At the Stow House and Railroad Museum, you have an opportunity unlike never before to visit the early settlements of this area. It is often hard to wrap your head around the incredible history of this area; this one of a kind museum makes this feat easier than ever! The Stow House is found just a bit to the north of the center of Santa Barbara off of the 101. See the culture of this incredible city as never before at the Stow House and Railroad Museum!
The Stow House in Santa Barbara was completed in 1872 by a man named William Stow. It was the centerpiece of a ranch that spanned over 1,000 acres of some of the most beautiful area you can find in all of the Santa Barbara area. Long after its initial use, it is home to towering trees and beautiful gardens. Today, the house serves as a Santa Barbara railroad museum where you can view multitudes of items from the period, like clothing, art, toys, and much more. There are also countless trains, from carts to engines, all of which will give you a massive appreciation for the history of this integral mode of transportation. You will also find a wide variety of wildlife, including birds and bobcats.
A tour through the grounds is an experience that you will not want to miss out on. Casual walks through the massive lemon orchard and along the historic train tracks offer a perspective into the area's past unlike any other. Besides the amazing historical value that you will find throughout the park, you will also find an incredibly beautiful landscape to enjoy. One of the visitors' favorites is the trail network that surrounds Lake Los Carneros. The amazing scenic value of the area makes it the perfect place to gather for a wide array of events like the annual Fiddlers Convention.
If you love history, then you will love the time you spend here, but it is not just history that makes The Stow House Santa Barbara Railroad Museum special. This place's moniker as a museum is quite misleading, as it is so much more. This area provides the perfect blend of natural beauty, history, and of course, trains, all wrapped into one lovely package. If you are planning your next vacation to Santa Barbara, you should make room in your itinerary for a visit to this one of a kind place.
Photo By Ben Brooksbank, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12356615
