Visit Santa Barbara welcoming tourists back safely

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- Summer is right around the corner.

While the season officially begins next Saturday, June 20, Visit Santa Barbara has already begun encouraging tourists to come spend part of their summer along the Central Coast.

Friday is the first day bars can reopen in the state.

Hotels will be able to welcome new guests, not just ones traveling for essential work. This is all part of Governor Gavin Newsom's Phase 3 plan for reopening the state during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Visit Santa Barbara CEO and President, Kathy Janega-Dykes, said their new ad campaigns will look different from normal.

What she called the next normal are ads encouraging people to come, but also follow the health guideline from County public health officials.

The ads are also mostly targeting people who are planning to do a road trip.

Janega-Dykes said Santa Barbara's abundant outdoor recreation space is very attractive for those visitors.

To see Visit Santa Barbara's safe travel tips, visit their website.