Segways in Santa Barbara

National Geographic Traveler contributing editor Andrew Nelson, yet again, sends IT a dispatch from a destination we never even knew he was visiting. He writes:

Santa Barbara's famous for its Spanish mission. Today there's a Santa Barbaran with a mission of his own—wheeling travelers around the chic California colonial outpost on the two-wheeled electric, zero-emission scooters known as Segways. Jerry Mahoney and Trish Caron, owners of Segway of Santa Barbara, mainly sell the whiz-kid marvels, but they also have a profitable sideline offering tours to travelers. He operates from the company's headquarters, an old warehouse in a neighborhood called the Funk Zone—a collection of industrial-style buildings housing sculptors, skateboard makers, and surfing outfitters squeezed between Hwy 101 and the Pacific Ocean.

Before starting, participants must complete a mandatory 30-minute introduction and practice session on the vehicles. Learning to ride them is easy, especially the newest Segway called the i2, which features a more intuitive navigation. Helmets are also provided and are mandatory. Then, with Jerry leading your posse, roll out onto the city sidewalks for a two-and-a-half hour tour of Old Santa Barbara—curling with wrought iron, Moorish tile and red barrel-tiled roofs—before ending up at the Santa Barbara Courthouse and Sunken Gardens. There's a three-hour version that takes you up to the Mission itself. Unescorted tours, or "free glides" can be had too, but you must promise you'll stick to the coastal road. With its stunning views of the mountains behind and the blue Pacific before you, it's a promise you can surely keep. Afterwards, head over to Anacapa Street and the tasting rooms of Cellar 205 or the Santa Barbara Winery, both on the city's urban wine trail.

Comments

[Laura Kath]

For even more cool things to do WITHOUT a car in Santa Barbara, check out this website: www.SantaBarbaraCarFree.org
It's a community project with more than 100 partners committed to cleaner air and a healthier planet--AND has discounts on packages and activities, too.