Top Rated Santa Barbara County Hotel

Wine Tours Santa Barbara Events Missions in Santa Barbara

Enjoy Santa Barbara County's Central Coast Bed & Breakfast Inns. Relax and rejuvenate at the Historic Santa Maria Inn offering charming rooms, fine dining, wine tasting and a full-service spa. Stay close to the many Santa Barbara events and attractions.

Santa Barbara County Wine Tours. With 58 wineries, Santa Barbara offers a wide variety of wine tours to choose from. Take a wine tour in Solvang, visit the San Luis Obispo Vineyards or follow the Santa Maria Valley or Foxen Canyon Wine Trails. The Historic Santa Maria Inn offers special Wine Tour Packages. We take care of the details to ensure that your trip is restful and relaxing.  [Top]

Santa Barbara Events. There are so many local artistic and cultural attractions to choose from. Santa Barbara is home to a year-round selection of internationally acclaimed events including performing arts, dance, music, visual arts and theater. The Historic Santa Maria Inn even offers a special Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts Theatrefest Package.  [Top]

Missions in Santa Barbara. Explore the many museums and missions of Santa Barbara County. These popular attractions of Santa Barbara are all close to your room at the Historic Santa Maria Inn. Enjoy the convenience of a first-class room located near these exciting attractions.

• Chapel San Ramon. This century old church and cemetery is a resting-place for many of the area's earliest settlers. Open for Roman Catholic mass every Sunday. From Santa Maria take Betteravia Road east to Highway 176 through Sisquoc to Foxen Canyon Road, then go 3 miles to the chapel. For more information, call (805) 937-4555 www.sanramonchapel.org/.
• La Purisima Mission Historic State Park. Of the 21 Franciscan Missions in California, this is one of the three preserved within the State Park system. All the major buildings have been rebuilt and furnished as they were at the mission's zenith in 1820. La Purisima is located near Lompoc on Highway 246, 23 miles southwest of Santa Maria. There is an entry fee of $2.00 per private vehicle; buses are $20. Tour information: (805) 733-1303. Park information: (805) 733-3713 or http://www.lapurisimamission.org/.
• Mission Santa Inez. Established in 1804 as the 19th California Mission, Santa Inez sits in splendor with hand painted murals by Indian artists as well as priceless works of European art and sculptures. Enjoy the beautiful garden or visit the resting place of Indians and early California settlers of Spanish, German, Irish, and Portuguese descent. This mission is located 38 miles south of Santa Maria. Admission is $3. Children 12 and under are free. For more information call (805) 688-4815 or visit http://www.missionsantaines.org/home.html.
• Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa. Visit the Old Padre Quarter or see such artifacts such as Chumash Indian vessels, religious vestments and the original Mission Altar. This mission is located 34 miles north of Santa Maria in San Luis Obispo. Admission is free. For more information, call (805) 546-6850 or visit http://www.missionsanluisobispo.org/.
• Santa Maria Museum of Flight. Wander through this large museum featuring World War II and present-day displays of aircraft and artifacts. The museum is open Friday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $5 adults; $4 seniors; $3 kids 12-18; $1 kids 6-12. Group tours available, call to schedule at (805) 922-8758. For more information, visit http://smmof.org/.
• The Natural History Museum. Kids of all ages will enjoy this museum featuring rock and fossil exhibits from the area, native bird displays, a bat-room, an interactive work station for further exploration, and a touch table featuring rocks, shells and other surprises to play with. See an extensive shell collection from the area too. Admission is free. Located at 412 South McClelland, Santa Maria. Hours: Wednesday 12-3p.m.; Saturdays 11-4p.m., and by appointment. Call (805) 614-0806 for more information or visit www.sbnature.org/.
• Santa Maria Valley Historical Society Museum. For a glimpse into the history of Santa Maria and the people who settled here, visit the Santa Maria Valley Historical Museum. The museum preserves the history and nostalgia of the city with pictures, artifacts, and valley memorabilia. Ask about the Historic Walking Tours. Admission is free. Located at 616 South Broadway, Santa Maria. For more information call (805) 922-3130 or visit www.santamariahistory.org/.
• Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum. This hands-on museum offers a chance for children to learn while they play. Explore a wide range of interactive exhibits which include Toddler Territory, Fun House mirrors, a puppet theater, undersea tunnel and much more. Call for the schedule of special events including fun Make & Take Activities. General admission is $7. Children 2 and under $1. The museum is located at 321 Town Center West, Santa Maria. The museum is open Tuesday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Wednesday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. For more information call (805) 928-8414 or visit www.smvdiscoverymuseum.org/.
• Santa Maria Valley Railway Historical Museum. The Santa Maria Valley Railway Historical Museum, founded as a non-profit, educational museum, is dedicated to the preservation of the railroad heritage of California, the Central Coast, and the Santa Maria Valley. Admission is free. The Museum is located in the Santa Maria Town Center, corner of East Main Street and Broadway, on the upper level across from Robinsons May. For more information, call (805) 937-5438 or visit www.smvrhm.org/.
• Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum. For the avid collector or just the curious, the museum displays vintage motorcycles covering all interests, from a 1906 FN to a 1979 Honda CBX, and also includes one of the four factory Vincent Grey Flashes entered in the 1950 Isle of Man TT race. Admission is $5 per person, and children under 10 are free with a parent or guardian. Located at 320 Alisal Road, Solvang. For more information call (805) 686-9522 or visit www.motosolvang.com/.  [Top]