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Posted June 2006
Quick Guide: Summer in Santa Barbara, June through August
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 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, beachside can
still be breezy. Year-round, 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 thome.
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 summer, expect highs to be in the 70's and 80s
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. |
