San Diego – There is a lot going on at the world-famous San Diego Zoo. It is the first zoo in the United States to be featured on Street View in Google Maps. This allows visitors to virtually roam through a 360-degree ground-level view of the zoo. Go to Google Maps, type "San Diego Zoo" into the search field and drag the little yellow peg-man onto the aerial photo of the park. Also at the zoo, a new promotion encourages moms to bring their playgroup to enjoy the Mommy Meetup program that is free for children five and under (Note: paid admission is still required). Participants can enter the zoo early and enjoy a special one-hour program that includes a chance to meet some of the many unique zoo residents up close and personal. The animal theme changes each month and, in March, the focus is on orangutans. Mommy Meetup is offered Monday through Friday, beginning at 8:45 AM; check for details online at www.meetup.com and search for San Diego Zoo.

5-1-1 is the newest safety feature for San Diego drivers needing help. Instead of dialing 9-1-1 or using a highway call box, a motorist in trouble can pull over to a safe place, dial 5-1-1 and say “Roadside Assistance.” The system will direct the information to the Call Box Answer Center and then transfer to the California Highway Patrol, AAA or other appropriate sources of assistance. Log onto www.511sd.com to learn more about this free service for commuters, transit riders, carpoolers, visitors, etc.

Joshua Tree National Park - The Desert Institute has a complete schedule of weekend field classes for adults. Multiple courses are offered with themes including geology, cultural history, archeology, hiking, photography, painting, botany, pictographs and petroglyphs, wildflowers, poetry and the Native American presence in the region. Contact the Desert Institute at 1-760-367-5535 or online at www.joshuatree.org for further information.

Safe travels and enjoy the journey…

Howard Hian

www.Travels-with-Hian.com

Thanks to the various websites for information and photos. Please check details, dates, rates and availability; some restrictions may apply. Photo of the Joshua tree courtesy of Bill Chappell. Zoo photo courtesy of Reed Harper.

SANTA BARBARA GETAWAY-Fabulous Film Festival

25 year Jubilee Celebration

By Barbara Singer

It’s easy to fall in love with Santa Barbara, CA, each and everyday you find yourself there. The hunt for the hottest winter getaway culminates with Santa Barbara and the Santa Barbara International Film festival (SBIFF). Both exceed all expectations for an extraordinary experience. While the rest of the nation freezes, the sun is shining and the majority of the city locals and visitors go to the movies. I came for a SBIFF visit a few years ago and ended up moving here.

There’s no place like Santa Barbara to make California dreaming come true. The fabulous SBIFF is classic Hollywood in casual seaside elegance on the American Rivera. And this year was paradise found, it was the 25-year jubilee celebration. People came from all over the globe to this Santa Barbara movie haven and its non-stop celebration. It’s an amazing city, home to filmmakers, actors, artists, winemakers, entrepreneurs and more, all who enjoy upscale resort style living by the stunning Pacific Ocean.

I arrived downtown on State Street in the late afternoon of The Festival opening, posters in place and banners waving and the glittering marquee of the historic Arlington Theatre heralding the 25 year celebration for a festival that has been deemed world class. I joined the excited crowd on the red carpet and entered the theatre, where we were greet by SBIFF president Jeff Barbakow and welcomed by innovative festival director Roger Durling, who has the distinctive knack of choosing the films, tributes, interviews and events and bringing it all together with his staff. Original festival founder Phyllis DePicciotto reminisced on how it all happened 25 years ago. More to come was the opening movie, filmed in Santa Barbara county, Flying High from director Derek Magyar with the cast present. I had some time to chat with out-of-towners from New Jersey and Oregon and then it was on to the gala party; here local restaurants provided tasting and sponsor Chopin Vodka served their Festival Signature cocktails with plenty of music by local bands.

As an avid filmgoer, I tried to see at least three or more films a day as a part of the 10 Amazing Days and 11 Starry Nights and attend all the tributes. Luckily, I had screened all the films of the honorees prior to the SBIFF. This year Roger Durling invited 200 films from 45 countries,including features, documentaries, animations and shorts.

