Santa Barbara is back to business
Tourism chiefs in Santa Barbara say it’s back to business following the closure of Highway 101 and the tragic Montecito mudslides.
They say with the highway now re-opened and the recovery well underway, visitors should return to the area to help local businesses.
They outlined a number of new developments, including the newly-opened Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation (MOXI).
Also new is Hotel Californian (pictured here), a luxury resort spanning three city blocks, plus two other new hotels – the Hilton Garden Inn and The Residence Inn Santa Barbara Goleta by Marriott.
"We are heartbroken for the families, neighbours and businesses in Montecito impacted by the recent tragedy," said Kathy Janega-Dykes, president/CEO of Visit Santa Barbara.
"We are deeply thankful to the first responders and clean-up crews for all they did to protect and help the community recover.
"Thankfully, the cities of Santa Barbara and Goleta were not in the environmental impact zone, although the temporary highway closure did have a negative effect on local businesses.
"However, our community spirit is stronger and more resilient than ever. One of the best ways for visitors to support the Santa Barbara South Coast is through their patronage of local businesses, restaurants, and shops. Now is a remarkable time of year to visit."
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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