WHAT’S NEW IN SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA THIS SUMMER
Santa Barbara is nestled between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean along California’s Central Coast. Known as “The American Riviera,” it offers majestic natural beauty paired with Spanish-style architecture, just 92 miles north of Los Angeles.
MUSEUMS AND HOTELS
MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Science + Exploration offers family fun
Santa Barbara’s highly anticipated new science and technology museum opened in February on lower State Street near the train station, adjacent to the Funk Zone and beach.
The three-story, 17,000 square-foot museum features 70 hands-on, interactive exhibits, including a strummable, 8-foot Giant Guitar; a Foley studio where visitors learn to create their own soundtracks to Fox Studios film clips; the Innovation Workshop, a makerspace with 3-D printers; and the rooftop Towbes Family Lookout Tower, where kids can look around the city through five scopes—a kaleidoscope, telescope and periscope, heat-sensing thermal imaging lens and speed-detecting device. The museum is named after Dick Wolf (creator of “Law & Order”) and his wife Noelle, major benefactors. www.moxi.org
Hotel Californian, major resort complex, will transform Santa Barbara waterfront in summer 2017
Featuring Spanish Colonial Revival architecture and modern Moorish interior décor from celebrity designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard, Hotel Californian, opening this summer, will bring a welcoming new gateway to Santa Barbara’s waterfront. Incorporating the façade of the original 1925 Hotel Californian, this 121-room coastal destination features a rooftop pool and event deck providing panoramic views of the coastline and the Santa Ynez Mountains.
Located steps from the beach, one block from Amtrak station and adjacent to Santa Barbara’s vibrant Funk Zone, Hotel Californian includes a luxurious Moroccan-inspired spa, a high-end boutique, distinctive dining venues, a best-in-class ballroom and stunning al fresco settings. http://www.thehotelcalifornian.com/
El Capitan Canyon reopened
El Capitan Canyon, a luxury campground located on the Gaviota Coast north of Santa Barbara, reopened over Memorial Day weekend in late May. The “glampground” was closed over the winter following heavy rains. Sites were restored, accommodations upgraded and wilderness trails restored to pristine condition.
With the reopening, El Capitan Canyon relaunches a myriad activities, including its popular Summer Concert Series (on Saturdays through September), a challenge ropes course, horseback riding along the beach, hiking along the 300+ acres of trails, and hikes to feed llamas and goats. http://www.elcapitancanyon.com
ACTIVITIES & EVENTS
Free James Bond film series at the SB County Courthouse, July 5 to August 25
The highly popular, free summer film series returns with free screenings under the stars most Friday nights at the scenic Santa Barbara County Courthouse Sunken Garden downtown (and indoors Wednesday nights at U.C. Santa Barbara’s Campbell Hall).
This year’s theme is “007: Bond, James Bond,” with movies ranging from the old-school “Goldfinger” and “Dr. No,” with Sean Connery playing everyone’s favorite secret agent, to “Skyfall” with Daniel Craig in the lead role (and Adele’s catchy theme song). Pack a picnic dinner and a blanket. Presented by UCSB Arts & Lectures, Santa Barbara County Arts Commission and the Community Services Department of Santa Barbara County. www.artsandlectures.ucsb.edu
Polo season kicks off at Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club
Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club’s 2017 Polo Season runs May through October at the Engel & Völkers Polo Stadium. One of the-best kept secrets on the South Coast, world-class polo matches are open to the general public, with tickets starting at only $10. Luxury field-side cabanas and special themed lounges are also available.
The Club has a new happy hour on Fridays throughout the season featuring libations and small bites for purchase. On Sundays, the Club hosts “Polo After Hours,” a social after-party following matches with dancing, music by DJ Fab and a no-host bar. Come stomp the divots and wear your best polo finery for this affordable luxury enjoyed by royalty and regular folks alike. http://www.sbpolo.com/
NOTE: We would like to thank for the support of our attendance to IPW 2017 to the US Embassy in Bucharest, US Commercial Service.
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