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  <channel>
    <title>Santa Barbara CA CVB Blog</title>
    <link>http://www.santabarbaraca.com/blog/</link>
    <description>Santa Barbara CA CVB Blog</description>
    <pubDate>Sat, 25 May 2013 23:24:54 GMT</pubDate>
    <item>
      <title>One More Day to Win!</title>
      <link>/blog/index.cfm/2013/5/23/One-More-Day-to-Win/</link>
      <description>&lt;p align="center"&gt;&#xD;
&lt;img src="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/includes/media/images/outdoor_giveaway_5-23.jpg" alt="fb outdoor giveaway" border="0" height="242" width="300" /&gt; &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
Don't miss your last chance to &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/visitsantabarbara/app_153839431317646" target="_blank"&gt;win a Santa Barbara Outdoor Adventure&lt;/a&gt;! Head over to our Facebook page and choose your favorite of the two featured Santa Barbara activities for a chance to win one of them! &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
Whether you're a long-time Santa Barbara fresh-air enthusiast or are just learning about all of the outdoor adventure one can find here, you won't want to miss your chance! &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 23 May 2013 16:17:11 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>One More Day to Win!</title>
      <link>/blog/index.cfm/2013/5/23/One-More-Day-to-Win/</link>
      <description>&lt;p align="center"&gt;&#xD;
&lt;img src="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/includes/media/images/outdoor_giveaway_5-23.jpg" alt="fb outdoor giveaway" border="0" height="242" width="300" /&gt; &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
Don't miss your last chance to &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/visitsantabarbara/app_153839431317646" target="_blank"&gt;win a Santa Barbara Outdoor Adventure&lt;/a&gt;! Head over to our Facebook page and choose your favorite of the two featured Santa Barbara activities for a chance to win one of them! &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
Whether you're a long-time Santa Barbara fresh-air enthusiast or are just learning about all of the outdoor adventure one can find here, you won't want to miss your chance! &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 23 May 2013 16:17:11 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Win a Santa Barbara Adventure!</title>
      <link>/blog/index.cfm/2013/5/21/Win-a-Santa-Barbara-Adventure/</link>
      <description>&lt;p align="center"&gt;&#xD;
&lt;img src="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/includes/media/images/facebook_giveaway.jpg" alt="facebook outdoor giveaway" border="0" height="166" width="300" /&gt; &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
From ocean to mountains, waves to trails, and sand to dirt, there is never a lack of outdoor activity in Santa Barbara. We love getting outside and playing in the sun in our favorite coastal city and we want you to as well!&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
Head over to our Facebook page now through Friday, May 24th and enter to win a Santa Barbara Adventure during the &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/visitsantabarbara/app_153839431317646" target="_blank"&gt;Great Santa Barbara Outdoor Giveaway&lt;/a&gt;, simply by voting for favorite SB activities. The best part: you can enter every day and we'll be showcasing different activities every 24 hours so if you simply can't decide which is your favorite (we know, it can be tough to choose), no worries. You'll have multiple options to vote for your favorite SB outdoor adventure and then be entered to win!&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
Don't wait; &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/visitsantabarbara" target="_blank"&gt;visit Santa Barbara on Facebook&lt;/a&gt; today to learn more! &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 21 May 2013 08:55:00 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Time to Hit the Beach in SB</title>
      <link>/blog/index.cfm/2013/5/17/Time-to-Hit-the-Beach-in-SB/</link>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
Planning a beach adventure? Looking to esape to some white sand and lapping waves? Need a place to let Fido run and play? Or the perfect sunset watching spot?&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
Then&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/things-to-do/beaches-parks/"&gt;Santa Barbara's beaches&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;are calling your name. Here's your guide to some of the area's best sandy spots:&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;b&gt;Butterfly Beach (Montecito): &lt;/b&gt;There's a reason this beautiful beach graced the cover of Travel+Leisure magazine's May 2013 issue - it's absolutely stunning. The protected Motecito coast lends itself to a quiet bay. A favorite of stand-up paddleboarders, it's not uncommon to be joined by the occassional dolphin or sea lion whil you're out on your board. If you're looking for some artistic inspiration, this is a great place to set up an easil and capture the colors with pen on paper oil on canvas or through the lens.&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p style="text-align: center"&gt;&#xD;
&lt;img src="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/includes/media/images/butterfly.jpg" height="199" width="300" border="0" alt="Butterfly Beach" /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&#xD;
&lt;i&gt;Butterfly Beach bliss&lt;/i&gt;&amp;nbsp;&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;b&gt;East and West Beach (Santa Barbara): &lt;/b&gt;Stearns Wharf divides downtown Santa Barbara's coastline into these two favorite places to play. East Beach is famous for its pick-up volleyball games. West Beach is a great spot to see the sights from a sea kayak or hop on a sail boat. Its proximity to Santa Barbara Harbor makes it ideal for these alternative ocean activities.&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p style="text-align: center"&gt;&#xD;
&lt;img src="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/includes/media/images/eastbeach.jpg" height="199" width="300" border="0" alt="East Beach" /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&#xD;
&lt;i&gt;Bump, set, spike at East Beach!&amp;nbsp;&lt;/i&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;b&gt;Leadbetter Beach (Santa Barbara): &lt;/b&gt;Beyond Santa Barbara Harbor, this beach entices with a picnic area and Shoreline Beach Cafe where you can enjoy patio dining or even a table in the sand.&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p style="text-align: center"&gt;&#xD;
&lt;img src="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/includes/media/images/leadbetter.jpg" height="200" width="300" border="0" alt="Leadbetter" /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&#xD;
&lt;i&gt;Lunchtime Leadbetter-style.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/i&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;b&gt;Arroyo Burro Beach a.k.a. Hendry's Beach (Santa Barbara): &lt;/b&gt;An SB favorite, Hendry's is excellent for long beach walks. Dogs are allowed in designated areas and it's not uncommon to see paragliders launching from the cliffs overhead.&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
&amp;nbsp;&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div style="text-align: center"&gt;&#xD;
&lt;img src="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/includes/media/images/hendrys1.jpg" style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit" height="200" width="300" border="0" alt="Hendry's" /&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 12px"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;span style="font-size: 12px"&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div style="text-align: center"&gt;&#xD;
