For the housing of guests the city is eminently fitted. Not only are 

 there many boarding-houses of superior excellence, and several good hotels 

 of moderate size, but the city is especially noted as possessing one of the 

 finest tourist hotels on the Pacific Coast, the "Potter," which has accom- 

 modations for a thousand guests and is open winter and summer. The 

 Arlington, our pioneer tourist hotel, has accommodations for five hundred 

 guests, and is most conveniently located. 



The east-and-west trend of the southern coast of Santa Barbara County 

 has much to do with the peerless climate of this favored shore. It gives 

 a full southern exposure to the sun, which from rising to setting shines 

 directly into the valley. So lies this valley, basking in the sun and walled 

 on the north by a mountain range nearly four thousand feet high. The 

 Santa Barbara Channel, twenty-five miles wide and seventy miles long, 

 washes the whole length of this sun-kissed shore. Here is found the most 

 placid stretch of salt-water of equal size on the globe. 



During the last ten years the thermometer registered above 80 degrees 

 on 230 days, or an average of but twenty-three days in the year; the num- 

 ber of days above 90 degrees was but fourteen in the ten years, or a frac- 

 tion over one day per year. The warmest night in ten years was 67 degrees, 

 and there were but two of these. The average velocity of the wind is three 

 and one-half miles per hour. Low humidity and low wind-movement have 

 much to do with the delightful balminess of the winter air. The sunshine 

 record of Santa Barbara shows 240 clear days per year, 65 partially cloudy, 

 and 60 cloudy. While the average rainfall is seventeen inches, the number 

 of days upon which rain falls is but thirty-two. 



The close proximity of the mountains to the sea causes a commingling 

 of the dry atmosphere of the elevated regions with the moister airs from 

 the ocean, producing a combination in which the best elements of each 

 are preserved. It is difficult to define the peculiar charm of this peerless 

 blend, and thus far it has quite baffled the investigations of observers. 



The bay of Santa Barbara is as noted for its beauty as that of famed 

 Naples, which it so much resembles. On this shore, where winter never 

 comes, the wavelets ripple like the waters of an inland lake. Craft of every 

 size from the tiny yacht to the ocean liner, may lie with perfect safety at 

 anchor in this bay, for here is the finest haven of the Western coast, a bay 

 without storm or bar. The bay opens to the wide Santa Barbara Channel. 

 The gentle breezes from its equable surface, the water of which shows a 

 difference of but ten degrees between January and August, serve to cool 

 in summer and warm in winter the shores of the valley its waters lave. 



The innumerable drives and trails in the vicinity of Santa Barbara are 

 a constant source of delight to the resident and visitor. These avenues 

 leading in every direction through the valley and foothill region, threading 

 the recesses of the many canons, climbing spur, crag, and peak, offer 

 endless trips of constantly changing interest. 



Here is found a gentle surf with a summer temperature of 68 to 74 

 degrees. Even in winter sea-bathing can be safely indulged in on any 

 pleasant day, the temperature of water only dropping to 60 degrees in 

 January. In addition, the famous bathing establishment Los Bancs del 

 Mar, than which there is nothing finer on the Pacific Coast, furnishes plunge 

 and tub-baths in salt-water warmed to any taste. 



Just across the channel from Santa Barbara and twenty-five miles away 

 are the island principalities of Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa, with Anacapa 

 and San Miguel forming part of the group. Yachts and launches ply across 

 the channel, and the wonders of the cave-pierced rock shores are ever 

 drawing parties of pleasure-seekers and sight-seers. Around these islands 

 are the best fishing-grounds on the coast of California, and the wonderful 

 flora of the submarine gardens are always an attraction to visitors. 



The popular field sports of golf, polo, tennis, baseball, etc., have numer- 

 ous devotees, and it has become a center of interest in all kinds of outdoor 

 recreation. Riding and driving are features of outdoor life for which this 

 place is justly noted. 



