Santa Barbara’s Parade of Lights 2012

We love sharing our favorite things to do in Santa Barbara, and a day on the waterfront is always high on our list. Between the stunning sight of our beaches stretching out along the coast, biking along palm-tree lined Cabrillo Boulevard, exploring the many shops and eateries on Stearns Wharf and at the Santa Barbara Harbor, and taking a stroll through Chase Palm Park, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the waterfront every day.

Santa Barbara’s attractive Mediterranean climate is perfect for enjoying outdoor activities year round and is a part of what makes Santa Barbara real estate so valuable and highly sought-after. While most of these activities are best enjoyed under the warm California sunshine, on Sunday December 9^th, a special event is taking place after the sun sets at the Santa Barbara Harbor – The 27^th Annual Santa Barbara Parade of Lights.

The Santa Barbara Parade of Lights takes place on the water, setting it apart from other typical holiday parades. Participants will be navigating extravagantly decorated boats decked with lights and other creative displays to celebrate this year’s theme of “Starry, Starry Night” in the waters of the Santa Barbara Harbor. At the end of the boat parade, a fireworks show will follow to light up the night sky above.

Although the boat parade doesn’t start until 5:30pm, after sundown, there will be plenty to do before the Parade of Lights. Starting at 3:00pm on the City Pier, explore the Santa’s Village event, which will feature holiday music, a visit from Santa, and an incredible ten tons of snow!

There’s something wonderful to do in Santa Barbara every day, whether you’re searching for luxury homes and real estate with us, attending the many events, festivals, and celebrations that our city offers or simply taking in the natural beauty of the Riviera landscape. We hope you’ll be able to join us in your search for the best in Santa Barbara homes and real estate in our coastal paradise!

Santa Barbara’s Downtown Holiday Parade 2012 – A Diamond Holiday

Love the winter holidays but hate harsh winters? Owners of Santa Barbara real estate enjoy the best of both worlds! One of the great things about Santa Barbara is that we are south-facing, meaning we experience a year round, mild, Mediterranean climate very similar to the south coast of France, or the Amalfi coast of Italy. Owners of Santa Barbara homes are familiar with the benefits of our ideal climate and this is one of the many reasons we live here. While we may not experience the traditional charm of a snow-sprinkled landscape, we do take advantage of the opportunity to attend outdoor events year-round, such as the Downtown Holiday Parade this Friday, November 30th at 6:30pm along historic State Street in downtown Santa Barbara.

The Santa Barbara Downtown Holiday Parade is a time honored tradition in our city by the sea, held the week after Thanksgiving each year since the 1950s. It is Santa Barbara’s only night-time street parade, allowing the dazzling displays to light up the night. This year marks the 60^th year of the Santa Barbara Downtown Holiday Parade, and as such this year’s theme is “A Diamond Holiday.” With more than 50,000 Santa Barbara residents and guests expected to be in attendance, there will be no shortage of holiday cheer! The parade will include marching bands, holiday themed floats, giant balloons, an array of local performance groups, and much more. In addition, Olympic Gold Medalist Kami Craig will serve as Grand Marshal for the 2012 Santa Barbara Downtown Holiday Parade.

As we string the palm trees with lights and build sand castles for Santa Claus, there’s no question that we at Sterling Properties and Estates in Santa Barbara are already enjoying the holiday spirit! Contact us at Sterling Properties and Estates today to learn more about Santa Barbara, our climate, our neighborhoods, the current Santa Barbara real estate market and inventory, and how we can help you find your Santa Barbara dream home!