Film Tours – From Scarface to Sideways, sleuth the settings made famous in films with a trek through Santa Barbara’s celluloid past. Get "ready for your close-up" Gloria Swanson-style (Mission Santa Barbara), take a Walk in the Clouds (Sunstone Winery) or round the track with Seabiscuit (La Purisima Mission). From the original film site of Return to Mayberry (Los Olivos) to the scream scenes of Friday the 13th (Zaca Lake), the free new Santa Barbara County Film Tour guide taps the new trend in film tourism. Three companies offer tours as well.

Culinary Jaunt - A hub for the haute gourmet, Santa Barbara County delivers a delicious slice of its agricultural and culinary roots via the new Get Fresh on the American Riviera^®: Savor the Flavors of Santa Barbara guide. Check out the local farmers markets, meet the purveyors, taste the local treasures. See free guide for details.

Beachside Bike Ride – Pick up a bike at the base of State Street and tool down the bikepath north to the historic Four Seasons Resort. Skater’s Park, Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara Harbor and André Clark Bird Refuge are along the way.

Urban Wine Trail - Armchair oenophiles can tap into the region’s award-winning wines with a quick trek around town. Key stops include Santa Barbara Winery, Cellar 205 Winery & Marketplace, Jaffurs Wine Cellars, Carr Winery, Stearns Wharf Vintners, Intermezzo and Friday tastings at East Beach Wine Company.

The Funk Zone – The “Funk Zone” is a mixed-use area east of State Street, between State and Garden and Yanonali and Mason, by the waterfront that used to be an industrial and manufacturing hub (19th century), and it’s now known for its eclectic mix of artists, surfboard shapers, skilled craft workers as well as locally-owned shops, art studios, galleries and wine tasting rooms.

Mission Santa Barbara – The “Queen of the Missions” offers docent and self-led tours; don’t miss the cemetery. (The Trolley stops at the Mission).

Santa Barbara Safari – Get in touch with your wild side with a day of play at the Coronado Butterfly Preserve, Ty Warner Sea Center, Ostrich Land, Quicksilver Horse Ranch, Carpinteria Tidepools, Carpinteria Seal Sanctuary, Salt Marsh Park and the Santa Barbara Zoo.

Grand Gardens – Santa Barbara is awash with world-class gardens, orchid farms and elaborately adorned estates. Check out Lotusland, Casa del Herrero, A.C. Postel Memorial Rose Gardens, Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens, Santa Barbara Orchid Estate, the flowering fields of Lompoc and Rose Story Farms.

Botanic Gardens – Tucked along scenic Mission Canyon is a 65-acre wonderland of native California flora. Guided tours at 2:00 p.m.; self-tours from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Red Tile Walking Tour – Visit the city’s spectacular architectural landmarks with an easy self-guided tour throughout downtown. Maps available and tour info in Visitors Guide, page 68.

Birding – Located along the Pacific Flyway, Santa Barbara County is one of the nation’s hot spots for birding. A perfect habitat for resident and migratory birds, Santa Barbara sports an enviable combination of salt water, coastal wetlands, freshwater marshes, coastal sage scrub, native grasslands, riparian woodlands, oak woodlands, chaparral and pine forests. Currently, 473 species of birds are accounted for in the county.

Summerland Sojourn – Summerland, the sleepy, artists’ haven just south of Santa Barbara, has come into its own in recent years and abounds with pleasure potential and retail treasures. Browse through high-end antique and home and garden shops or treat yourself to a relaxing or rejuvenating spa treatment at one of many day spas. Pick up lunch to-go at Café Luna and head over to Summerland Winery's tasting room for a tasting, or buy a bottle to enjoy with your lunch on the patio or at the beach. End your day with a walk at Summerland Beach, or simply sit and watch the colors of the sunset over the Pacific.

Brinkerhoff Avenue – Muse this colorful street lined with turn-of-the-century Victorians converted into antique galleries (between Cota, Haley and De la Vina streets).

Santa Barbara Maritime Museum – A unique cultural attraction sporting 7,800 square feet of interactive maritime-related exhibits and displays. Nearby, enjoy fine dining, kayak rentals and sailing excursions. The Lil’ Toot provides easy access to and from Santa Barbara Harbor and Stearns Wharf.

