Page 42 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL SPRING 2021 REDISCOVERING CALIFORNIA'S CENTRAL COAST

Stearn’s Wharf
During our brief stay in Santa Barbara, we en-
joyed heading out on foot to explore its high-
lights - the harbor with magnificent views of sea
and sand, the historic downtown and the aptly
named Funk Zone bursting with shops, dining,
breweries and bars. All were in easy reach of our
hotel, the elegant Californian.
After checking in, we walked a few short
blocks to one of the West Coast’s most impres-
sive piers, Stearns Wharf. This iconic landmark
completed in 1872 is California’s oldest working
wharf, a West Coast terminal for passenger and
freight ships. A visit here is a great way to soak
up the sun, shop for souvenirs, savor fresh
seafood and people watch.
The wharf allows fishing, with gear available to
rent if you feel the urge. Besides three full-ser-
vice restaurants, there’s a tasting room where
you can try local wines while enjoying stunning
coastline vistas. The Santa Barbara Museum of
Natural History Sea Center, where kids of all
ages learn about the marine life beneath the
Wharf, unfortunately, was closed, but will be a
must stop on a return visit.

42 WINE DINE & TRAVEL MAGAZINE 2021