Mission Santa Barbara

Mission Santa Barbara is a Spanish Franciscan mission in Santa Barbara, California. It was founded on Decemeber 4, 1786 and names after the feast day of Saint Barbara, for the religious conversion of the indigenous local Chumash-Barbareño tribe.

The early missionaries built three different chapels during the first few years, each larger than the previous one. It was only after the great Santa Barbara Earthquake on December 21, 1812, which destroyed the existing buildings, that the construction on the current Mission was begun. It was completed and then dedicated in 1820. The towers were considerably damaged in the June 29, 1925 earthquake, but were subsequently rebuilt in 1927. The appearance of the inside of the church has not been altered significantly since 1820.

Mission Santa Ynez

Founded on September 17, 1804 by Father Estevan Tapis, the Mission Santa Ynez was named after Saint Agnes, an early Christian martyr of the fourth century. The Mission was home to the first learning institution in Alta California.

Ostrich Farm!

Welcome to Ostrich Land USA! Thirty minutes north of Santa Barbara lies a quaint Ostrich farm. The farm features a variety of ostriches and emus. Ostrich Land provides an interactive activity for students who want to get up close and personal with these fascinating birds. The highlight of the farm is feeding the ostriches and emus:










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Coppo's Group in San Francisco!

From the south to the north, the students have seen so much of California in only two short weeks! Laura Coppo's fantastic group had the pleasure of visiting one of California's historical and architectural gems. With Elizabeth as their tour guide, the group visited the famous City Hall, Lombard Street, Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, Union Square & Market Street. Not only did they take the Sausalito Ferry passing the historical jail/island of Alcatraz, they also dined at an authentic Italian restaurant in Little Italy were the students raved that the pizza was better than the pizza in Italy! The night finished with their stay at the classy Marriott hotel in the heart of downtown where the students enjoyed their memories of a wonderful day!

Beach Day!

Santa Barbara is famous for its sandy beaches and warm sunshine. Just a ten minute walk from English classes at Santa Barbara City College, students can enjoy Stern's Wharf. After class, we took a stroll along the waterside and ate lunch at Moby Dick Restaurant located on the pier.

Walking from SBCC to Stern's Wharf

Smile, you're in Santa Barbara!


Moby Dick Restaurant, Stern's Wharf, Santa Barbara

Ty Warner Sea Center

Today we went to the Ty Warner Sea Center in Santa Barbara. The students got to experience the shark tank, which holds swell sharks, horn sharks, thornback rays, and other related species native to the Santa Barbara Channel. These sharks are 12-inches long and friendly enough for the students to dip their hand into the frigid water to touch the sharks as they swim by.

We love the Ty Warner Sea Center!

Students were able to hold tide pool creatures such as starfish, sea anemones, sea cucumbers and more!

Octopus: The underwater "master of disguise" literally change its spots to avoid predators.

The seals are very "up close and personal" here in California!