Santa Barbara Blooming with Events and Festivals this Spring!

It’s spring in Santa Barbara, which means the event and festival scene begins to ramp up as the days get longer and warmer! If you’re cruising through California’s Central Coast, plan your trip to coincide with one, or a few, of these classic Santa Barbara happenings:

The 24^th Annual Santa Maria Strawberry Festival: April 29 – May 1, 2012
Nothing says summer like strawberry shortcake and no place produces strawberries quite as sweet as Santa Maria Valley. Head to Santa Maria Fairpark April 29^th, 30^th and May 1^st from 11:00am – 11:00pm for some wholesome family fun, including the biggest, juiciest, freshest strawberries Santa Barbara County has to offer. A variety of culinary delights and cooking demonstrations will complement.

1^st Thursday: May 3^rd and June 7^th, 2012
Join Santa Barbarans for an evening of art and culture, free to the public! Wander galleries and art-related venues to take in the best of the Santa Barbara arts and culture scene. 5:00pm – 8:00pm.

Old Hollywood Grandeur in Santa Barbara: The Granada Theatre

Reblogged from The Central Coast Traveler:

• 

Santa Barbara’s Granada Theatre is a gorgeously restored 1924 vintage gem on State Street, in the center of town. The ornate front doors are like portals into a glamorous past; I can imagine hobnobbing with Marion Davies or Buster Keaton at a premiere. I wish I had gone in during my last visit. It’s definitely on the list for next time.

Channel Islands National Park: The Galápagos of North America

This is the perfect time of year to really get out there and explore all that California’s Central Coast has to offer. A perfect example? Channel Islands National Park.

Comprised of five islands known as “the Galápagos of North America,” Channel Islands National Park is a world apart. Despite the isolation that makes it one of the country’s least-visited national parks and that allows 2,000 plant and animal species to thrive (the cat-sized Island fox is one of 145 Channel Islands species found nowhere else in the world), some areas can be reached in an hour or less from Oxnard and Ventura with Island Packers. You can also travel to Santa Rosa Island on flights with Channel Islands Aviation.

For excellent introductions to the islands, stop at visitor centers in Ventura and Santa Barbara. The renovated Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center at Ventura Harbor features new interactive displays and a tidal pool exhibit with lobsters and sand sharks.

California’s Central Coast Highlight: April Events

During April, the four regions of California’s Central Coast offer many wonderful events to enjoy. Here are just a few:

The Pebble Beach Food & Wine Festival is an annual culinary celebration of the world’s finest food and wines (4/12 – 4/15). With wine tastings and special dishes prepared by leading chefs, the Santa Barbara County Vintners Festival Weekend is the perfect way to welcome spring (4/20 – 4/23). The contemporary dining scene and area wineries of Pismo Beach take center stage during Taste of Pismo, a great opportunity to sample local wines and discover this city’s restaurants (4/20 – 4/22). The historic Ojai Valley Tennis Tournament is one of the country’s leading amateur events where such legends as Pete Sampras and Billie Jean King once played (4/24 – 4/29). Tip your glass at Paso Robles’ 20^th Annual Hospice du Rhône and journey through the largest international collection of Rhône variety wines (4/26 – 4/28). For lovers of all things strawberry, nothing beats the sweet sensations of the Santa Maria Strawberry Festival (4/27 – 4/29).

To find more events held throughout California’s Central Coast, visit TourTheCentralCoast.com.

Flying High in BBQ Country, Santa Maria Valley

The fine weather in the Santa Maria Valley is one reason why the region is known as California’s BBQ Capital. After all, you need pretty good weather to barbecue all year round like the locals do, right?

The valley’s moderate coastal climate is also conducive to producing world-class wines, growing some of California’s finest strawberries and…flying kites! And on April 22, in the heart of National Kite Month, the valley’s open skies and cool breezes will abound with color as the Discovery Museum hosts its annual Family Kite Festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Rotary Centennial Park.

17th Annual Central Coast Orchid Show and Sale

Did you know the number of orchid species equals more than twice the number of bird species, and about four times the number of mammal species? This fascinating fact and more information about orchids can be found here. But if you want to lay your eyes on the true beauty and unique characteristics of orchids rather than read about them, you’ll definitely want to check out the 17th Annual Central Coast Orchid Show & Sale in Arroyo Grande between March 31 and April 1.

Enjoy the numerous variations of orchids through demonstrations and plant tours then grab a bite to eat and sign up for door prizes and raffles. You can even purchase your favorite blooms and share their splendor with friends. For more event information click here.

Santa Clara Valley Spring Passport Weekend

Get your fill of Santa Clara Valley wines March 24th–25th at the Santa Clara Valley Passport Weekend hosted by Wineries of Santa Clara Valley! There will be over 20 participating wineries offering wine and food pairings, plus additional entertainment including music, art, winery tours, and barrel tastings.

With your purchase of the event’s wine passport, you’ll receive a souvenir wine glass and wine trail map. For more information on the event and how to purchase your wine passport click here. Cheers!