Santa Barbara is located about 90 miles North of Los Angeles, along the Pacific coast. This stretch of coast of Santa Barbara is often referred to as the "American Riviera" because its geography and Mediterranean climate are reminiscent of the French and Italian Riviera.

The view of the harbor is spectacular, breathtaking so to speak. The mountains rise dramatically behind the city. Some of them resemble the "morne l'hopital" overlooking our capital Port-au-Prince. Sometimes, it snows on the mountains, but it rarely stays for more than a few days. Not too far from the town and adjacent to the "Mission Santa Barbara" there is a mountain known as the "Riviera". On the skirt of that mountain there is a small town called MONTECITO.

Montecito is among the wealthiest communities in the US and is home to many celebrities. It is located just a few miles of Santa Barbara. There are some really really beautiful & expensive homes. Lots of celebrities live there: among them Bruce Johnston, Oprah Winfrey , Carol Burnett, Jonathan Winters,Steve Martin, Tab Hunter, John Cleese, Jimmy Connor, Steven Spielberg, Kevin Costner, Kirk Douglas, Dennis Miller, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Bob Gale, Ty Warner (billionaire toy entrepreneur, "Beanie Babies") just to name a few.
On some of Montecito's road are planted very very tall trees; as one is driving, one can see the bark of those trees peeling and that gives a very very sweet - fresh (comme un jasmin) fragrance the town. I believe they were imported from Australia.

Many artists make Santa Barbara their home (and of course I can understand that). "The Santa Barbara Museum of Art est très très jolie". It's worth the visit.

Other art venues are "the University Art Museum" which is on the UCSB campus. There are several private galleries, and a wide variety of art and photo shows.

The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History is located immediately behind the Santa Barbara Mission in a complex of Mission-style buildings set in a park-like campus. (you will see a picture of that church). The museum offers indoor exhibits and a state-of-the-art planetarium. (très jolie).There is also "The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum located near the Harbor.

Santa Barbara is simply a beautiful place. A nice place to retire. Enjoy these beautiful pictures and make this place your next vacation stop. You will not regret it.