Pierre LaFond

This upscale deli grocery in Montecito is a wonderful place to stop for a bite of lunch and do a little shopping. Two unique dress shops next door will satisfy a California ladies clothes obsession. Upstairs features Santa Barbara easy living style home accessories anyone would love to receive as a gift.

Montecito Shopping

Stellar Fireworks?

Try something out of this world! NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day.

http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/archivepix.html

Rods and Roses

It's an unlikely combination but beautiful classic cars and beautiful flowers do go together very nicely. There are also crafts and food for sale. Linden Avenue in Carpinteria is shut down and the most common site (next to cars and roses, of course) is neighbors meeting over (or under) open hoods and a bouquet of flowers.

http://www.carpinteria.com/events/vintage_car_show/

Solstice Parade

Don't miss the annual Summer Solstice Parade which takes place in Santa Barbara along State Street. Local artists, musicians, dance groups and float makers team up to make this a happening June event. The parade ends at Alameda Park with food vendors, souvenir booths and floats on display.

http://www.solsticeparade.com/index.php/photo_gallery

http://www.noozhawk.com/multimedia/article/062511_santa_barbara_summer_solstice_2011/?order=17

Carpinteria Salt Marsh Nature Park

This 230-acre reserve is one of the only places left where the land meets the ocean, providing an essential environment for numerous plants and wildlife. The Carpinteria Salt Marsh is one of the largest and most ecologically important coastal estuaries in California. Over 35 species of fish have been reported from the marsh, including the Leopard Shark, Diamond Turbot and the Longjaw Mudsucker. Waterfowl such as the Snowy Egret, Osprey and Horned Grebe also make use of this habitat. Level walking trails allow people to easily visit and learn about the coastal environment.

http://www.carpinteriacoast.com/salt_marsh.html

Hot Sulphur Springs

My first Hairflipp!
Getting Poison Oak was worth it.

Natural aqua blue hot springs in a beautiful canyon less than a mile off U.S. Highway 101 at Lompoc Exit (North Santa Barbara County). A short trail takes you to this sulphur hot springs which provides a great soak while lush vegetation makes you feel like you’re in a jungle. The Palm tree at water's edge was supposedly planted by Jim Morrison of the Doors. Truth or Fiction? You decide. Beware of poison oak along the trail. Water temperature can be near 90 degrees but varies with the season. The spring is only open during daylight hours as the parking lot closes at dusk.

Read more at Trails.com: Gaviota State Park (Las Cruces) Hot Spring