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Carpinteria's splendid natural setting and small town charm remain relatively undiscovered. Yet visitors who spend time in this peaceful seaside city, located in the fertile Carpinteria Valley just 12 miles south of Santa Barbara, have a way of returning year after year.
They come to soak up sunshine at the beach, or simply to enjoy the small town pleasures of Carpinteria, where tree-shaded streets, parades and craft shows evoke a gentle way of life.
Carpinteria is home to a world-renowned surfing area at Rincon Point, and a beautiful swimming beach. Over 800,000 visitors come annually to swim, picnic, fish and hike at Carpinteria State Beach Park (www.parks.ca.gov). Encompassing wooded groves and 4,000 feet of ocean frontage, the park offers overnight camping and the best surf-fishing and tide-pooling for miles around.
Dozens of antique stores, small shops and restaurants are clustered along the main streets of Carpinteria, making the Area a browser's paradise. Shoppers can sample prime fruit, vegetables and flowers - bounty from the surrounding hillsides - and chat with local growers at the weekly Carpinteria Farmers Market.
Once a year, the town's normally peaceful streets turn into a midway of adventure during the rollicking California Avocado Festival, an October spectacle devoted to good eating and family fun. Those in search of quieter pleasures can bike tranquil mountain roads, enjoy Sunday matches at the scenic Santa Barbara Polo Club, or stroll through the excellent Carpinteria Valley Museum of History.
Nature smiles kindly on the Carpinteria Valley, where fruit trees blanket the hillsides, sandy beaches stretch in the sun, and daytime temperatures range between 60 and 80 degrees. A variety of motels, quaint bed and breakfasts, and fully-furnished beachfront rentals welcome visitors to the Valley year round.
SB Polo & Racquet Club
The historic Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club serves as location to many social and charity events, often with polo as part of the celebration. Complete equestrian facilities are maintained along with the Tennis Club offering tennis courts, heated pool, jacuzzi, locker rooms, tennis clubhouse and fitness center. Call (805) 684-6683.
Sante Pilates Studio
Enjoy individual or small group Pilates classes in a peaceful and private setting. Some of the benefits include increased core muscle strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, and improved posture. Located at 5320-F Carpinteria Ave., the studio is open Monday through Saturday by appointment. For information on rates and classes please visit santepilates.com or call (805) 745-5800.
Personal Strength
Sandra Pereira, personal trainer/fitness instructor and Tanya Loken, life-guide/hypnotherapist, have a studio located at 5320-F Carpinteria Ave., called Personal Strength. "Fitness from the inside out" is the way to optimal health, and is why we feel our partnership "the merging of body and mind" is so important to our client's ability to achieve long term success. Contact us at (805) 745-5800, personalstrengthonline.com
Taste Award Winning Beers
Family-owned, Island Brewing Company offers friendly service, a relaxing atmosphere and breathtaking ocean and island views. With everything from crisp blonde beers, to rich dark stouts, Island Brewing welcomes all tasters! The award-winning beers by Brew Master Paul Wright have a wide range of special blends, offering something for everybody to enjoy. Stop by the brewery any day of the week or ask for one of his beers, when you dine out. islandbrewing.com
Channel Island Masters Swim
(CIM) is a registered United States Masters Swimming (USMS) Club providing an enjoyable and challenging swimming experience for all ages. Workouts include coached sessions, technical analysis, videotaping and are currently held at the Carpinteria Pool & Montecito YMCA. For information and schedules, go to channelislandmasters.blogspot.com
Carpinteria Community Pool
Love to swim? The Carpinteria Community Swimming Pool located at the corner of Carpinteria and Palm Avenues offers constant 80 degree water for lap swimming, aqua aerobics, masters, recreational swimming and swim lessons. Competitive swim meets utilize the facility offering a great place to enjoy a day in the Carpinteria sun. (805) 566-2417
Carpinteria Valley Museum of History
