Basking in a lush Mediterranean climate with 100 miles of prime Pacific coastline, a thriving arts community, historic architecture and scenic wine country, Santa Barbara offers all the components of a world-class destination -- without the masses.

Glistening palm-lined beaches, white-washed red tile adobes, wrought-iron embellishments, vibrant tilework and tranquil fountains in harmony with luxuriant vegetation -- these are the ingredients envisioned by poets, songwriters and novelists and the magnet that lures visitors to this seaside sanctuary, commonly referred to as the American Riviera�.

Santa Barbara sits on a unique east/west axis (the only stretch of land from Alaska to Cape Horn to do so), providing soothing southern exposure year-round. The region boasts a true Mediterranean climate, averaging 300 days of sunshine annually. The area's topographic setup is equally impressive, from the lush vineyards and valleys of Santa Ynez and Santa Maria to the rugged Channel Islands and celebrity-stocked shoreline of Montecito.

HUES IN HISTORY Early on, the region's soothing climate provided a prime stomping ground for the Chumash Indians, who were followed by the Portuguese, Spaniards and Franciscans, who later left their mark with the missions: Mission Santa Ines in Solvang, La Purisima Mission State Historic Park in Lompoc and the "Queen of the Missions," Mission Santa Barbara. Mexico stepped in for 24 years before Colonel John Fremont crowned Santa Barbara a U.S. territory in 1846.

In the early 1900s, Santa Barbara was the film capital of the world before the motion picture industry centralized in Hollywood. More than 1,200 movies (mostly Westerns) were made in a 10-year span and Santa Barbara became a favorite retreat for such legendary film stars as Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford and Charlie Chaplin. The area soon evolved into a haven for wealthy Easterners and hot spot for health-seekers lured by the city's curing mineral baths. At the turn of the century, luxury rail cars turned out the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, Carnegies and Duponts, followed by an artistic swell of painters, poets and authors that remain today.

Santa Barbara is home to 92,000 residents, yet exudes the warmth and relaxation of a small city, coupled with the major attractions and world-class accommodations of a metropolis. Pedestrian friendly with 70+ designated historic landmarks, an impressive line-up of performing arts venues, museums, galleries and restaurants, the area is a perfect vacation destination.

OUT AND ABOUT Santa Barbara's North County, just a 45-minute drive via Highway 154 or around the southern tip of Highway 101, offers a variety of excursions. Along the San Marcos Pass, Cachuma Lake Recreation Area is a fishing paradise with abundant trout, bass and catfish. The county park offers rental boats, picnic and camping sights, as well as seasonal wildlife and eagle tours.

Touring the vineyards of Santa Barbara wine country is always a tasty sojourn. Some 60+ wineries dot the inland region with 20,000 acres of planted vines. Warm days, cool nights and dry summers create excellent growing conditions, along with the east/west mountain chain which serves as a fan from the Pacific. The Santa Ynez and Santa Maria regions produce a variety of world-class wines, primarily pinot noir and chardonnay, a wonderful showing of syrahs and other Rhone varietals, as well as merlot, sauvignon blanc and riesling.

Tasting rooms and tours are plentiful throughout the region, as well as first-class restaurants and gourmet delicatessens to pack up a picnic. Throughout the year, concerts, dinners and harvest parties make visiting a savory experience. Key events include the annual Vintners' Festival in April and Celebration of Harvest each October.

Los Olivos, in Santa Barbara's vine-swept wine country, is a charming small town reminiscent of its days as a stagecoach stop. Many fine art galleries line the main street, offering a selection of both classic and contemporary works. Try the local tasting rooms, which offer a one-stop shopping fix on area wines. A 10-flight tasting of hard to find gems can be sampled at the Los Olivos Wine & Spirits Emporium located in an old shack-style building just outside of town. Other tasting rooms in town include Andrew Murray Vineyards, Kahn Winery and the Los Olivos Wine & Spirits Emporium.

Lompoc, famous for its 19 miles of spectacular flower fields is located 50 miles northwest of Santa Barbara. Flower tours and the annual Lompoc Valley Flower Festival, held in June, make for a fragrant visit. The city is also recognized for its many outdoor murals depicting the Chumash Indians, and nearby Vandenberg Air Force Base, which offers occasional tours of the rocket launch facilities..

