Santa Barbara County Visitor Industry Is Open For Business

Hotels and Attractions Unaffected by the Tea Fire, which is 100 Percent Contained

Santa Barbara, CA (Vocus) November 18, 2008 -- The Tea Fire (www.santabarbaraCA.com), which burned 1,940 acres in the hills of Montecito and Santa Barbara, is 100 percent contained and inflicted no damage to visitor infrastructure. There is no trace of smoke in the air in tourism areas; however an Air Quality Watch will remain in effect for a period of time for localized residential areas where ash and soot may be stirred up by vehicle traffic and higher winds. Several residential areas remained closed for safety reasons.

"Our hearts go out to the residents who lost their homes in the fire. We're grateful to all of the firefighters who worked so hard to contain this fire and keep our area safe for residents and visitors," said Kathy Janega-Dykes, president & CEO of the Santa Barbara Conference & Visitors Bureau and Film Commission. "Santa Barbara County is open for business. We're also thankful that visitors can safely enjoy our hotels and area attractions, including beaches, wineries, museums, historic sites, golf courses, nature preserves and much more."

No tourist attractions were damaged in the fire. 130 homes in Santa Barbara and 80 homes in Montecito were destroyed. Mount Calvary Monastery was destroyed, and the Westmont College campus sustained significant damage. Some roads remained closed in residential areas. Road closures, air quality and other Tea Fire Updates can be accessed via the Tea Fire link on www.santabarbaraCA.com.

Visitor Info

Santa Barbara--the American Riviera®--offers a captivating blend of history, distinctive architecture and Southern California lifestyle in a breathtaking setting of glorious palm-lined beaches, majestic mountain ranges and bucolic wine country. A city of white-washed buildings with red tile roofs tucked between the mountains and the sea, Santa Barbara resonates with an irresistibly sensuous and laid-back allure. Set on the Pacific with 100 miles of sweeping coastline, Santa Barbara and its environs lie just 92 miles north of Los Angeles and 332 miles south of San Francisco. Visitors may arrive via scenic Highway 101, daily stops on Amtrak or via air service to Santa Barbara Airport or Los Angeles International Airport. Santa Barbara County offers 168 diverse lodging options, ranging from deluxe resorts and stylish boutique hotels to romantic inns and rustic guest ranches. Visit www.santabarbaraCA.com for visitor information and Hot Deals.

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