

this is great, thank you! Can't wait to try out the food!

Melethia

Canon EOS-80D

06/26/2012 10:02:13 AM · #13

I think everyone has it covered! State Street is the perfect place to stay. See the Wharf, the harbor, the Mission, the courthouse, and if possible the zoo. A beautiful city! And if you like clam chowder, hit Brophy's at the harbor.

slickchik

Olympus OM-D E-M1

Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro

06/26/2012 10:10:42 AM · #14

It's kind of a long walk to the Mission from State Street so wear good shoes.

I live near SB and was thinking about heading up there this week as well... If you see me, say hi. I will probably be using a small camo backpack :-)

Message edited by author 2012-06-26 10:13:12.

Germaine

Canon EOS-7D Mark II

Canon EF 24-70mm f / 4L IS USM Lens

06/26/2012 11:43:30 AM · #15

Gee whiz! I'm kinda out of action these days and almost missed this. You guys have covered just about everything, so I don't have that much to add.

Where you're staying is in the most interesting part of town as far as I'm concerned. I'd just add a suggestion to check out some of the side streets. Walk along Cota Street toward De La Vina Street and check out the area around Fig Avenue and Brinkerhoff Avenue. There are some funky doorways, bungalows, etc. Stearns Wharf and the Breakwater are always good for people shots and seascapes. We have a working harbor so there are fishing boats and oil service vessels.

The mission is worth visiting for the history, but I'm always disappointed at the photo ops -- the most interesting part of the garden is off limits to the public. However, if you get up there, look across the street to the rose garden (very beautiful) and the little street Plaza Rubio. There are about six small Spanish-style houses that are worth taking pictures of -- beautiful windows and doors.

The courthouse has some spectacular shots inside and out. I don't think they allow photography in the court rooms, but you shouldn't have any problem in the hallways if you are discreet. I've gotten some good candids of people and lawyers waiting for their cases to be called.

Channel Islands National Park would be fantastic to visit (I've never been), but the boats leave from Ventura, not Santa Barbara.

I second

Melethia's suggestion about Brophy's. See if you can get your Handsome Companion to take you there for dinner or at least a drink. They have some tables out on a balcony overlooking the harbor. The view is great and so was the food the last time I was there. Brophy's has another restaurant -- On the Alley at 117 Harbor Way. I've not been there yet, but I hear good things about it.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

06/26/2012 01:15:05 PM · #16

thanks, Germaine! :))