Spring Break 2010: Day 1: Santa Barbara: Stearn's Wharf

Spring Break is always beautiful. The sun is shining and the flowers are blooming in every city. Perfect for travel.

The goal destination was Hearst Castle in San Simeon, about four hours north of Cypress, but I planned a few stops along the way. The first was Santa Barbara, CA. It was a calm sunny day for the thriving city. Palm trees lined the coastal paths and local artwork covered the building walls. The surfside feel was prominent near Stearn’s Wharf. The wharf is still fully functional to this day, but includes some other attractions as well. Stearn’s Wharf is complete with restaurants, shops, cruises, and a sea center. It was an extraordinarily wide pier and allowed cars to go onto the deck and park near the end. Lunch was at the Santa Barbara Shellfish Company on the wharf. It was an order and take out place, but the seafood was good. Their coconut shrimp was flavorful. Especially while holding a vast view of Santa Barbara and the ocean waters. Sea gulls were flying around above us. Though I was disappointed to realize no pelicans were in sight. Instead, I spotted a sea lion in the water. He would swim around for a few seconds and then dive underwater, only to emerge ten seconds later a good number of yards from his original spot. I continued to walk and soon passed the triple dolphin fountain that marked the entrance to the wharf. Time to see one more tourist destination that Santa Barbara has to offer…

For more information visit: www.stearnswharf.org