March 5th, 2015 at 10:00 am
Southern Californians can dine outdoors at home pretty much all year long. But now more of us are skipping the back-and-forth trip between the indoor kitchen and the patio by adding another kitchen outside.
The concept isn’t new, but outdoor chefs now cook, grill and bake with the latest in all-weather products, from pizza ovens to chilled wine racks to steam-spraying cleaning brushes. Stainless-steel cabinets, standard-size refrigerators and freezers, gas ovens, marble countertops, trash compactors and, of course, the kitchen sink, have all made their way outside for good.
Regulations covering electrical, gas and water lines vary from city to city, so it’s smart to check with the permitting department or a licensed contractor before considering your own outdoor kitchen. Large home-improvement centers offer most of the components, which have become sturdier and often less expensive in recent years. They can be installed by do-it-yourselfers or professionals. Add a dining area, a second patio slab, and a roof to shield everything from the elements, and you’re really cookin’.
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March 4th, 2015 at 2:00 pm
What:
Buy local arts, crafts, gourmet artisan foods, and specialty products during Santa Barbara’s Local Artisan Market. Established in January 2013, the market is still going strong and strives to bring consumers a variety of local healthy, specialty, and old-fashioned foods that celebrate the Santa Barbara lifestyle. This weekly event is brought to you by Local Artisans of Santa Barbara.
Where:
Gladden & Sons
5342 Hollister Ave.
Santa Barbara, CA 93111
When:
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March 3rd, 2015 at 2:00 pm
What:
Coming to Earl Warren Showgrounds in March is the 2015 Santa Barbara International Orchid Show. This year marks its 70th anniversary and the theme is “Celebrate with Orchids.” This is one of the longest-running and largest annual orchid shows in the United States. Highlights of the three-day show include displays of exotic orchid species, thousands of blooming plants for sale, exhibitions of orchid-themed fine art and photography, free workshops, and a unique flower-arrangement and corsage exhibition.
Where:
Earl Warren Showground
3400 Calle Real
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
When:
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March 2nd, 2015 at 2:00 pm
What:
Explore the wonder of the world around us at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History’s Family Nature Day. Enjoy The Museum Backyard and Nature Club House for free, get your picture taken next to the life size 74-foot blue whale skeleton, and make memories that will last a lifetime.
Not only that, but you also can visit the Space Lab and Gladwin Planetarium, view the nature trail along Mission Creek, and discover the natural history of our beautiful region all at no charge!
Where:
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
2559 Puesta del Sol Road
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
When:
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February 27th, 2015 at 8:30 am
Finding the “best brunch” in any city depends a lot on your definition. Most food choices? Best price? Quality of ingredients? Overall dining experience?
As a top coastal visitor destination, Santa Barbara offers plenty of brunch choices. If it didn’t, travelers and locals alike would be heading elsewhere to satisfy their culinary cravings.
We’ve found three restaurants that serve at least one brunch a week in the charming city. Consider dining at one on your next visit, then vote with your palate on an online review site. There probably are more sites than restaurants, so check out the reviews before you commit your stomach to what should be a memorable meal.
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