Founded in 1910 by a group of Danish Americans, Solvang has retained a cultural identity that is undeniably Dane, with gas-lit street lamps, traditional windmills, old-world architecture, Scandinavian restaurants and fabulous bakeries. Solvang is also home to one of three stages of the acclaimed PCPA Theaterfest, which presents a variety of first-rate comedies, drama and musicals in the 700-seat alfresco theatre. The city also boasts a Vintage Motorcycle Museum with a permanent collection of 100 motorcycles and bicycles.

Nearby on Highway 246 is Ostrich Land, a 33-acre breeding farm with many a feathered friend roaming the countryside pens. The small road-side shop sells ostrich meat, fresh eggs -- which are equivalent to a 22-egg omelet -- and ostrich-style art. Also off Highway 246 on Alisal Road are two gems: the 10,000-acre Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort with 73 guest cottages, two championship golf courses and horseback riding facilities, and Nojoqui Park which sports a 100-ft. bridal veil waterfall and plenty of space for picnicking.

A city known for its agricultural roots, country charm and signature style barbecue, Santa Maria is home to the two other PCPA Theaterfest stages: the 450-seat Marian Theatre and 200-seat Severson Theatre. The area also lays claim to the Santa Maria Museum of Flight, as well as a calendar chock full of events, including the annual Elks Rodeo & Parade (June) and annual Santa Maria Valley Strawberry Festival (April).

Nearby is the agricultural town of Guadalupe, which boasts two natural wonders and true-to-form Mexican food. The expansive Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes and Oso Flaco Preserve, a 3.4-acre, 18-mile stretch of porcelain-colored coastal dunes, is the second largest in California. It is also the site of Cecil B. DeMille's original movie, "The Ten Commandments" (1923), where set props can be spotted poking out of the sand. At the far north end of the preserve, Oso Flaco hosts 18 species of rare, endangered plants and birds including the Least Tern and Snowy Plover. A mile-long boardwalk leads visitors across the natural lake to the sea.

Back along the Pacific Coast lie the sun-drenched cities of Carpinteria, Summerland, Montecito and Goleta. Remaining relatively undiscovered, the small town of Carpinteria, 12 miles south of Santa Barbara, boasts Carpinteria State Beach Park with 4,000 feet of beautiful ocean, overnight camping and the best surf fishing and tidepooling in the region. Also in this area are The Carpinteria Valley Museum of History, the picturesque Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club and the annual California Avocado Festival (October), which comes to town with plenty of avocado served every which way.

More than a dozen antique stores and small shops dot the main street in nearby Summerland, making the area a browser's paradise. Stop in for brunch at the famous Big Yellow House, visit the exotic bird menagerie or Pan's Garden for a plethora of plants and pottery. The Summerland Market is a well-known stop for intrepid travelers for home-made turkey sausages spiced with curry, sweet potato or sundried tomato.

Spanish for "little mountain," Montecito is an exclusive residential enclave framed with lush, exotic gardens and expansive estates. One of the area's favorite hideaways, the San Ysidro Ranch, set the stage for John and Jacqueline Kennedy's honeymoon. Nearby, the historic Four Seasons Biltmore hotel sits perched overlooking the Pacific.

At the foot of town lies the Montecito Inn, built by Charlie Chaplin to cater to Hollywood's elite. Just down the road is the Santa Barbara Zoological Gardens, a great stop for families featuring an impressive botanic garden and more than 500 animals from around the world, including 10 endangered species.

In town, Coast Village Road offers a quaint stretch of cafes, high-end boutiques and specialty shops. Just up Hot Springs Road lies a beautiful adobe church and nearby Casa del Herrero and ,b>Lotusland gardens (reservations required).

Sheltered at the base of the Santa Ynez mountains in the northern tip of Santa Barbara, Goleta is a sportspersons's paradise with a host of family recreational activities, including biking, bird watching along the Goleta Slough, and fishing from the pier or playing volleyball at Goleta Beach. Goleta is also home to the University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB) and crop of local surfers. The area's history is on display at South Coast Railroad Museum and at the restored Stow House.

