Santa Barbara, CA (PRWEB) July 24, 2014 -- Known for its sandy beaches and inviting ocean, Santa Barbara is also home to a plethora of sensational summertime activities. There is an event for everyone this summer in Santa Barbara; nature fans can stroll with butterflies at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, movie buffs can catch a flick at the Santa Barbara Courthouse Film Series, and foodies can taste a new dish at one of the many new restaurants in town. Check the list below for 15 of the hottest happenings this summer on The American Riviera®.
1) Opening in August, The Goodland hotel is Kimpton’s newest boutique property, and second in Santa Barbara County. The 158-room property will be a place of social engagement where visitors gather to enjoy the Coastal Californian lifestyle. The Goodland will feature a variety of nostalgic Americana amenities, restaurant Outpost at the Goodland and lobby bar the Good Bar. thegoodland.com
2) Enjoy movies and the Sunken Garden at the Santa Barbara Courthouse Film Series. Presented by UCSB Arts & Lectures, this summer’s theme is Chaplin, Keaton, Lloyd: Comedy Classics of the Silent Era. The series runs July 9th – August 22nd with another showing Wednesday’s at UCSB. Admission is free. Don’t miss the Silent Film Costume Contest on July 25th. artsandlectures.ucsb.edu
3) Experience the magic of Butterflies Alive! at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. Walk through a beautiful garden filled with flowers, luscious greenery, and more than 1,000 free-flying butterflies. Watch as the butterflies flutter past you, and see them as they drink nectar from nearby flowers. Go now, as the exhibit ends mid-September. sbnature.org
4) In honor of National Dog Day, the always dog-friendly Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is hosting its 5th annual pooch-centric event, Trails ‘n’ Tails, on August 23rd. This event celebrates all things canine and includes one free admission for each guest with a leashed dog, photo contest, vendor giveaways, raffle, doggie docent tours, K-9 demonstrations, adoptions, and more. sbbg.org
5) The only grower of coffee in the continental United States, Good Land Organics is a certified organic farm situated in the coastal foothills of Santa Barbara. The unique ecosystem, combined with innovative organic growing techniques, helps cultivate a wide range of out of the ordinary crops such as cherimoyas, lychee, dragon fruit and finger limes. Tours available. goodlandorganics.com
6) New at the Santa Barbara Zoo: guests can observe food preparation for the animals at a window overlooking the Ridley-Tree Animal Kitchen in the newly opened Discovery Pavilion. The window provides views of the preparation of healthy and balanced meals for the animals – more than 270 different diets for 500 individual animals, 365 days a year. Sbzoo.org
7) Olio Crudo Bar, the Olio Group’s new Milano-meets Amalfi Coast bar next door, is the hippest addition to downtown Santa Barbara with its sleek and modern design, yet friendly service. Offering crudo (raw) Italian seafood and meats, as well as cotto (cooked) selections, the menu is highly ingredient-driven, showcasing the freshest seasonal products. olioelimone.com/olio-crudo-bar
8) Pure Order Brewing Company produces its beer in the spirit of the German “Reinheitsgebot” which required that only four ingredients (hops, malt, yeast and water) be used in production. Combining this tradition with the California lifestyle makes for a uniquely satisfying beer that has the flavors of old Germany and the smoothness of Santa Barbara. pureorderbrewing.com
9) There is more than meets the eye at the Best Western Plus South Coast Inn. Located in Goleta, this location is home to a wide array of topiary garden arrangements including caterpillars, teddy bears, and romantic hearts. Book a room at this updated hotel for a uniquely groomed experience which is sure to wow garden enthusiasts. BestWestern.com
10) The Deckers Brand Showcase is its first-ever multi-brand retail store and offers customers the best expression of all Deckers Brands (including Ugg, Teva). Featuring an assortment of current product for all lifestyles from luxury comfort, outdoor, surf lifestyle, fashion and running, it’s a store unlike any other offered by Decker’s in the market today. deckers.com/contact/brand-showcase
11) Cruise the Santa Barbara coast in a retro trailer from Santa Barbara Silver Safari. This family owned and operated vintage travel trailer rental company will deliver the perfect vehicle for your needs. Whether you are looking for a recreation vehicle, wedding lounge area or a photo shoot prop, a nostalgic airstream trailer is the perfect accompaniment. sbsilversafari.com
12) Babi's Beer Emporium is a craft beer tasting room and bottle shop in Los Alamos catering to beer lovers near and far. With six rotating beers on tap, the selection is chosen to offer something for everyone. Babi’s also has a monthly beer club for the adventurous beer drinker and those simply wanting to join the fun. facebook.com/babisbeeremporium
13) Lafond Winery opens its first tasting room in Santa Barbara with a location in the heart of the Funk Zone. The venue gives customers a great view of the actual production with a glass door that leads to a bottling warehouse for wine tasters to get a look view of what goes on behind the scenes. Lafondwinery.com
14) Tucked away in a Funk Zone garden you will find Mission Rose Pasta, a pop-up restaurant. Leisurely lunches and seven course dinners emphasize the use of local organic, seasonal and sustainable ingredients that resonate on an emotional level. Call in advance for menus of the week and hours of operation. 805-637-8222
15) Heatculinary travels to you in the comfort of your own kitchen. Enjoy private chef services, at-home culinary class instruction, boot-camps and more from seasoned Chef Nikki Dailey, alum of The Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, NY. Focusing on individual needs, Heatculinary teaches skill while developing a flavor palate to satisfy all. Food Truck coming Fall 2014! heatculinary.com
ABOUT SANTA BARBARA
Featured on the cover of Travel + Leisure in May 2013 and voted Best Getaway by L.A. Times Readers’ Choice Awards in 2012, Santa Barbara is located just 92 miles north of Los Angeles and 332 miles south of San Francisco, on the Pacific coastline. Visitors can arrive via scenic Highway 101, train, bus or by flying into Santa Barbara Municipal Airport or Los Angeles International Airport. For travel and accommodation information and to request a free copy of the official Santa Barbara County Visitors Magazine, contact Visit Santa Barbara at 800.676.1266, 805.966.9222, tourism(at)santabarbaraca(dot)com or SantaBarbaraCA.com. Visitor information is also available at the Visitor Center, 1 Garden Street (at Cabrillo Boulevard).
MEDIA INFORMATION
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Michelle Rodriguez, Visit Santa Barbara, http://www.SantaBarbaraCA.com, +1 (805) 966-9222, [email protected]
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