Chumash offer a different view of historic city

Santa Barbara’s ubiquitous Spanish Colonial architecture and Southern California beach scene, not to mention celebrity residents, can give it the feel of a Hollywood back lot. Spending a day exploring the deep roots and modern blossoms of its often-overlooked Chumash history provides both a dose of American Indian reality and insights into “Island of the Blue Dolphins,” as cinematic a tale as there ever was.

Jeanne Cooper / Special to The Chronicle Jay Sinclair / Visit Santa Barbara Old Mission Santa Barbara, built in 1786, with the original Chumash altar, left, and other early artwork, inset above, on display in Mission Santa Barbara’s Treasures room.