&lt;i style="font-family: inherit"&gt;Making waves at Hendry's Beach in Santa Barbara.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/i&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
&amp;nbsp;&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;b&gt;Carpinteria City Beach (Carpinteria): &lt;/b&gt;This beach boasts the title of &amp;quot;World's Safest Beach&amp;quot; with its gentle waves and sandy ocean floor. Riptides are uncommon making it excellent for swimming and the beach stretches for miles. Enjoy a stroll through downtown &amp;quot;Carp&amp;quot; while you're here.&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;b&gt;Santa Claus Lane (Carpinteria):&lt;/b&gt; If St. Nick was looking to try surfing, this is most likely where you would find him. A locals' favorite, this is a fantastic place to try your hand at surfing, boogie boarding or take a quick dip!&amp;nbsp;&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;b&gt;Goleta Beach (Goleta): &lt;/b&gt;Like to pack it all in during your beach time? Then this is where you'll want to go. Goleta Beach offers volleybally, picnic area, fishing facilities and restaurant. Almost a mile of sandy beach leaves you with plenty of options.&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;b&gt;Refugio State Beach&lt;/b&gt;: Couple your time in the sand with a trip along a nearby hiking or biking trail. Pack a picnic and make a day of it! Just 10 minutes past Goleta, this is a fun spot for a quick escape.&amp;nbsp;&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;b&gt;Gaviota State Park:&lt;/b&gt; This beach and rugged coastline offer a slightly different perspective to the area's sand and sun. For unmatched views, consider a hike up to Gaviota Peak, which looks out over the ocean and Channel Islands.&amp;nbsp;&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
&amp;nbsp;&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 May 2013 15:57:48 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Amgen Tour of California: Racers Are Ready!</title>
      <link>/blog/index.cfm/2013/5/9/Amgen-Tour-of-California-Racers-Are-Ready/</link>
      <description>&lt;p align="center"&gt;&#xD;
&lt;img src="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/includes/media/images/amgen-blog-5-9.jpg" alt="Amgen Santa Barbara 4" border="0" height="177" width="300" /&gt; &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
With the official start of the &lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/santabarbara-tourofcalifornia/"&gt;Amgen Tour of California (ATOC)&lt;/a&gt; only four days away, make sure you're up to speed (so to speak) on everything &amp;quot;America's Greatest Race&amp;quot; offers. Know the exciting answers to these frequently asked ATOC questions:&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
1. How will the race move through California? For the first time in its history, the race will travel south to north, spanning 750 miles of California roadways. &lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/santabarbara-tourofcalifornia/route/"&gt;View the entire ATOC route&lt;/a&gt;.&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
2. What if I want to extend my stay along the way, say in sunny Santa Barbara for the Stage 4 Finish and Stage 5 Start on May 15th and 16th? You're in luck; a variety of Santa Barbara hotels are offering &lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/santabarbara-tourofcalifornia/hotel-packages/"&gt;ATOC-themed hotel packages&lt;/a&gt;.&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
3. Should I bring my bike, and if so, where should I ride while I'm in town? YES! Cycling enthusiasts of all skill levels and interests, from beginner to advanced, cruiser bike to mountain bike, will want to explore on two wheels while in town. Here are a few of our &lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/santabarbara-tourofcalifornia/outdoor-life/"&gt;favorite Santa Barbara bike routes&lt;/a&gt;.&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
4. I want to be part of the Finish Line action. Are there any special events that day? Plenty! Don't mess the festivities along Cabrillo Boulevard where the race will finish between approximately 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday and start at 11:00 on Thursday. Make the most of it by attending the &lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/santabarbara-tourofcalifornia/invitation/"&gt;Stage 4 Finish Line Viewing Party&lt;/a&gt;.&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
5. I've never cycled in or around Santa Barbara; what can I expect? Check out this &lt;a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9gRklBa978" target="_blank"&gt;Amgen Tour of California Santa Barbara cycling video&lt;/a&gt; for inspiration. &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 09 May 2013 12:21:53 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>We're Nearing 100,000 Fans on Facebook! Help Us Get There!</title>
      <link>/blog/index.cfm/2013/5/3/Were-Nearing-100000-Fans-on-Facebook-Help-Us-Get-There/</link>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
It's a milestone in both the social media world as well as our a testament to how much our friends love Santa Barbara and how much we appreciate their contributions to the social media conversation: we're nearly to 100,000 people who like &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/visitsantabarbara?ref=hl" target="_blank"&gt;our Facebook page&lt;/a&gt;! &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
If you haven't already, head over and like our page, not just to help us get there, but because our Facebook community is a great place to find inspiration, SB advice and the beta on upcoming events. d&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
The social connections continue. For those looking to find out the latest in Twitter time, check out dour Twitter feed: &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/santabarbara" target="_blank"&gt;@santabarbara&lt;/a&gt;. We're happy to answer questions and provide the travel information you're looking for!&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
More of a picture person? Head on over to &lt;a href="http://instagram.com/visitsantabarbara" target="_blank"&gt;Instagram&lt;/a&gt; (@visitsantabarbara) or Flickr for some photographic inspiration. Or put the pictures in motion with some viewing on &lt;a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/VisitSantaBarbaraCA?feature=mhee" target="_blank"&gt;our YouTube account&lt;/a&gt;.&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
For the pinners, &lt;a href="http://pinterest.com/santabarbaraca/" target="_blank"&gt;our Pinterest boards&lt;/a&gt; provide endless inspiration for planning your next trip, what to do while you're here, shopping excursions, outdoor activities, food and wine, festivals and more!&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
We also welcome fans on&lt;a href="https://plus.google.com/105370105499905191558/posts" target="_blank"&gt; Google+&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href="http://www.foodspotting.com/SantaBarbara" target="_blank"&gt;Foodspotting&lt;/a&gt;! So, join us in the social space and share your Santa Barbara stories, insight, images or video! &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 03 May 2013 14:41:43 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Amgen Tour of California: Let the Countdown Begin!</title>
      <link>/blog/index.cfm/2013/4/24/Amgen-Tour-of-California-Let-the-Countdown-Begin/</link>
      <description>&lt;p align="center"&gt;&#xD;
&lt;img src="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/includes/media/images/amgen-blog-3.jpg" alt="Amgen Santa Barbara" border="0" height="195" width="300" /&gt; &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
