Weekend Getaway
Santa Barbara: More than Soap Opera
Terry Cumes, MBA1
Issue date: 5/5/03 Section: travel
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Despite the current rocky relationship between the US and Europe, there are still things about the US that impress Europeans. One is jazz. Everyone in Europe loves jazz and can name more Miles Davis songs than I. Another safe topic is film. Sure, Europeans hate Hollywood, but they love Woody Allen. The third, and most surprisingly, is Santa Barbara.
That's right. Whenever I'm in Europe and I mention I'm from Santa Barbara, I am immediately the recipient of admiration and envy - even from the French. Since I doubt Europeans pay homage to SB because it's the home of Ronald Reagan, I can only assume it's due to the eponymous 80's soap opera. Most of us have never even seen the soap, but we know it exists. The important thing to remember is that most of the televised world has grown up with this second-rate show.
So in honor of all the international students at the GSB, I want to invite you all to visit and explore my hometown. It's only 300 miles from Palo Alto. You don't even need to worry about printing a Yahoo map because it's a straight shot south on the 101.
Your scenic drive will take you past such historic sites as Gilroy (garlic capital of the free world), Salinas (birthplace of John Steinbeck), and King City (most expensive speeding tickets in California). In 4 hours (or 3.5 if you don't get pulled over in King City) you will be rewarded with a spectacular ocean view at Pismo Beach (if you are an MBA2 with only 6 units, I recommend driving down Highway 1 and stopping at Hearst Castle). From Pismo, it's only 1.5 hours to paradise.
The first thing you'll notice about Santa Barbara is that the ocean is to the south, not the west. The mountains are to the north and as you drive towards LA (another 1.5 hours) you will actually be heading east. Make sure to figure this out before you ask for directions. If you really want to act like a local, tell anybody who honks at you as you meander the streets aimlessly to "go back to LA!"
Why is Santa Barbara paradise? For one, there's free parking everywhere. Two, the university (UCSB) is home to the wildest parties north of San Diego State. There are of course tons of tourist attractions: Stearns Wharf, the colonial Spanish Mission and Courthouse, wine tasting in Santa Ynez, and fudge tasting in the Danish town of Solvang.
That's right. Whenever I'm in Europe and I mention I'm from Santa Barbara, I am immediately the recipient of admiration and envy - even from the French. Since I doubt Europeans pay homage to SB because it's the home of Ronald Reagan, I can only assume it's due to the eponymous 80's soap opera. Most of us have never even seen the soap, but we know it exists. The important thing to remember is that most of the televised world has grown up with this second-rate show.
So in honor of all the international students at the GSB, I want to invite you all to visit and explore my hometown. It's only 300 miles from Palo Alto. You don't even need to worry about printing a Yahoo map because it's a straight shot south on the 101.
Your scenic drive will take you past such historic sites as Gilroy (garlic capital of the free world), Salinas (birthplace of John Steinbeck), and King City (most expensive speeding tickets in California). In 4 hours (or 3.5 if you don't get pulled over in King City) you will be rewarded with a spectacular ocean view at Pismo Beach (if you are an MBA2 with only 6 units, I recommend driving down Highway 1 and stopping at Hearst Castle). From Pismo, it's only 1.5 hours to paradise.
The first thing you'll notice about Santa Barbara is that the ocean is to the south, not the west. The mountains are to the north and as you drive towards LA (another 1.5 hours) you will actually be heading east. Make sure to figure this out before you ask for directions. If you really want to act like a local, tell anybody who honks at you as you meander the streets aimlessly to "go back to LA!"
Why is Santa Barbara paradise? For one, there's free parking everywhere. Two, the university (UCSB) is home to the wildest parties north of San Diego State. There are of course tons of tourist attractions: Stearns Wharf, the colonial Spanish Mission and Courthouse, wine tasting in Santa Ynez, and fudge tasting in the Danish town of Solvang.