Round The World and other travels
A frequent flyer's collection of trip diaries
March 2005 : Santa Barbara & Solvang
Santa Barbara
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The attractive main street in downtown Santa Barbara has a European feel. |
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Some flowers that caught my eye, close to the pier. |
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Santa Barbara is a well-used stop on Amtrak commuter runs. |
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Another view of Santa Barbara's historic central area |
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Santa Barbara was known as Queen of the Franciscan missions in California. The cross was appropriately adorned with Lenten purple during my visit. |
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Front aspect of the mission church, still in use as a parish church. |
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Another part of the Santa Barbara mission buildings. |
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A spring-like view in the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden ... but where did the sun go? |
Solvang
The Danish enclave of Solvang lies
west and slightly north of Santa Barbara, across the Santa Ynez
mountains. It must come as a bit of a shock to tourists who arrive
there without being fore-warned! In my view, a place like this has
to tread a fine line between being authentic to its roots and
attractive to tourists, on the one hand, and creating an impression
of over-the-top kitsch, on the other. Personally, I quite enjoyed
this first visit to the village, including the tasty Scandinavian
lunch offerings
At the same time, I felt that the proliferation of rather twee
little gift shops was just a bit too precious for my liking.
