Bonjour !

Now that Gabby has showed you how to choose the perfect Halloween costume, where should you go to show off your costume? The answer is Santa Barbara!

Ready to go out and celebrate Halloween

Every year, tens of thousands of students from all over California meet in Santa Barbara, more precisely in Isla Vista to celebrate Halloween. When I went in 2010, at least half of I-House went down to Santa Barbara. We rented many buses/cars and literally booked several floors at hotels/hostels. Most of the residents at Isla Vista are UC Santa Barbara students and it has become a tradition to fill the streets for Halloween. Santa Barbara is probably hosting one of the largest Halloween student parties in the country, it is a huge street party and it is a blast!

Cruising on a quadricycle along the beach

Now, Santa Barbara is not just about partying. During the day there are a lot of things to do as well. First, there is the beach. You can just take it easy, relax, and sunbathe. You can also walk on Stearns Wharf, the Santa Barbara pier that has many restaurants and shops. If you want to be a little more active, you can rent a quadricycle and cruise along the beach. It is a lot of fun!

Santa Barbara County Courthouse

Other attractions are the Santa Barbara Mission and the Santa Barbara County Courthouse. The Mission has gorgeous architecture and there is a rose garden. You can also visit the County Courthouse which has a beautiful murals and architecture, but the highlight of the Courthouse is the clock tower, which offers a fantastic 360° view of Santa Barbara. If you are in Santa Barbara, the Courthouse is a must-see.

Tip: on the way back I recommend driving on the Pacific Coast Highway, aka Highway 1. It is truly one of the most beautiful roads in the world and a destination in itself.