Paving project underway along Cabrillo Boulevard in Santa Barbara

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - To avoid freeway traffic through Santa Barbara, some people take the scenic route along Cabrillo Boulevard as a detour.

Now, however, is not the time to do that.

The roadway between Stearns Wharf and Castillo is being repaved.

Tow away and no parking signs line both sides of West Cabrillo where parking spaces are usually full this time of year.

The signs say the temporary closure will continue between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.

It's not what some businesses wanted to hear.

Alison Hardey operates Jeannine's Bakery & Restaurant on the corner of Cabrillo Blvd. and State St.

She said it's Jeannine's newest location and during the summer tourism season repaving is a hardship for businesses.

"I just think the city could have reorganized this to do it on a slower month, or maybe to redo it at a different time, but right smack dab in the middle of the heart of Santa Barbara, in the Heart of our busy season, was shocking to me, honestly."

The Land Shark is temporarily parked across the street, but its employees are not complaining.

Due to the repaving the business that takes tourists on land and sea tours is allowed to park by the dolphin fountain.

Land Shark narrator Natalie Sampila said, "Years ago we used to be here, so today we showed up, and had to come back to our original spot, which is kind of exciting because it is at the base of the wharf, and we get a lot more walk by traffic."

Santa Barbara Public Works engineering technician Adam Ziets said it is never convenient for everyone.

Ziets called it a $1.1 million slurry seal project that prolongs the life of the high priority street.

Repaving crews broke for the day around 3 p.m., but they will try to complete the pavement maintenance work on Tuesday.

The project is intended to improve Cabrillo's drivability and reduce traffic noise.