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Posted April 2006
Day by Day
 A Seven-Day Guide to What's Happening in Santa Barbara Wine Country.
SANTA BARBARA WINE COUNTRY—No matter when you arrive in Santa
Barbara, Californiathere's something happening. WineCountry.com
takes a seven-day look at events happening each and every day
of the week this spring on the American Riviera.
Keep
in mind that some of these events are ongoing, throughout the
year, and may happen on days other than those specified here.
Call in advance to make sure they can accommodate you on whatever
day you plan to go.
Day by Day: Spring in Santa Barbara Wine Country
Monday
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden (Santa Barbara, CA)
Get ready for native flowers and blooms of all sorts to be
busting out all over this spring. This historic garden is
part of the true charm of Santa Barbara, preserving and maintaining
the natural landscape of the region. 1212 Mission Canyon
Road, Santa Barbara, CA., 805.682.4726. Hours, 9am to 5pm
daily. Admission, $7 for adults, $5 seniors, $4 for children.
Kids will get a kick out of wandering through the wooded
paths and bridges, adults can seek out the garden for a needed
bit of solitude.
Tuesday
Firestone Walker Brewing Co. presents Tuesdays at the Taproom (Buellton,
CA)
Live Music: Firestone Walker Fine Ales announces a new series of weekly
entertainment with "Tuesdays at The Taproom" in Buellton, featuring
beer dinners, wine dinners, live music and more. Live entertainment from
6 to 9 p.m. No cover charge. Dinner served from 5 to 9pm, 620 McMurray
Road, Buellton, CA, 805.686.1557. Fee: No cover charge. A lively night
out on Tuesday night makes a great escape from the ordinary. Kids are not
recommended at this event.
Wednesday
 Gray
Whale Watching (through May 31, Channel Islands)
Search for majestic gray whales on a wildlife-watching cruise
of the Channel Islands. Condor Cruises leads trips out at 9am,
noon and 3pm most days to see the whales migrating through
this region from February through the end of May. If
you go, be sure to dress warmly and bring your camera—you're all but guaranteed
to see something. The Captain of the Condor Express issues" Whale checks" on
voyages that fail to see wildlife, offering a free ride on another day, when
hopefully your luck at finding whales will be better. This is a great activity
for families or couples. Condor Cruises @ Sea Landing in the Santa Barbara
Harbor, 301 W. Cabrillo Blvd. , Santa Barbara, CA, 888.77WHALE.
Thursday
Ventura Thursday Downtown Market (Ventura)
Perfect for the whole family, you can the booths stocked with
local produce and delicious nibbles at this seasonal (February
through December) open air farmers market. Downtown Ventura.
Main & California Streets, Ventura, CA.
Time: 5 to 8:30pm. Phone Number: (805) 652.2089
Family Tours at Lotusland Garden (Santa Barbara)
Visit the spectacular gardens of this once-private estate, cultivated over
the years into a series of unique landscapes. The Lotusland tour includes
journeys through the water garden, Australian garden, butterfly, topiary,
all-blue garden and several others. Tours for all ages are offered the first
Thursday morning of each month at 10 a.m., and the third Thursday afternoon
of each month at 1:30 p.m. (except between November 15 and February 19).
Family tours are child and parent friendly and are separate from regular
adult tours. Adult members $15 or use admission passes; children under ten
$8; children under two free. Reservations are required. Call for reservations
9 am to 12 pm, Monday – Friday, 805.969.9990
Friday
Friday Night Wine & Cheese Pairing (Solvang)
Epicurean Picnic, Solvang's new gourmet cheese shop is hosting weekly Friday
Night Cheese Tastings, featuring gourmet cheeses paired with a complimentary
glass of wine from local wineries including East Valley Vineyard, Palmina
Winery, Carhartt Winery, Lucas & Lewellen, Three Saints Vineyard, Dierberg
Vineyard, and many others. Educational and fun in a casual "happy hour" atmosphere.
1582 Mission Dr. Solvang, CA. Fee: $20.00 per person, no reservation
required. Time: 5 to 7pm Phone Number: 805.693.9212.
Saturday
Cachuma Lake Wildlife Cruises (Cachuma Lake)
Head out to one of the region's favorite wildlife areas. Conducted on the 45-passenger
pontoon boat "Osprey," Cachuma Lake Wildlife cruises feature a
2-hour tour with a naturalist describing area wildlife, wildflowers and resident
birds. $15 adults; $7 children age 12 and under. March-October, cruises are
generally conducted Friday at 3:00pm; Saturday at 10:00am and 3:00pm and
Sunday at 10:00am. Reservations are recommended; call 805.686.5050 weekdays;
805.686.5055 weekends to reserve and verify schedule times. www.cachuma.com
Sunday
Touristorica: an Historic Downtown
Walking Tour (Santa Barbara)
Experience Santa Barbara's past at an easy strolling pace. Led by trained docents
the tour, headed up by the Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara, focuses
on significant historic buildings, architectural styles, landscaping and the
city's rich cultural past. Walking shoes and a hat are recommended, lasts about
two hours. Meet on the steps of City Hall, de la Guerra Plaza, Santa Barbara,
CA. Fee: $5 per person. Time: 10 am to noon, Saturdays and Sundays, weather
dependent. Phone Number: (805) 965.6307
Santa Barbara Arts & Crafts Show (Santa Barbara)
The only continuous arts festival of original drawings, paintings, graphics,
sculpture, crafts and photography in the world. Approximately 300 Santa Barbara
County resident artists display their own works in an informal atmosphere under
the palms of Chase Palm Park. All items are original art, created by the artists
you meet. The show is held near Chase Palm Park Recreation Center, Santa Barbara,
CA., on all Sundays and holidays. Free, 10 a.m. to dusk. Phone: 805.897.1982
or visit www.sbaacs.com
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