Santa Barbara Remains Santa Barbara

By Don Nadeau, on June 5, 2009, in Travel

Was thrilled to visit Santa Barbara once again several days ago. In spite of fires, Santa Barbara remains, without question in my opinion, the most beautiful large city in California—and one of the most enjoyable to experience in the United States. Although the Jesusita fire during May, one of many to hit California, destroyed some 80 homes plus other structures, burnt 8,733 acres in the mountains directly in back of Santa Barbara, and swept down canyons into the upper reaches of the city itself, the many signs posted in yards and on businesses thanking firefighters are the sole indictors of the fire that you will probably notice. The one exception is the Santa Barbara Botanical Garden, which was severely impacted by the fire. Its main section remains open and undamaged (with the cacti all in bloom), but you’re surrounded by burnt vegetation and the strong smell of a recent fire. It’s frankly heartbreaking. Happily, most of the trees in the garden that lost their leaves due to heat are expected to survive. Because this garden features plants native to California, much other vegetation is also expected to snap back quickly. Heavy rains that create flash floods next winter are the main threat now. Otherwise, Santa Barbara remains Santa Barbara. Its beaches, its wonderful Mediterranean-style downtown, the mission area, and flowers and trees seemingly everywhere in bloom are all exactly as they were before. Once again on this trip, I drove most of Santa Barbara’s famed marked scenic drive along the beaches and through the city’s beautiful residential areas. Except for one section perhaps closed for fire restoration, this drive too is as before. How was Santa Barbara before? Absolutely awesome!