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Posted April 2006
Quick Weather & Travel Guide
Spring in Santa Barbara, February to April
It's hard not to want to pack up and move to a place that has
some 300-plus days of sun each year—and not blistering hot sun,
but typically 70-75 degree weather throughout the spring, summer
and fall. Ah, Santa Barbara. No wonder the freeways can get so
packed.
Located just up the road from its nearest big city, Los Angeles,
Santa Barbara is an ocean-side nirvana, where days rarely heat
up past "comfortable in
shirtsleeves" or cool down past "grab a jacket, just in case."
And though there can be a few anomalous days—especially the
quirky weather in June, when foggy mornings linger a bit—weather
is mostly perfectly, well, perfect.
What to pack
If you're hanging out near the beach, you may be surprised to find out the
ocean can be downright chilly most of the year. Though it warms in the summer,
forget about taking an evening dip anytime in the spring. This time of year,
you'll do best to start out with a few layers, a short sleeve shirt with
a light jacket just to ward off the morning chill. Shorts are usually fine,
but Santa Barbara tends to be a fairly upscale town, so if you want to fit
in with the locals, forgo the tourist Bermudas and opt instead for lighter
linen pants, jeans or khakis, especially if you're going wine tasting. You'll
feel more at home.
Despite its reputation for being the playground of the rich
and famous (and trust us, you'll likely see a star or two), casual
wear is the name of the game. There's almost never a need for
a sportcoat or tie, unless you're planning to be at some very
elegant events. Women may want to bring some interesting scarves
to accessorize (and double as a wrap on cooler nights).
Dining Style
Santa Barbara, as we mentioned, is every bit California casual, but because
of its proximity to trendy LA and the number of wealthy folks living in the
area, you may want to dress up for dinner just a bit. Though even the most
sophisticated restaurants usually welcome diners dressed in pretty much anything
appropriate for a casual office environment: slacks and a sweater, a comfortable
skirt, pants, you'll want to avoid jeans or shorts—or be labeled a tourist.
The People You'll Meet
Santa Barbara itself has many second homes of wealthy celebrities,
politicians and the otherwise well-heeled (and those who want to be near
them). You'll find plenty of upscale shops and restaurants that cater to
these folks. However, the areas just outside the town of Santa Barbara
tend to be much more laid back and quickly veer toward rural. There is
also a significant Latino population, which contributes to a multicultural
feel and plenty of excellent taquerias to try out.
Typical temperatures
Throughout the spring, expect highs to be in the mid-70s and
lows to dip into the 50s, at their lowest. As the weather warms,
along with the ocean, the evenings will stay a bit balmier.
Rainfall
There's always a slight chance of rain throughout April, but May and June tend
to be drier. Without the ocean influence, this would, in fact, be desert, so
don't worry too much about rain--but it's never a bad idea to have a water-resistant
jacket tucked away just in case.
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