The Carpinteria Valley Museum of History is located at 956 Maple Avenue in downtown Carpinteria. The museum, which opened in 1970, collects, preserves, interprets and exhibits local history housed in a warm and friendly environment. In addition to historical items, there is a gift shop offering handcrafted items of local interest. carpinteriahistoricalmuseum.org
Chocolats du CaliBressan
Jill-Marie and Jean-Michel came back to California from Burgundy, France to open up their chocolate boutique in Carpinteria. Jean-Michel is now concentrating on creating his chocolate truffles and bonbons. Try one, "compliments of the house." Chocolate tour & tastings - 2nd & 4th Thursday of each month ... a glass of champagne offered. $20/person. 4193 Carpinteria Ave, Suite 4. Call (805) 684-6900 for details or visit chococalibressan.com
Seaside Gardens
Four acres of an "around-the-world" tour through spectacular gardens exhibiting a worldwide collection of plant life in natural settings. Gardens include Asian, Australian, California Native, Cottage/Perennial, Grassland, Native Wetlands Bioswale, South African, and Succulent. A well-stocked garden shop and retail nursery offer everything for gardening and landscaping needs and first hand growing advice is free. 3700 Via Real; (805) 684-6001 seaside-gardens.com
Robitaille's Fine Candies
For the past 40 years Robitaille'ss has provided the most delicious hand crafted candy along the south coast. Generations of Carpinterians know that on mid week afternoons they will find the store's candy maker hard at work producing the yummy fudge, mints, taffy and more. If you are looking for something special to give as a gift or a tasty goody for yourself, stop into their store at 900 Linden Ave. Call 684-9340 for seasonal store hours or visit robitaillescandies.com
Coastal View News
Relax and enjoy reading the local community newspaper where you'll catch up on all the latest Carpinteria news and happenings. Available in their news racks around town and many local businesses. coastalview.com
Seaside Shuttle
It's easy to catch and fun to ride! It is clean, quiet, frequent and comfortable and 100% electric. Hop on the Seaside Shuttle at a stop near you (just look for a Seaside Shuttle sign). The shuttle travels by the Carpinteria Salt March Nature Park, through downtown, across Highway 101 on Casitas Pass Road, by El Carro Park and back over Highway 101 on Santa Ynez Road. It's a nominal fee and a great overview of beautiful Carpinteria. And, it's only 25 cents for a one way ride. If you're connecting to the MTD Line 20 or 21x, simply pay the regular MTD bus fare and ask your Seaside Shuttle driver for a transfer. Shuttle schedule/route cards are available at the chamber office or sbmtd.gov
Tee Time
Get some fresh air, sunshine and exercise! Enjoy their re-landscaped landing area and chipping greens. Hit unlimited buckets of balls by the hour. They offer individual or group golf lessons, monthly passes, punch cards, a buddy system and gift certificates. 5858 Carpinteria Ave. (805) 566-9948
Curves Carpinteria
Curves provides a complete cardio and strength training workout in just 30 minutes. Fast, Fun, Affordable Fitness - Designed for women of all ages. The circuit is made up of resistance machines that work every major muscle group, two muscles at a time so you get an efficient and effective workout every visit. Curves is the unique 30-minute fitness and common sense weight loss program. Whether your goal is to lose weight or to increase your strength or both, Curves is the right choice for you!
Kayaking
The ocean off the Carpinteria beach is so tempting. Why not grab a kayak, a paddle and a lifejacket and get out there! The City runs instructional classes during the week in the summer. Paddle out only a quarter of a mile and discover a shallow rocky reef. Watch out for seals, dolphins, whales and other sea animals. Kayaking is a comfortable way to view sea life and get some exercise. kayaksb.com
Carpinteria Jr.
Lifeguard Program One of Carpinteria�s favorite summer programs is the Junior Lifeguard Program. This is a fun, physically demanding, hands-on program providing participants ages 9-17 with fitness training, knowledge and respect for the ocean and its surrounding environment. This nation-wide program teaches basic lifeguard skills, CPR, first aid and marine ecology. carpinteria.ca.us
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