It's a mere few weeks until the &lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/santabarbara-tourofcalifornia/"&gt;Amgen Tour of California&lt;/a&gt; kicks off in the southern part of the state and begins its epic trek north for 750 miles and eight days. Whether you're an avid cyclists or just looking to get in on action that rivals the Tour de France, make sure you add ATOC Santa Barbara to your spring calendar. Make the most of it with a stop in Santa Barbara, which isn't only an outdoor recreation lover's paradise, but also one of the Amgen Tour of California stops to be hosting both a stage finish and stage start!&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
Here's your guide to making the most of ATOC Santa Barbara:&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/santabarbara-tourofcalifornia/route/"&gt;ROUTE&lt;/a&gt; - Your snapshot of the entire 750-mile route, which will travel from south to north for the first time this year, winding along coastal roads, over mountain passes and through some of California's most scenic destinations.&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/santabarbara-tourofcalifornia/about-sb/"&gt;SANTA BARBARA SOUTH COAST&lt;/a&gt; - If you're planning on visiting during ATOC, take a look at everything the Santa Barbara South Coast communities have to offer. We're pretty sure you won't want to leave once you do!&amp;nbsp;&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/santabarbara-tourofcalifornia/invitation/"&gt;STAGE 4 FINISH LINE PARTY&lt;/a&gt; - Join the community and cheer on racers as they speed across the finish line, then celebrate at the Stage 4 Finish Line Party! Get your tickets today and join in the fun on May 15th.&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&#xD;
&lt;img src="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/includes/media/images/amgen-blog-2.jpg" alt="Amgen Santa Barbara 2" border="0" height="300" width="300" /&gt; &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/santabarbara-tourofcalifornia/social-lounge/"&gt;SOCIAL LOUNGE&lt;/a&gt; - Keep up to date on all things #ATOC on our social media lounge. Of course, please share, post and comment if you have something positive to add!&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/santabarbara-tourofcalifornia/get-involved/"&gt;VOLUNTEER&lt;/a&gt; - Helpers welcome. Check out ways you can contribute to the Amgen Tour of California Santa Barbara.&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/santabarbara-tourofcalifornia/outdoor-life/"&gt;OUTDOOR LIFE IN SB&lt;/a&gt; - Of course, the action doesn't stop at the finish line in Santa Barbara. There is a wide variety of outdoor activity that awaits, including surfing, SUPing, golf, hiking and biking trails, rock climbing, Channel Islands National Park and much more. For those looking for some more two-wheeled fun, check out these &lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/santabarbara-tourofcalifornia/outdoor-life/"&gt;SB&amp;nbsp; bike routes&lt;/a&gt;; there's something for every ability level and interest!&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/santabarbara-tourofcalifornia/hotel-packages/"&gt;HOTEL PACKAGES&lt;/a&gt; - Extend your stay with an exclusive Amgen Tour of California Santa Barbara hotel package!&amp;nbsp; &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&#xD;
&lt;img src="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/includes/media/images/amgen-blog-1.jpg" alt="Amgen Santa Barbara 3" border="0" height="210" width="300" /&gt; &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 24 Apr 2013 08:49:59 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Amgen Tour of California: Let the Countdown Begin!</title>
      <link>/blog/index.cfm/2013/4/24/Amgen-Tour-of-California-Let-the-Countdown-Begin/</link>
      <description>&lt;p align="center"&gt;&#xD;
&lt;img src="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/includes/media/images/amgen-blog-3.jpg" alt="Amgen Santa Barbara" border="0" height="195" width="300" /&gt; &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
It's a mere few weeks until the &lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/santabarbara-tourofcalifornia/"&gt;Amgen Tour of California&lt;/a&gt; kicks off in the southern part of the state and begins its epic trek north for 750 miles and eight days. Whether you're an avid cyclists or just looking to get in on action that rivals the Tour de France, make sure you add ATOC Santa Barbara to your spring calendar. Make the most of it with a stop in Santa Barbara, which isn't only an outdoor recreation lover's paradise, but also one of the Amgen Tour of California stops to be hosting both a stage finish and stage start!&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
Here's your guide to making the most of ATOC Santa Barbara:&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/santabarbara-tourofcalifornia/route/"&gt;ROUTE&lt;/a&gt; - Your snapshot of the entire 750-mile route, which will travel from south to north for the first time this year, winding along coastal roads, over mountain passes and through some of California's most scenic destinations.&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/santabarbara-tourofcalifornia/about-sb/"&gt;SANTA BARBARA SOUTH COAST&lt;/a&gt; - If you're planning on visiting during ATOC, take a look at everything the Santa Barbara South Coast communities have to offer. We're pretty sure you won't want to leave once you do!&amp;nbsp;&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/santabarbara-tourofcalifornia/invitation/"&gt;STAGE 4 FINISH LINE PARTY&lt;/a&gt; - Join the community and cheer on racers as they speed across the finish line, then celebrate at the Stage 4 Finish Line Party! Get your tickets today and join in the fun on May 15th.&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&#xD;
&lt;img src="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/includes/media/images/amgen-blog-2.jpg" alt="Amgen Santa Barbara 2" border="0" height="300" width="300" /&gt; &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/santabarbara-tourofcalifornia/social-lounge/"&gt;SOCIAL LOUNGE&lt;/a&gt; - Keep up to date on all things #ATOC on our social media lounge. Of course, please share, post and comment if you have something positive to add!&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/santabarbara-tourofcalifornia/get-involved/"&gt;VOLUNTEER&lt;/a&gt; - Helpers welcome. Check out ways you can contribute to the Amgen Tour of California Santa Barbara.&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/santabarbara-tourofcalifornia/outdoor-life/"&gt;OUTDOOR LIFE IN SB&lt;/a&gt; - Of course, the action doesn't stop at the finish line in Santa Barbara. There is a wide variety of outdoor activity that awaits, including surfing, SUPing, golf, hiking and biking trails, rock climbing, Channel Islands National Park and much more. For those looking for some more two-wheeled fun, check out these &lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/santabarbara-tourofcalifornia/outdoor-life/"&gt;SB&amp;nbsp; bike routes&lt;/a&gt;; there's something for every ability level and interest!&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/santabarbara-tourofcalifornia/hotel-packages/"&gt;HOTEL PACKAGES&lt;/a&gt; - Extend your stay with an exclusive Amgen Tour of California Santa Barbara hotel package!&amp;nbsp; &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&#xD;
&lt;img src="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/includes/media/images/amgen-blog-1.jpg" alt="Amgen Santa Barbara 3" border="0" height="210" width="300" /&gt; &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 24 Apr 2013 08:49:59 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Earth Day Festival Around the Corner!</title>
      <link>/blog/index.cfm/2013/4/12/Earth-Day-Festival-Around-the-Corner/</link>
      <description>&lt;p align="center"&gt;&#xD;
&lt;img src="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/includes/media/images/earth_day.jpg" alt="Earth Day" border="0" height="80" width="300" /&gt; &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