FROM THE MOUNTAINS TO THE SEA A visit to one of Santa Barbara's nine beaches is a must, from the beautiful Butterfly Beach, set right along the bikepath in front of the Four Seasons Biltmore, to the surf-ripe Leadbetter Beach or West Beach offering calm swimming waters and a picture-perfect view of the Wharf. Nearby, Chase Palm Park on Cabrillo Boulevard features a 10-acre playland and perfect steam valve for kids with its beautifully-restored Antique Carousel, Shipwreck Playground -- complete with a turn-of-the-century schooner -- and meandering faux riverbeds for splashing up a storm.

A three-mile paved bikepath spans the waterfront from Leadbetter Beach to the Andree Clark Bird Refuge. The Goleta Bikeway delivers riders all the way out to the University of California Santa Barbara. Bicycles, roller skates, and family surreys (bicycles for six) can be rented on lower State Street.

The ocean is an expansive playground, offering every physical type of water sport including SCUBA diving, sailing, parasailing, whale watching, sunset cruising and kayaking. Boasting one of the largest sailing rental fleets worldwide, Santa Barbara answers every wannabe-sailor's dream, with vessels ranging from small craft to large yachts.

The Channel Islands National Park is easily accessible directly from Santa Barbara Harbor. Of the five islands, Santa Cruz Island, California's largest, makes for a great day trip. The Nature Conservancy offers tours of this unique ecological preserve. Multi-day tours are also available. The islands offer camping, hiking, kayaking, tidepooling and exploring the many rare plant and animal species, ancient pygmy sites and gentle coastal waters.

At the foot of State Street, Stearns Wharf welcomes visitors to the oldest working West Coast pier with fresh seafood restaurants, souvenir shops and wine tasting. Built in 1872, and now a Santa Barbara landmark, the wharf was once owned by Hollywood legend Jimmy Cagney and his brothers. For maritime buffs, steer into Santa Barbara Harbor for a visit to The Maritime Museum with its nautical displays and moored vintage boats.

Also nearby are a host of horseback riding ranches, including the Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort and Rancho Oso Riding Stables, which offers cabins, camping or an overnight stay in a covered wagon. The Circle Bar B Guest Ranch in Goleta offers daily trail rides as well as a lively stage production and overnight accommodations.

GREENS OF ALL TYPES Framing the beach is Santa Barbara's massive park system - nearly 50 in all. From tranquil groves to vast meadows, each park provides a perfect respite for picnics and relaxation.

The city's oldest and most stately, Alameda Park, is best known for its rare and near extinct trees and turn-of-the-century Victorian gazebo. Children designed the extensive "Kid's World" playground complete with a haunted castle and plenty of climbing structures. Insiders make it up the Riviera for expansive panoramas of the shoreline and ocean at Franceschi Park. This great site is complete with stone walkways that create a labyrinth through colorful flowers and shrubs surrounding the former estate of one of Santa Barbara's most prominent horticulturists. Other parks and gardens include the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, with native California flora, Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden and Mission Park Rose Garden, with 1,000 fragrant rose bushes.

Other "greens" also play well in Santa Barbara. The county sports eight championship golf courses, including the 72-par Rancho San Marcos, a Robert Trent Jones II course perched atop scenic Highway 154. Glen Annie Golf Club in Goleta adds 130 acres of prime green with commanding views of the Pacific. The Alisal Guest Ranch offers the River Course and Billy Bell-designed 72-par Ranch Course (guests only). Other area courses include the top-rated La Purisima Golf Course in Lompoc and Sandpiper Golf Course in Goleta, which is consistently rated among the top 25 public courses in the country (Golf Digest).

EVENING ADVENTURES As the sun sets, Santa Barbara sizzles with a multitude of clubs and restaurants offering live entertainment from soft jazz to R&B and beyond.

Country and Western is on tap at the Cold Spring Tavern, a 100 year-old stagecoach stop turned tavern atop San Marco Pass off of Highway 154. The restaurant next door features venison, buffalo and seasonal rattlesnake. Enjoy live country blues on Wednesdays and blue grass with a dose of rock on the weekends.

