Whether you're looking for an adventure or just some fresh air, you'll find something to do in Santa Barbara. The Pacific Ocean, Santa Ynez River and Lake Cachuma all offer a variety of water sports, including fishing, whale watching, surfing and sailing. If you'd rather keep your feet on or near the ground, you can jog, walk, hike, bike or skate from beach to mountain. Perhaps soaring sky-high like a bird appeals to you. If so, strap yourself in a hang glider and fly like an eagle.

Water waves a beckoning hand to anyone interested in getting wet. One of the obvious choices is swimming. For a straight-forward workout, Los Baņos del Mar Pool at West Beach offers lane swimming for $2.50 a session. There are also swimming lessons and coached workouts. For more information, call 966-6110.

If the kids need a safe, shallow place to swim, water wings are not required at the Oak Park, West Beach and Ortega Park wading pools, which are open during the summer. You'll find these pools at 300 W. Alamar Ave., 401 Shoreline Drive and 600 E. Ortega St., respectively.

To surf, you may have to travel to Rincon Beach. It's a swell spot for anyone seeking waves. To get there, head south on Highway 101. After you've passed through Carpinteria, look for the sign. You can also catch some mild waves at Leadbetter Beach or Campus Point (near the UCSB campus). Another great aquatic activity is kayaking. Many local companies rent kayaks and offer kayak outings. Aquasports, 968-7231, delivers kayaks to you and takes people to Santa Cruz Island by powerboat or helicopter to explore the painted cave by kayak.

If you get a little seasick around water, there are plenty of things to do with your feet — or some wheels — firmly on the ground. One of the most popular is bicycling. After renting a bike, you can ride one of Santa Barbara's cycling paths or head to the hills for more exhilaration. One bike path cruises along Cabrillo Boulevard from Leadbetter Beach to the Bird Refuge. Another snakes through Goleta to UC Santa Barbara. Bike rental locations include Beach Rentals, 22 State St., 966-6733; and Cycles 4 Rent, 101 State St., 888/405-BIKE. For maps of places to ride, stop by Open Air Bicycles, 224 Chapala St., 963-3717; or call Traffic Solutions at 963-7283.

Dreaming of hitting the long ball? Stop by Batty's Bat-A-Way batting cages, 226 S. Milpas St.

OK, so the elements of earth and water aren't enough. No problem - try hang gliding or paragliding. Running off a cliff and catching a breeze above the city should suffice. For a lesson on defying gravity, call Fly Above All at 965-3733, Windhaven Glider Rides at 688-2517 or ABC Airsports at 688-0343.

There are plenty of other outdoor activities to keep the oxygen coming. See Fun & Games for a feature on whale watching and listings of dozens of delightful diversions.