These early summer days, with their long-lasting and warm evenings and cool foggy mornings, provide the perfect backdrop to get out and enjoy all the wonders of Santa Barbara’s truly vast and varied natural playground. From wave-rippled seas to rocky summits and the valleys beyond, our coastal hamlet is holding big time when it comes to ways to play in Mother Nature. What follows is The Independent‘s Blue and Green Guide, our annual ode to the Great Outdoors. So, sometime before you go have a climb off West Camino Cielo or after that surf session down the coast, we hope you get the chance to kick back and enjoy a collection of stories all about the many, many ways you can enjoy the blues and greens of Santa Barbara.