SoHO, a two-story restaurant/bar on State Street, is great for dancing and features salsa and rhythm and blues seven nights a week. Other popular venues include Left at Albuquerque for a first-class tequila menu (40+), Ruby's for great salsa bands and Zelo for disco beat. For billiards and brews, Q's Sushi a Go Go on lower State Street offers three floors of sushi-infused fun. Rocks, perched at the edge of Paseo Nuevo Shopping Mall, is a hot spot to dine on local fresh fish and then swing into the back room for live music ranging from local jazz to Julia Fordham.

Cocktail hour runs full speed at Joe's and Chad's, Santa Barbara institutions serving up stiff drinks to a vibrant crowd. Other great stops include the Blue Agave, which sports its namesake brew (tequila) in a variety of well-mixed venues, including a bar, an upstairs dining room and an alfresco cigar porch. Chad's and Epiphany are great happy hour scenes. Irish pubs also abound, including the James Joyce and Dargan's with a great billiards bar. Santa Barbara Brewing Company on State Street serves up a variety of micro-brews. For offbeat adventures, scout out Elsie's for a mixed crowd, or the Wildcat and Velvet Jones, complete with live dancers and the requisite pierced set. Late night haunts include Firebird, a cozy Moroccan-style wine bar and Absinthe for exquisite cocktails and a cool vibe.

CULINARY SPOTLIGHT Santa Barbara has been gaining plenty of culinary kudos for its inventive cuisine and fresh-from-the-farm focus. Local products, such as Santa Barbara spot prawns, Carpinteria squab, locally-bred ostrich, Santa Maria strawberries, Los Olivos mushrooms, freshly-grown avocados, lemons and locally-produced wines and olive oils lend to the area's culinary cash crop.

Classic, ethnic, contemporary-Californian and fusion foods are part and parcel of the Santa Barbara dining experience, with plenty of talent and imagination to back it up. Renowned chef Michel Richard sets the standard at the flavorful Citronelle; on State Street, John Downey of Downey's is turning heads with his sophisticated menu and is consistently voted the top restaurant by Zagat.

The good times roll every night at the Cajun-Caribbean Palace Grill, one of a trio of excellent choices just east of State Street on Cota Street. Next door, connoisseurs can catch a traditional cassoulet or garlic-infused escargot at Luck, a French bistro owned by Lucky jeans impressario Gene Montensano. On the same block, the Blue Agave offers a film noir atmosphere backed with an impressive menu scouting the globe.

Oak-grilled lobster and fresh catch of the day highlight the menu at Paradise Cafe, a casual alfresco restaurant with a strong local following. Brigitte's is one of Santa Barbara's hottest bistros featuring house-smoked salmon, gourmet pizza and a great wine list. On the Mesa, Alcazar hits a high note with local jazz and Spanish tapas. At the harbor, The Waterfront Grill and adjoining Endless Summer Bar-Cafe feature first-rate seafood with fabulous ocean-view settings.

The WINE CASK, located in historic El Paseo, is known for its fine dining and unsurpassed service. The restaurant's Wine Spectator Grand Award for its cellar is well deserved, with more than 2,000 local and imported gems. Other upscale eateries include bouchon santa barbara, with an extensive offering of local wines by the glass (40+) paired with fine Cal-French cuisine, and Sage & Onion with a strong Euro-American focus, including such hits as sweetcorn spoonbread with fois gras and hand-harvested diver scallops. Miro at the Bacara Resort and Spa offers fine dining in a stellar beachfront setting and a private wine cellar seating 30 for dinner. New in 2002 is Mondial, which offers public dining on Saturday evenings only. Another great pick is Tupelo Junction for a southern-style breakfast or fried green tomatoes.

For top-of-the line steaks and chops, Rodney's serves up USDA Prime in a warm, relaxing atmosphere. In Montecito, Lucky's has a foodie following for its porterhouse paired with cabernet sauce and enormous shrimp cocktails and Mollie's Trattoria is a favorite for home-made pasta. Other culinary greats include the romantic Emilio's overlooking the harbor, the exceedingly private Stonehouse Restaurant at the San Ysidro Ranch, La Marina, the fine dining room in the Four Seasons Biltmore hotel and the mountain top El Encanto Hotel restaurant, which serves an award-winning cioppino with an expansive Pacific view. Locals gravitate to Kevin Costner's Epiphany, tuck in for fine Italian at Olio et Limone and tango on down to Caf� Buenos Aires for true Argentinian barbeque set to live tango music in a refreshing alfresco patio.