Every day is Earth Day in Santa Barbara--with parks, gardens, beaches, ocean and fresh air aplenty! But once a year, we come together as a community and invite you to join us for the annual &lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/things-to-do/events/Santa-Barbara-Earth-Day-Festival-2013/12756/"&gt;Earth Day Festival&lt;/a&gt; in Alameda Park. This free festival is a flurry of family-friendly activities and eco-centric events. &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
Home to the first Earth Day celebration in 1970, Santa Barbara embraces this annual tribute to all of our Earth-friendly efforts year-round. Highlights include bike valet, eco marketplace, contest, the Environmental Hero award, food and drink vendors, a green car show, kids' corner and main stage packed with a weekend-long lineup of live entertainment!&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
Don't miss the Environmental Hero Award, which will honor two recipients this year: Van Jones, president and co-founder of Rebuild the Dream, and Bill Nye, host of Stuff Happens on Planet Green.&amp;nbsp;&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
If you're looking for a great way to honor the environment, have a fun time, and join others doing the same, make sure to kick off your Santa Barbara summer festival season with a visit to the Earth Day Festival on April 20 - 21! &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
For more ideas on how you can go green in SB throughout the year, make sure to learn more about &lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/experience-santa-barbara/sustainable/"&gt;Ecotopia&lt;/a&gt;! &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 12 Apr 2013 14:08:31 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Enjoy the Gift of Shopping in Santa Barbara!</title>
      <link>/blog/index.cfm/2013/4/4/Enjoy-the-Gift-of-Shopping-in-Santa-Barbara/</link>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
This spring, give yourself the gift of a shopping trip to Santa Barbara and receive a $25 gift card when you do! This &lt;a href="http://www.expedia.com/daily/promos/partner/cvb/santa-barbara-culture/default.asp" target="_blank"&gt;special Expedia offer&lt;/a&gt; is valid for weekday stays (Sunday - Thursday) April 1 - June 30, 2013. It's the perfect time of year to a) be in Santa Barbara, b) refresh your wardrobe and c) pamper yourself with some retail therapy!&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
Choose from a&lt;a href="http://www.expedia.com/daily/promos/partner/cvb/santa-barbara-culture/default.asp" target="_blank"&gt; variety of Santa Barbara lodging options&lt;/a&gt; on the waterfront, uptown, downtown or in Montecito. The $25 giftcard is valid at two unique Santa Barbara shopping centers--La Cumbre and Paseo Nuevo. Here you'll find everything from namebrand to unique boutique. Couple your shopping excursion with world-class wine country, unmatched outdoor recreation on The American Riviera&amp;reg;, arts and culture and a landscape teeming with tales of Romance. &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 04 Apr 2013 14:48:16 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Enjoy the Gift of Shopping in Santa Barbara!</title>
      <link>/blog/index.cfm/2013/4/4/Enjoy-the-Gift-of-Shopping-in-Santa-Barbara/</link>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
This spring, give yourself the gift of a shopping trip to Santa Barbara and receive a $25 gift card when you do! This &lt;a href="http://www.expedia.com/daily/promos/partner/cvb/santa-barbara-culture/default.asp" target="_blank"&gt;special Expedia offer&lt;/a&gt; is valid for weekday stays (Sunday - Thursday) April 1 - June 30, 2013. It's the perfect time of year to a) be in Santa Barbara, b) refresh your wardrobe and c) pamper yourself with some retail therapy!&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
Choose from a&lt;a href="http://www.expedia.com/daily/promos/partner/cvb/santa-barbara-culture/default.asp" target="_blank"&gt; variety of Santa Barbara lodging options&lt;/a&gt; on the waterfront, uptown, downtown or in Montecito. The $25 giftcard is valid at two unique Santa Barbara shopping centers--La Cumbre and Paseo Nuevo. Here you'll find everything from namebrand to unique boutique. Couple your shopping excursion with world-class wine country, unmatched outdoor recreation on The American Riviera&amp;reg;, arts and culture and a landscape teeming with tales of Romance. &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 04 Apr 2013 14:48:16 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>A Mystical Trip through Lotusland</title>
      <link>/blog/index.cfm/2013/3/29/A-Mystical-Trip-through-Lotusland/</link>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
Throughout history, Santa Barbara has been home to many artists, musicians, culinary cornerstones and eccentrics looking to be inspired by their surroundings and carve out their notable corner of the globe. One of SB's favorite characters is Ganna Walska, the visionary and leading lady behind &lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/listings/Lotusland/20137/0/"&gt;Lotusland&lt;/a&gt;--a 37-acre expanse of exotic plants, diverse gardens, whimsical natural exhibits and cobblestone paths hidden in a quiet corner of Montecito.&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&#xD;
&amp;nbsp;&lt;img src="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/includes/media/images/lotus-land-1.jpg" alt="lotusland1" border="0" height="284" width="300" /&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
This morning, a handful of us enjoyed a tour through Lotusland, taking in the eco-centric sights through a mystical mist of morning fog during which it was easy to see that Madame Walska aptly lived up to the phrase she often used to describe herself: &amp;quot;I'm an enemy of the average.&amp;quot;&amp;nbsp;&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
Indeed. There is nothing average about Lotusland, but this garden enclave is well worth a visit. Docents lead visitors through 18 gardens, including an aloe garden, cactus garden, topiary garden, water garden, orchards, water stairs, theatre garden and Australian garden, to name a few. It's one of those places that quickly transports you to another place and time. From prehistoric plants to topiary reminiscent of royal English grounds, Buddhist figures tucked away among a Japanese garden landscape and a tropical garden that evokes South Pacific vibes, it's a quick trip through a vast history.&amp;nbsp;&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&#xD;
&lt;img src="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/includes/media/images/lotus-land-2.jpg" alt="lotusland2" border="0" height="279" width="300" /&gt; &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
Our docent, Barb, graciously filled us in on many of the garden's nuances and history, peppered with fun facts about the Madame herself, including her six marriages and opera singing aspirations, globe-trotting younger years and friendships that helped define the garden as it stands today, including the donation of the cacti and euphorbias and one gardner who worked for Walska every day until he was 95.&amp;nbsp;&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
Although she passed away in the late eighties, gifting the grounds to the City of Santa Barbara, Madame Walska's mesmerizing persona looms large in Lotusland. Make sure to &lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/listings/Lotusland/20137/0/"&gt;make a reservation&lt;/a&gt; and plan for a two-hour tour.&amp;nbsp; &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&#xD;
&lt;img src="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/includes/media/images/lotus-land-3.jpg" alt="lotusland3" border="0" height="300" width="300" /&gt; &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 29 Mar 2013 14:28:29 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Top 10 Ways to Be Your Own Motor in Santa Barbara</title>
