I will be lucky enough to be in Santa Barbara, Ca from 1/14 to1/19. I plan at least on trip out to the Channel Islands National Park. Are there other local places that I don't want to miss other than the various ocean vistas? I will appreciate any advice. Thanks, Ed

besides the islands and wharf area, there are botanical gardens up the hill a ways from downtown.Also within rather short drives are Najoqui Falls, Coronado Butterfly Preserve, Ellwood Main Butterfly Grove, Cold Spring Arches Bridge, Solvang, Jalama and Surf Beach, Gaviota Beach and many others -- Jim & Dawn http://www.biteyourbum.com Canon EOS 30D - Jim's Sony A100 - Dawn's Proud Parent of a US Marine PGR Supporter

One of my favorite places is Arroyo Burro Beach County Park. Great photo ops if the hanggliders are out.Pete F.

Check out the sunsets from Shoreline Park.

Thank you all for the info, I will check out all of the suggestions. All I need now is good weather. Whatever the weather is like it has to be better than the Chicago area.Happy Holidays to all.ED

I remember that botanical garden being pretty nice about 15 years ago. One time I was there someone dragged in a huge 8x10 view camera and was shooting a shot of the waterfall that is in there. Really cool. I stood there for about a half hour with my lowly Canon A1 in hand watching him work.

But I've been to some others and, IMHO, if it's anything like the ones I've seen, you don't want to miss it. I've been on this forum for over 2 years and I can't remember seeing any pictures of the missions.

Alvin Nunleywrote:But I've been to some others and, IMHO, if it's anything like the ones I've seen, you don't want to miss it. I've been on this forum for over 2 years and I can't remember seeing any pictures of the missions.

So what's the trick to actually embedding an image into a post? I thought you just pasted the URL into the body of the message, but obviously, that's not correct...

And BTW, the other mission in this gallery is Mission San Luis Rey in Oceanside - south of L.A. & just north of Carlsbad & San Diego. Founded in 1798 or so I believe. It's the eighteenth of the Franciscan establishments in California; and the second founded in what is now the County of San Diego.Probably more than you ever wanted to know about this Mission...Sorry - got carried away... -- Barry

if you like Mexican food, you have to eat atLa Super-Rica Taqueria 622 N Milpas StSome really really good tacos

Regarding the Mission, I have been there before twice, the last time we attended mass there on Palm Sunday, 6 or 7 years ago. I was only there for 2 days and did not have any time to go further afield. I appreciate all of your input.Thanks again. ED

Eat a jalama burger athttp://www.jalamabeach.comthe drive there is a nice windy road through the mountains, just a few miles north of Santa Barbara. Lots of car advertisements are filmed on this road. If you can get on Vandenberg AFB, drive to the top of Tranquillion Mountain on the south part of the base, the views up and down the beach there are world class. Sunday afternoon, check out Cold Springs Tavern, a few miles NE of Santa Barbara towards Santa Inez, turn left on Stage Coach Rd, about 1/2 mile. Great hangout with live old time blues on Sunday. You will see everything from bikers to Benz SLRs. Of course, PCH 1 between Monterey Bay and SF is spectacular but would be a long day's drive (worth it).

Thanks! -- Barry