For great Mexican fare, La Super-Rica on Milpas Street is a mandatory stop. A favorite of celebrity chef Julia Child, this small taqueria serves up fresh favorites while lines roll out the door. Julian's on Milpas is another great stop for top-of-the-line chile rellanos. There are also two Rose Cafes in Santa Barbara, long known for exceptional Mexican food and kicking salsa.

Roy, tucked just off State Street, is another tasty option with a reasonable prix-fixe menu and plenty of local character. Farther down State Street is Pascucci, an inexpensive Italian outpost with lots of bustling action and killer lasagna.

For traditional Scandanavian fare and world-class Danish, pop into Solvang, "The Danish Capital of America," in north county. This quaint village with windmills and bakeries gracing every corner is a ripe stop for travelers seeking a little sugar push. Nearby in Ballard, Cafe Chardonnay serves California cuisine with a flair. Cozy up to the crackling fireplace and delve into a perfectly-spiced ahi or the signature salmon-crusted in horseradish potatoes. The Vintage Room serves hearty wine country cuisine and local mike night every Thursday at the four-star Fess Parker's Wine Country Inn & Spa in Los Olivos.

New in 2002 is The Brothers at Mattei's Tavern in Los Olivos, a former stagecoach stop serving up classic wine country cuisine with ethereal sauces or The Hitching Post which serves up traditional Santa Maria-style barbeque and incredible house pinot noir with locations in Buellton and Casmalia.

Trattoria Grappolo in the historic western town of Santa Ynez is an Italian gem. For a jolt of authentic country fun, top off the evening at the old Maverick's Saloon next door. Tucked unassumingly in an Orcutt strip mall is Chef Rick's, a culinary hideout known only to those with demanding palates. Louisiana crawfish, barbecued lamb and his signature blackened halibut are just a few of the surprises.

SALES, BARGAINS & BEYOND Quaint courtyards, chic boutiques and modern malls merge together to create a shopper's paradise in Santa Barbara. Historic El Paseo, California's first shopping center, was built in the 1920s and features a variety of unique gift shops, galleries and restaurants nestled amongst romantic gardens and Spanish courtyards. La Arcada Court, a T-shaped Spanish paseo and courtyard on State Street spotlights a range of specialty stores and fine art. Paseo Nuevo, anchored by Nordstrom and Macy's, features a variety of boutiques, restaurants, fashionable clothing stores, gardening shops, live music and art galleries.

Santa Barbara's largest shopping mall is La Cumbre Plaza, which features major department stores, more than 60 shops, restaurants, services and plenty of free parking. Coast Village Road in Montecito boasts some of the most upscale shopping in Santa Barbara.

Three of Santa Barbara's home-grown retail stores are: Hayward's outdoor patio store featuring more than 60 different colors of custom designed umbrellas, Big Dog, a Santa Barbara-institution sporting casual leisure apparel, and The Territory Ahead, covering bases with rugged outdoor wear.

For bargain hunters, Santa Barbara offers an impressive selection of factory and studio outlet stores that include such familiar names as Santa Barbara Ceramic Design and Jandd Mountaineering. Bargain districts to explore include the beach area just a few blocks from Stearns Wharf, downtown State Street and lower Milpas and Salsipuedes Streets.

LUXURY TO BUDGET LODGINGS Throughout the county, Santa Barbara offers nearly 100 properties, ranging from deluxe to budget, including two youth hostels and 35 beachfront hotels. The city is also known for its historic B&B's, with 15 properties, including the historic Upham Hotel (1871), five-star Simpson House Inn, original Motel 6 and dozens of California Craftsman cottages just blocks from the beach. From the palatial landmark Four Seasons Biltmore (1927) to the expansive beachfront Bacara Resort and Spa and cozy Villa Rosa, the county covers all bases on lodging.

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Media Contact: Koleen Hamblin (805) 899-4193 link2koli@aol.com