      <link>/blog/index.cfm/2013/3/22/Top-10-Ways-to-Be-Your-Own-Motor-in-Santa-Barbara/</link>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
Santa Barbara is widely known for a lot of things: architecture, history, arts and culture, wine, romance, family fun. But sometimes, one of its best features goes unsung, probably because it's so obvious, we forget to acknowledge how special it is. &lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/things-to-do/outdoor-recreation/"&gt;Outdoor recreation&lt;/a&gt;. When it comes to fresh air fun, Santa Barbara serves up a very healthy dose of opportunities for you to be your own motor. All you need is a little motivation and an adventurous spirit. Here are some of our favorite ways to make the most of Santa Barbara's outdoor offerings:&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/things-to-do/channel-islands/"&gt;&lt;b&gt;1. Channel Islands National Park:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt; Located just off the coast of Santa Barbara, across the Santa Barbara Channel, this incredibly unique national park offers you a quick trip to another time. After an exciting, wildlife-filled ferry ride across the channel, embark on an adventure by land or by sea when you start exploring this archipelago, complete with its own species of animals you won't find anywhere else in the world!&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&#xD;
&lt;img src="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/includes/media/images/channel-islands.jpg" width="300" height="300" border="0" alt="Channel Islands Sea Kayak" /&gt; &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/santabarbara-tourofcalifornia/"&gt;&lt;b&gt;2.&amp;nbsp; Amgen Tour of California Santa Barbara:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt; Whether you're a cycling enthusiast or not is beside the point when this world-class whirlwind event winds through Santa Barbara on May 15th and 16th. Watch some of the best cyclists in the country sprint to the finish on Cabrillo Boulevard on the 15th and then catch the action as they start the next leg of the 750-mile long race on the 16th. Considering extending your stay to enjoy some of the Santa Barbara's attractions and outdoor activities with an exclusive Amgen Tour of California Santa Barbara hotel packages.&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&#xD;
&lt;img src="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/includes/media/images/amgen-cctcblog.jpg" width="300" height="200" border="0" alt="Amgen" /&gt; &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;b&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/experience-santa-barbara/itineraries/golfer/"&gt;3. World-class Golf Courses:&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/b&gt;Santa Barbara's golf courses are some of the most spectacular in the country. Make your way through wine country or tee up along the coast.&amp;nbsp; &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&#xD;
&lt;img src="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/includes/media/images/golf.jpg" width="300" height="125" border="0" alt="Golf Course" /&gt; &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/experience-santa-barbara/itineraries/beachbum/"&gt;&lt;b&gt;4. Be a Beach Bum:&lt;/b&gt; &lt;/a&gt;Here, beach bums take on a slightly different meaning. You're more than welcome to spread out a blanket and soak in the sun, but it probably won't be long until you're tempted to join a pick-up beach volleyball or soccer game, or cool off with a dip in the Pacific! &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/experience-santa-barbara/itineraries/surfer/"&gt;&lt;b&gt;5. Surf's Up!:&lt;/b&gt; &lt;/a&gt;Catch a wave, hang ten or stand-up paddle your way to vacation bliss in Santa Barbara, which features some of the best breaks in the West. Take a lesson, rent equipment or bring your own boards to our beckoning ocean bays and breaks.&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;b&gt;6.&amp;nbsp; Soar to New Heights:&lt;/b&gt; That's right, Santa Barbara's outdoor adventure takes it to the skies with paragliding. Coastal breezes and seaside cliffs make this an optimum destination for paragliding. Sign up for a lesson and soar high over Santa Barbara.&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;b&gt;7. Hope on a Bike:&lt;/b&gt; If you fancy a nice bike ride, Santa Barbara has one for you. Road cyclists take to the surrounding shoulders while mountain bikers find plenty to do in the nearby hills. For a family-friendly day of pedaling, rent cruiser bikes and head to Cabrillo Boulevard.&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;b&gt;8. Cabrillo Boulevard: &lt;/b&gt;Speaking of, this favorite thoroughfare is the perfect place to go for a run, walk or ride. Enjoy the oceanside distractions while you make your way along the Santa Barbara coastline.&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&#xD;
&amp;nbsp;&lt;img src="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/includes/media/images/cabrillo.jpg" width="300" height="200" border="0" alt="Cabrillo Blvd" /&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;b&gt;9. Take a Hike: &lt;/b&gt;From Inspiration Point to Gaviota Peak, overland adventure is around every corner and along many mountainsides here. Don a pair of hiking boots or shoes and head for the hills.&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/things-to-do/outdoor-recreation/"&gt;&lt;b&gt;10. Be Your Own Captain:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt; Hop in a sea kayak and go exploring among the seals and dolphins of Santa Barbara's waters. You can enjoy a trip through Santa Barbara Harbor, or consider this a great way to explore the famous sea caves of the Channel Islands! &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 22 Mar 2013 10:54:15 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Top 10 Ways to Be Your Own Motor in Santa Barbara</title>
      <link>/blog/index.cfm/2013/3/22/Top-10-Ways-to-Be-Your-Own-Motor-in-Santa-Barbara/</link>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
Santa Barbara is widely known for a lot of things: architecture, history, arts and culture, wine, romance, family fun. But sometimes, one of its best features goes unsung, probably because it's so obvious, we forget to acknowledge how special it is. &lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/things-to-do/outdoor-recreation/"&gt;Outdoor recreation&lt;/a&gt;. When it comes to fresh air fun, Santa Barbara serves up a very healthy dose of opportunities for you to be your own motor. All you need is a little motivation and an adventurous spirit. Here are some of our favorite ways to make the most of Santa Barbara's outdoor offerings:&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/things-to-do/channel-islands/"&gt;&lt;b&gt;1. Channel Islands National Park:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt; Located just off the coast of Santa Barbara, across the Santa Barbara Channel, this incredibly unique national park offers you a quick trip to another time. After an exciting, wildlife-filled ferry ride across the channel, embark on an adventure by land or by sea when you start exploring this archipelago, complete with its own species of animals you won't find anywhere else in the world!&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&#xD;
&lt;img src="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/includes/media/images/channel-islands.jpg" width="300" height="300" border="0" alt="Channel Islands Sea Kayak" /&gt; &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/santabarbara-tourofcalifornia/"&gt;&lt;b&gt;2.&amp;nbsp; Amgen Tour of California Santa Barbara:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt; Whether you're a cycling enthusiast or not is beside the point when this world-class whirlwind event winds through Santa Barbara on May 15th and 16th. Watch some of the best cyclists in the country sprint to the finish on Cabrillo Boulevard on the 15th and then catch the action as they start the next leg of the 750-mile long race on the 16th. Considering extending your stay to enjoy some of the Santa Barbara's attractions and outdoor activities with an exclusive Amgen Tour of California Santa Barbara hotel packages.&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&#xD;
