| Carpinteria is a community nestled in a valley on the
Pacific Coast just 12 miles south of Santa Barbara. Breezing by on
Highway 101 between Los Angeles and San Francisco, travelers often aren't aware
there is much to see beyond Santa Claus Village shops which sit within
view of the road. For many years Santa Claus stood on Santa Claus Lane but has
been relocated to Oxnard and sits in neighborhood,
visible from the 101.
Chosen as one of the best beaches in the United States by Dr.
Beach, attributes that placed it on the list included the quality of the ocean
waters and the scenic beauty and easy access of its clean sand beaches.
Carpenteria has long enjoyed the best of
small city life, beaches and a semi-rural environment combined with access to
Los Angeles and nearby Santa Barbara, a cultural center for the region.
For guests staying in this seaside town, you may want to venture out to enjoy
the clubs, dining, plays and special events held regularly in Santa Barbara.
A public camping facility and beach, hotels, shops
and restaurants all make this a worthwhile visit for those who love the
small town atmosphere which the city's 20,000 residents proudly share with
passers by.
Explorer Captain Gaspar de Portola named the city
for a Spanish word which means "carpentry" after arriving and finding the
beach teaming with wooden boats. Chumash Indians who lived there when the
Spanish arrived knew the ocean shelf offered a gentle slope and mild waves
which made boating possible then and ocean activities inviting to families
today.
Local industries include flowers and farming and high
tech industries, to name a few. From flowers to food, to computer software
and goods, Carpinteria is a desired location to live and work and properties
tend to be higher than you would hope for if you are seeking bargains.
Average year-round temperatures range between 60 and 80
degrees and the sun shines nearly 300 days per year. A very popular State
Beach Camping facility right is located in Carpenteria. See the Carpinteria
Beach web page below for details on camping. For non-campers, there
are five hotels, motels and bed and breakfast facilities in town.
They are all conveniently located to Highway 101 and provide an interesting
alternative to Santa Barbara lodgings nearby. The town is more quiet and
relaxed and a bicycle ride here would be less hectic than busy Santa Barbara,
which we love, as well.
A fantastic alternative for a
relaxing weekend or vacation is to board an Amtrak train in Los Angeles,
San Diego or San Francisco. The train stop is located on Linden Avenue
near the beach. and shops are in close proximity. For more information and
schedules, visit amtrak.com
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