Cool breeze, warm sun and blue sea are what picture perfect is like for my Easter mini vacation with my family.

After 2 hour drive from Orange county, we got to the first spot of our adventure: The Moreton Bay Fig Tree!!!

Santa Barbara’s Moreton Bay Fig Treelocated in Santa Barbara, California is believed to be the largest Ficus macrophylla in the United States. The Oldest Pig tree in the USA started with a beautiful love story tale of boys meet girls…
A sailor, visiting Santa Barbara In 1876, presented a seedling of an Australian Moreton Bay Fig tree to a local girl who planted it at 201 State Street. After the girl moved away a year later, her girlfriend, Adeline Crabb, transplanted the tree to the corner of Montecito and Chapala streets, just a few blocks from the ocean, on land then owned by the Southern Pacific Transportation Company.The tree was officially designated as a historic landmark in 1970, and the property was deeded to the City of Santa Barbara in 1976. The tree has since been placed on the California Register of Big Trees. The roots are protected by a chain barrier the size of the canopy.In July 1997, the circumference of the tree, measured at a height of 4.5 feet (1.4 m) above the ground, was 41.5 feet (12.6 m). The average crown spread was 176 feet (54 m) and the total height was 80 feet (24 m). Measured in 2010, the widest spread of the branches is 198 feet (60 m). The trunkdiameter above the buttress roots is 12.5 feet (3.8 m).

Not everyone acknowledge the health benefit of figs until last few years.

Figs are a good source of potassium, a mineral that helps to control blood pressure. Since many people not only do not eat enough fruits and vegetables, but do consume high amounts of sodium as salt is frequently added to processed foods, they may be deficient in potassium. Low intake of potassium-rich foods, especially when coupled with a high intake of sodium, can lead to hypertension.

Figs are a good source of dietary fiber. Fiber and fiber-rich foods may give a sweet alternative option to lose a few pounds, while fig leaves can actually reduce the amount of insulin needed by persons with diabetes who require insulin injections. In one study, a liquid extract made from fig leaves was simply added to the breakfast of insulin-dependent diabetic subjects in order to produce this insulin-lowering effect. In animals study, fig leaves have been shown to lower levels of triglycerides (a form in which fats circulate in the bloodstream), while in in vitrostudies, fig leaves inhibited the growth of certain types of cancer cells.

This could be the most fascinating discovery yet for my mom who has family history of Breast cancer and also on the edge of muscular degeneration.

Results of a prospective study involving 51,823 postmenopausal women for an average of 8.3 years showed a 34% reduction in breast cancer risk for those consuming the most fruit fiber compared to those consuming the least. In addition, in the subgroup of women who had ever used hormone replacement, those consuming the most fiber, especially cereal fiber, had a 50% reduction in their risk of breast cancer compared to those consuming the least. Fruits richest in fiber include apples, dates, figs, pears and prunes. When choosing a high fiber cereal, look for whole grain cereals as they supply the most bran (a mere 1/3rd cup of bran contains about 14 grams of fiber).
Data reported in a study published in the Archives of Ophthalmology indicates that eating 3 or more servings of fruit per day may lower your risk of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), the primary cause of vision loss in older adults, by 36%, compared to persons who consume less than 1.5 servings of fruit daily.

A night walk through the State Street has brought a strong perspective on the city of culture and performing arts.
The beautifully restored Granada in the heart of Downtown Santa Barbara is a landmark theatre and year-round performing arts venue featuring some of the finest entertainment in the region. The Granada is home to Santa Barbara Symphony, State Street Ballet, Opera Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Choral Society and CAMA, and also features national and international events on tour presented by UCSB Arts & Lectures, as well as a new Broadway Series, and a variety of one-night-only performances in an array of genres. From classical to pop culture, The Granada is the city’s premier entertainment venue. Also available for conferences and corporate meetings, The Granada is the perfect space to host a variety of special events.

You got to try McConnell’s handmade Ice cream. They gave you ginormous “single” scoop of Eureka lemon Marionberries on chroocolate covered strawberry on a waffle cone. It’s definitely a must-try dessert.

The statue of Mozart Trio just top it off all amazing street performances I happily witness tonight.

Getting lost lead us to all the boat decks and so much more…

And this is one creative to ask for donation …I would never thought of that

The seals are so friendly, they came so close to the harbor deck and get to the water surface greeting their tourists. I with a wild mind, trying to greet the seals from one of those stairs on the side of the decks but no success.

Lunch at Long board Grill suprisely welcoming good. You good unlimited serving of salted peanuts from the bar. shrimp wedges salad with bacon and blue cheese along with MeanTai finished off my time in Santa Barbara as a exclamations mark 😉

Until next time, I will bring you to the most exclusive spot for your engagement/wedding photos in Malibu