&lt;img src="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/includes/media/images/amgen-cctcblog.jpg" width="300" height="200" border="0" alt="Amgen" /&gt; &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;b&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/experience-santa-barbara/itineraries/golfer/"&gt;3. World-class Golf Courses:&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/b&gt;Santa Barbara's golf courses are some of the most spectacular in the country. Make your way through wine country or tee up along the coast.&amp;nbsp; &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&#xD;
&lt;img src="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/includes/media/images/golf.jpg" width="300" height="125" border="0" alt="Golf Course" /&gt; &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/experience-santa-barbara/itineraries/beachbum/"&gt;&lt;b&gt;4. Be a Beach Bum:&lt;/b&gt; &lt;/a&gt;Here, beach bums take on a slightly different meaning. You're more than welcome to spread out a blanket and soak in the sun, but it probably won't be long until you're tempted to join a pick-up beach volleyball or soccer game, or cool off with a dip in the Pacific! &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/experience-santa-barbara/itineraries/surfer/"&gt;&lt;b&gt;5. Surf's Up!:&lt;/b&gt; &lt;/a&gt;Catch a wave, hang ten or stand-up paddle your way to vacation bliss in Santa Barbara, which features some of the best breaks in the West. Take a lesson, rent equipment or bring your own boards to our beckoning ocean bays and breaks.&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;b&gt;6.&amp;nbsp; Soar to New Heights:&lt;/b&gt; That's right, Santa Barbara's outdoor adventure takes it to the skies with paragliding. Coastal breezes and seaside cliffs make this an optimum destination for paragliding. Sign up for a lesson and soar high over Santa Barbara.&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;b&gt;7. Hope on a Bike:&lt;/b&gt; If you fancy a nice bike ride, Santa Barbara has one for you. Road cyclists take to the surrounding shoulders while mountain bikers find plenty to do in the nearby hills. For a family-friendly day of pedaling, rent cruiser bikes and head to Cabrillo Boulevard.&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;b&gt;8. Cabrillo Boulevard: &lt;/b&gt;Speaking of, this favorite thoroughfare is the perfect place to go for a run, walk or ride. Enjoy the oceanside distractions while you make your way along the Santa Barbara coastline.&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&#xD;
&amp;nbsp;&lt;img src="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/includes/media/images/cabrillo.jpg" width="300" height="200" border="0" alt="Cabrillo Blvd" /&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;b&gt;9. Take a Hike: &lt;/b&gt;From Inspiration Point to Gaviota Peak, overland adventure is around every corner and along many mountainsides here. Don a pair of hiking boots or shoes and head for the hills.&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/things-to-do/outdoor-recreation/"&gt;&lt;b&gt;10. Be Your Own Captain:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt; Hop in a sea kayak and go exploring among the seals and dolphins of Santa Barbara's waters. You can enjoy a trip through Santa Barbara Harbor, or consider this a great way to explore the famous sea caves of the Channel Islands! &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 22 Mar 2013 10:54:15 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>It's Ecotopia in Santa Barbara</title>
      <link>/blog/index.cfm/2013/3/15/Its-Ecotopia-in-Santa-Barbara/</link>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
It might not immediately occur to you that Santa Barbara is the ideal eco destination, but dig a little deeper into the green roots of this coastal town and you'll quickly see why it's easy to be green here. &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
First, there is the literal &lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/experience-santa-barbara/sustainable/beaches-parks/"&gt;greenery all around you&lt;/a&gt;. Expansive parks and gardens feature thousands of species of native flora and offer miles of hiking and walking trails. Take a trek through SB's greenery while you're here before heading to the beach for some different Earth tones, namely white and blue. &lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/experience-santa-barbara/sustainable/beaches-parks/"&gt;Santa Barbara's pristine coastline&lt;/a&gt; invites you to dive in and explore the Pacific.&amp;nbsp;&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
And there are plenty of ways to reduce your carbon foot print while you're here. Outdoor shopping plazas and pedestrian-friendly zones make it easy to &lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/family-car-free/"&gt;go car-free&lt;/a&gt;. Hop on a cruiser bike and head to Cabrillo Boulevard, or be your own motor on a stand up paddle board or in a sea kayak! If you prefer to be chauffeured, other eco options include water taxi and pedi cab.&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
Replenish your Earth-conscious appetite with a &lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/experience-santa-barbara/sustainable/go-locavore/"&gt;variety of locavore options&lt;/a&gt;. Over 300 days of sunshine every year ensure fertile farms and ranches, many of which provide local, fresh ingredients to restaurants. The Santa Barbara Channel is another source of sustainably harvested delicacies. Make sure to try the Uni (sea urchin) while you're here; it's a Santa Barbara specialty!&amp;nbsp;&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
We have plenty of ideas on how you can enjoy &lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/experience-santa-barbara/sustainable/"&gt;Ecotopia in Santa Barbara&lt;/a&gt;. And if you're here in late April, don't miss the Earth Day Festival. Celebrate this great day in the city that hosted the very first Earth Day festival in the late 60s! &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 15 Mar 2013 15:47:05 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Santa Barbara at Your Fingertips</title>
      <link>/blog/index.cfm/2013/2/20/Santa-Barbara-at-Your-Fingertips/</link>
      <description>&lt;div align="center"&gt;&#xD;
&lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Make Spring Break a Different Kind of Interactive Experience&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&#xD;
&lt;img src="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/includes/media/images/Family_running_on_beach1.jpg" alt="spring break in sb" border="0" height="200" width="300" /&gt; &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p align="left"&gt;&#xD;
Sometimes, you experience a destination. But in Santa Barbara, you can actually interact with one. This spring break, head to a place the entire family can truly get in touch with! It's a hands-on destination that invites you to participate, creating an experience that the entire family will want to hold on to.&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p align="left"&gt;&#xD;