Stearns Wharf & Santa Barbara Harbor – Visit the West Coast’s oldest operating wharf. Enjoy stops at the Santa Barbara Shellfish Company, new Ty Warner Sea Center, winetasting, shopping and stunning views of the Pacific. Santa Barbara Harbor offers a true slice of the salt of the sea; enjoy casual and fine dining, billiards and brews or a leisure walk among thousands of crafts. Check out the haul of fresh fish at the market every Saturday morning.

Chase Palm Park – A 10-acre waterfront park dedicated to children. Visit the Antique Carousel, Shipwreck Playground, Great Meadow and prime Pacific view. Cabrillo Boulevard along the beach. Free live concerts every Thursday during the summer.

Museum of Natural History – Just above the Mission marked with a giant whale skeleton at the entrance this museum is an excellent stop for families with exhibits featuring mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and geology.

Golf – Santa Barbara is home to a variety of championship golf courses, including the Robert Trent Jones, Jr.-designed Rancho San Marcos, dual world-class courses at the Alisal Guest Ranch, oceanfront Sandpiper Golf Course, La Purisima and Glen Annie.

El Paseo – Visit California’s first shopping center, built in the 1920s (corner of State and De la Guerra Streets).

Paseo Nuevo – Set right in the heart of downtown on State Street, Paseo Nuevo offers a variety of upscale retail outlets, boutiques and restaurants.

Wine Country Excursion

Just over the San Marcos Pass lies a tasty sojourn into Santa Barbara’s lush wine country. Nearly 90 wineries are on tap for the avid enthusiast. Suggested stops and offbeat excursions:

Wine Trails – Chardonnay and pinot noir grapes are primarily grown, but it’s the syrahs and other Rhône varietals that are raising eyebrows among enthusiasts. Great treks include the Foxen Canyon Trail, Santa Ynez Wine Trail and Santa Rita Hills Region just off Santa Rosa Road. Jeep and biking tours abound. Vintners’ Association (800) 218-0881; www.sbcountywines.com.

Los Olivos/Santa Ynez – Los Olivos offers a slice of upscale western Americana with posh galleries, nearly 15 wine tasting rooms, upmarket restaurants, a world-class inn/spa and saddlery. Nearby, the “True Grit” town of Santa Ynez serves up real cowboys at the historic Maverick Saloon. Just down the road, the Chumash Casino Resort & Spa, off of Highway 246, offers gaming and entertainment.

Savor Solvang – This Danish town is a fun stop for traditional foods, architecture and more than 200 European-style shops and bakeries. Visit the Hans Christian Anderson Museum or PCPA Theaterfest for an alfresco play.

Los Alamos – This small town was a former stage coach stop and the main street still thrives with charm and character today. Visit the historic 1880 Union Hotel & Victorian Mansion, boutique wine tasting rooms, galleries, antique shops and the west coast home of American Flatbread, which opens as a restaurant on weekends.

Lompoc – Located 50 miles northwest of Santa Barbara, Lompoc is known for its rugged beaches, spectacular flower fields, the annual Lompoc Valley Flower Festival in June and the city’s many outdoor murals depicting local history. Suggested stops include La Purisima Mission State Historic Park, a self-guided mural tour, a Santa Rita Hills wine tour, Jalama State Beach and Ocean Beach.

Lavender Farms – The region is packed with lavender fields visit Andre Lavender Farms on Santa Rosa Road or farms in Santa Ynez and Los Olivos.

Animal Planet – Link the dots for a day of play with the animals of Santa Ynez Valley. Top picks include the Lompoc Horse Sanctuary, Little Orphan Hammies, Flying B Ranch, Alisal Guest Ranch Petting Zoo (guests only), Quicksilver Miniature Horse Farm and Ostrich Land.

Mission Madness – Step back in time via a visit to historic Mission Santa Ines in Solvang and La Purisima State Historic Park and mission and the wonderful flowering fields in nearby Lompoc.

Nojoqui Park – Enjoy a leisurely hike to the 100-ft. falls four miles from downtown Solvang. Pack a picnic and go! Off Highway 246 on Alisal Road.

Ostrich Land – Get up close and personal with fields full of feathered friends. Situated along Highway 246 near Solvang is a 33-acre ostrich breeding farm and souvenir shop.