Fiesty and funny Academy Award winner Sandra Bullock was a Festival favorite accepting the American Rivera Award. When revolutionary filmmaker James Cameron (Avatar) was feted with the highest award Modern Master, his old friend former actor Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger unexpectedly appeared to tribute the man, whose recent film has passed the two billion revenue mark. Oscar fever was in the air for the honorees at The Festival with Academy Award winner Kathryn Bigalow (The Hurt Locker) as Best Director and Colin Firth (A Single Man); this timeless romantic actor charmed the crowd with his natural charisma, as he was honored for his Best Performance of the Year. My favorite film at The Festival was Chloe, I was pleased I had seen it the same day that its star Julianne Moore (A Single Man) was seated in my row prior to her acceptance of her Montecito Award; she warmly signed autographs for fans sitting nearby.

Two cherished moments of The Festival were Quentin Tarantino and movie film legend 93-year old Kirk Douglas following the screening of Posse in a head to head chat about their movie careers and new friendship. Valentine’s Day was an extra-special occasion it was a celebration of local resident and Academy Award winner Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart). It was Jeff Bridges Day in Santa Barbara with his films screened and Helene Schneider, Mayor of Santa Barbara presenting a City Proclamation to the past recipient of the Modern Master Award. The Festival ended with a new film Middle Men and a gala closing party with accolades to everyone, who made the 2010, 25-year celebration a huge success. The SBIFF is a definite reason to visit Santa Barbara.

If you are here, there are wonderful attractions that you should see. I took the Santa Barbara Tour Trolley at Stearns Wharf to stop by the must see spots like: the beautiful Santa Barbara Mission (Queen of the 21 California missions), the Zoo, Natural History Museum in the hills, the Art Museum, unique homes, the spectacular Court House & Sunken Gardens and seaside wonders. This tour allows off and on privileges for lingering and photos.

Shopping: It’s quick stroll to boutique beat on State Street, plus the fabulous Paseo Nuevo outdoor shopping mall. 

Fine Dining: I wanted to dine well right near The Festival theaters and my choices were outstanding:

Blue Agave (20 E. Cota) 805-899-4694

We like the cozy ambiance and opted to dine downstairs in the rustic intimate setting.

The cocktails and martinis were innovative. There were plenty of pizza and dim sum and tapas. We enjoyed the Calamari appetizers; Fresh Wild salmon & Pan roasted Crusted Chicken Breast. This was a great place to dine.

Pierre La Fond Wine Bistro (516 State St.) 805-962-1455

We favored this spot right on State Street for al fresco dining and enjoyed the attentive service. I discovered the best Steamed Mussels that I have ever tasted with a remarkable sauce. I will long remember the homemade flat bread and was pleased with my Seared Halibut entrée. My friend raved about her Pan Fried Crab cakes and Braised Lamb Shanks. We especially enjoyed 2007 Sauvignon Blanc wine from Pierre La Fond’s

Santa Barbara Winery. I will be back!

You don’t have to drive to the Central Coast wineries to enjoy great wines; in Santa Barbara, you can stop by to 11 wineries on foot for tasting, sipping and meeting winemakers down by the waterfront I am partial to the wines at the Santa Barbara Winery and indulged in wine and chocolate parings on Valentine’s Day. I found many Syrahs, I liked, these wines are popular in the area, at Carr Winery (Alchemy Syrah) and Kunin Wines (Alisos Vineyard Syrah). Wine tasting is a super way to meet and greet people.

Santa Barbara is a wonderful getaway and worth the visit for every reason, especially the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

Find out more information at: santabarbaraCA.com or call the Santa Barbara Conference & Visitors Bureau at 805-966-9222. Santa Barbara International Film Festival at SBIFF.org.

Story & photos by Barbara Singer, International Travel & Entertainment Writer,who lives in Los Angeles & Santa Barbara

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