Start with a visit to the &lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/listings/Santa-Barbara-Museum-of-Natural-History/345/0/"&gt;Santa Barbra Museum of Natural History&lt;/a&gt; where you can check out a complete Blue Whale skeleton-one of only five in the entire United States! Then head to the &lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/listings/Santa-Barbara-Zoo/173/0/"&gt;Santa Barbara Zoo&lt;/a&gt; and help the zookeepers feed a giraffe before you make your way to the &lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/listings/Ty-Warner-Sea-Center/20119/0/"&gt;Ty Warner Sea Center &lt;/a&gt;for a series of interactive, hands-on exhibits including small sharks. From there, you'll need to replenish. Best to head to one of &lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/things-to-do/food-drink/farm-stands-and-u-pick/"&gt;six weekly farmers markets&lt;/a&gt; to peruse some local produce, or do the picking yourself at a nearby u-pick farm! &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p align="left"&gt;&#xD;
In Santa Barbara, &lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/things-to-do/tours/"&gt;getting around even becomes a fun&lt;/a&gt;, family activity when you &lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/family-car-free/"&gt;ditch the car&lt;/a&gt; and hop in a surrey or pedi-cab. Or rent bikes and cruise along Cabrillo Boulevard from one activity to the next. Of course, there's always the &lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/listings/Celebration-Cruises-Santa-Barbara-Water-Taxi/20818/0/"&gt;water taxi option&lt;/a&gt;. For a small fee, you can hop in and take this ocean-friendly trip from the Santa Barbara Harbor to Stearns Wharf, learning for a knowledgeable captain along the way. Keep an eye out for sea lions, dolphins and starfish!&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p align="left"&gt;&#xD;
For dinner, consider a trip to iGrill Korean BBQ where the hands-on fun continues when you grill your own entr&amp;eacute;e! After a full day of play, book your stay at &lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/listings/Hotel-Indigo-Santa-Barbara/42/0/"&gt;Hotel Indigo&lt;/a&gt;, where you'll be surrounded by ever-changing local art, installments, creative plants and more. You'll need your rest because tomorrow, the fun at your fingertips continues with a possible trip to the beach, or maybe a hike through the &lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/listings/Santa-Barbara-Botanic-Garden/166/0/"&gt;Santa Barbara Botanic Garden&lt;/a&gt;. &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
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This spring break, come to Santa Barbara-where vacations come to life.&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 20 Feb 2013 11:51:41 GMT</pubDate>
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      <title>Santa Barbara at Your Fingertips</title>
      <link>/blog/index.cfm/2013/2/20/Santa-Barbara-at-Your-Fingertips/</link>
      <description>&lt;div align="center"&gt;&#xD;
&lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Make Spring Break a Different Kind of Interactive Experience&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&#xD;
&lt;img src="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/includes/media/images/Family_running_on_beach1.jpg" alt="spring break in sb" border="0" height="200" width="300" /&gt; &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p align="left"&gt;&#xD;
Sometimes, you experience a destination. But in Santa Barbara, you can actually interact with one. This spring break, head to a place the entire family can truly get in touch with! It's a hands-on destination that invites you to participate, creating an experience that the entire family will want to hold on to.&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p align="left"&gt;&#xD;
Start with a visit to the &lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/listings/Santa-Barbara-Museum-of-Natural-History/345/0/"&gt;Santa Barbra Museum of Natural History&lt;/a&gt; where you can check out a complete Blue Whale skeleton-one of only five in the entire United States! Then head to the &lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/listings/Santa-Barbara-Zoo/173/0/"&gt;Santa Barbara Zoo&lt;/a&gt; and help the zookeepers feed a giraffe before you make your way to the &lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/listings/Ty-Warner-Sea-Center/20119/0/"&gt;Ty Warner Sea Center &lt;/a&gt;for a series of interactive, hands-on exhibits including small sharks. From there, you'll need to replenish. Best to head to one of &lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/things-to-do/food-drink/farm-stands-and-u-pick/"&gt;six weekly farmers markets&lt;/a&gt; to peruse some local produce, or do the picking yourself at a nearby u-pick farm! &#xD;
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&lt;p align="left"&gt;&#xD;
In Santa Barbara, &lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/things-to-do/tours/"&gt;getting around even becomes a fun&lt;/a&gt;, family activity when you &lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/family-car-free/"&gt;ditch the car&lt;/a&gt; and hop in a surrey or pedi-cab. Or rent bikes and cruise along Cabrillo Boulevard from one activity to the next. Of course, there's always the &lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/listings/Celebration-Cruises-Santa-Barbara-Water-Taxi/20818/0/"&gt;water taxi option&lt;/a&gt;. For a small fee, you can hop in and take this ocean-friendly trip from the Santa Barbara Harbor to Stearns Wharf, learning for a knowledgeable captain along the way. Keep an eye out for sea lions, dolphins and starfish!&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p align="left"&gt;&#xD;
For dinner, consider a trip to iGrill Korean BBQ where the hands-on fun continues when you grill your own entr&amp;eacute;e! After a full day of play, book your stay at &lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/listings/Hotel-Indigo-Santa-Barbara/42/0/"&gt;Hotel Indigo&lt;/a&gt;, where you'll be surrounded by ever-changing local art, installments, creative plants and more. You'll need your rest because tomorrow, the fun at your fingertips continues with a possible trip to the beach, or maybe a hike through the &lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/listings/Santa-Barbara-Botanic-Garden/166/0/"&gt;Santa Barbara Botanic Garden&lt;/a&gt;. &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p align="left"&gt;&#xD;
This spring break, come to Santa Barbara-where vacations come to life.&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 20 Feb 2013 11:51:41 GMT</pubDate>
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    <item>
      <title>Closing the Curtain on another Successful Film Feast</title>
      <link>/blog/index.cfm/2013/2/7/Closing-the-Curtain-on-another-Successful-Film-Feast/</link>
      <description>As they say in the biz, &amp;quot;That's a wrap!&amp;quot; After 11 days full of delicious food, wine and cocktail flights and hotel packages, we say adieu to this year's &lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/filmfeast/"&gt;Film Feast&lt;/a&gt; celebration, but not without some reflection on another incredible success! This year's credits included 24 restaurants and tasting rooms and 25 hotel packages. Many of those who ordered Film Feast tasting menus and flights were pleasantly surprised with free movie tickets and discount movie passes. It was the perfect way to fuel up for a night of movie-going or celebrity tributes, which included A-list names such as Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lawrence, Daniel Day-Lewis, Quentin Tarantino and Amy Adams. The foodie fun could also be found on &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/visitsantabarbara?ref=hl"&gt;Facebook&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/santabarbara"&gt;Twitter&lt;/a&gt;,&lt;a href="http://instagram.com/visitsantabarbara"&gt; Instagram&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="https://foursquare.com/santabarbara"&gt;foursquare&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href="http://www.foodspotting.com/SantaBarbara"&gt;Foodspotting&lt;/a&gt;!&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
We also enjoyed the fun guest perspective of our featured guest blogger, Holley, from Southern Belle in Santa Barbara fame. Make sure to &lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/blog/index.cfm/2013/1/28/Film-Feast-Dining-Out-Highlights-from-Our-Guest-Blogger/"&gt;check out her Film Feast insights&lt;/a&gt; if you haven't already! A big thank you to all who participated, from restaurants, hotels and tasting rooms to film buffs and foodies. It was an award-winning year for Film Feast and we look forward to serving up even more fun next year!&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 07 Feb 2013 11:15:54 GMT</pubDate>
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    <item>
      <title>Film Feast: A Night in the Time of Your Life by Noelle and Jen</title>
      <link>/blog/index.cfm/2013/1/31/Film-Feast-A-Night-in-the-Time-of-Your-Life-by-Noelle-and-Jen/</link>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
Despite what some purport as an Oscar snub, it's hard to argue that this was the Year of Ben. With his acclaimed &lt;i&gt;Argo&lt;/i&gt;, Affleck joined the ranks of Hollywood elite so it was with great excitement that he was announced as this year's Modern Master Award recipient at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. On-hand for the festivities were SBCVB&amp;amp;FC's very own Noelle and Jen who hopped into Film Feast participant, Julienne prior to the show to enjoy the Big Lebowski Menu, complete with a White Russian milkshake! &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
Here is Noelle's take on A Night in the Time of Their Lives during &lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/filmfeast/"&gt;Film Feast&lt;/a&gt;:&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
To start off my Film Feast/SBIFF adventure, I dined at Julienne and feasted on their&lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/filmfeast/menu-details/"&gt; Film Feast prix fixe menu&lt;/a&gt; inspired after the cult-classic, The Big Lebowski. &amp;quot;Take 1&amp;quot; was a Frisee Salad sprinkled with toasted beer nuts, mini and extra fluffy pancakes, and drizzled with a Lingonberry Vinaigrette dressing. Delicious, and just light enough to tide me over for the main course. &amp;quot;Take 2&amp;quot; was an ah-mazing I &amp;lsquo;n' O burger (Julienne's take on the famous In-N-Out Burger). Let me just say every bit of this burger did it justice. It was juicy, melt-y and came &amp;quot;Animal Style&amp;quot; of course, all with a side of crisp house cut fries. One word - yum. It also paired quite nicely with my glass of local Pinot Noir I might add. For dessert, &amp;quot;Take 3&amp;quot; was a delectable White Russian Milk Shake, (&amp;quot;The Dude's&amp;quot; favorite beverage of choice, of course). It was so delicious and creamy that it tasted like melted, homemade vanilla ice cream. It even came with an oversized soda shop straw so I could gulp down every last delicious sip. &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&#xD;
&lt;img src="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/includes/media/images/2013-01-25_18-03-34_543.jpg" alt="Julienne Film Feast" border="0" height="400" width="300" /&gt; &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
After a full belly I ventured over to the Arlington Theatre for the highly anticipated Modern Master Award honoring Ben Affleck. As if I wasn't already a fan of Mr. Affleck, his ranking crept even higher after the one-on-one interview with Film Critic, Leonard Maltin. Leonard was the perfect person to interview Ben. His questions were relevant and interesting, he engaged Ben, and most of all deep down you knew he was really just a movie lover and fan just like the rest of the audience. Ben was charming, humble, witty, and a great story-teller. He had the audience laughing and was self-deprecating at times, laughing and cringing at some of his film clips and roles that Maltin discussed and played for the crowd.&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&#xD;
&lt;img src="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/includes/media/images/2013-01-259520-52-0995444.jpg" alt="Affleck" border="0" height="225" width="300" /&gt; &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
We went on a journey through Ben's early acting days, learning of his struggles and accomplishments, and then fast forwarded to hear of his current role as a Director. You could feel a sense of how proud Ben was for the highly-acclaimed films he directed including The Town, Gone Baby Gone and Argo. Like a beaming father talking about his child. (Might I also add he is father to 3 children in which he gushed over.) The pleasant ending to the evening was a surprise visit by his long-time best friend Matt Damon who presented the Modern Master Award to Ben. Before presenting the award, Matt gushed over Ben but of course made sure to throw in a few witty cracks, like only a best friend would do. Their brotherly rapport made it clear why they've been best friends for 30 years. &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&#xD;
&lt;img src="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/includes/media/images/IMG_6043.jpeg" alt="Damon" border="0" height="225" width="300" /&gt; &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
With a satisfied palate and smile on my face, I departed the theatre and made a mental note to myself to (re)rent every Affleck/Damon flick from NetFlix the following weekend. Check.&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
&amp;nbsp;&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 31 Jan 2013 12:33:09 GMT</pubDate>
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      <title>Film Feast: A Night in the Time of Your Life by Jaime</title>
      <link>/blog/index.cfm/2013/1/30/Film-Feast-A-Night-in-the-Time-of-Your-Life-by-Jaime/</link>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
Film Feast and the Santa Barbara International Film Festival have never seen so much excitement. WIth Ben Affleck and Daniel Day Lewis having graced the celebrity tribute stage and Quentin Tarantino, Amy Adams and Jennifer Lawrence yet to come, the red carpet is getting some serious love this week. And &lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/filmfeast/"&gt;Film Feast &lt;/a&gt;continues to fuel film goers with its excellent &lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/filmfeast/menu-details/"&gt;prix fixe menus and tasting flights&lt;/a&gt;, available through February 3rd! Make sure to check out these &lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/filmfeast/participants/"&gt;participating restaurants, tasting rooms, bars and lounges and hotels&lt;/a&gt; to see what you can experience now through the weekend! &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
In the mean time, here is a little taste bud teaser from the Santa Barbara Conference and Visitors Bureau's own Jaime, who tried &lt;a href="http://www.santabarbaraca.com/visitors/special-offers/?action=details&amp;amp;couponID=2950"&gt;Enerprise Fish Company's &lt;i&gt;A Fish Called Wanda&lt;/i&gt; menu&lt;/a&gt;:&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
During Film Feast, I dined at Enterprise Fish Company.  They have a delicious and well-priced three-course prix-fixe menu from which the diner can select from different choices for each course.  The entire meal was so wonderful, as was the service; so much so, it's hard to pick a favorite dish.  But if I had to, it would be the Mt. Cook Alpine King Salmon which is served mesquite grilled with &amp;quot;Mojo de Ajo&amp;quot; charred lemon.  The salmon was cooked perfectly and had the most wonderful flavors. I would definitely recommend it to anyone in the mood for good seafood!&#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;p&gt;&#xD;
Stay tuned for more insider tips, tastes and tidbits as Film Feast rolls on through the weekend! &#xD;
&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 30 Jan 2013 09:55:55 GMT</pubDate>
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