Two hours north from Los Angeles is Santa Barbara - A fantastic and beautiful holiday destination! It is situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains. Perfect weather, rich cultural heritage, iconic architecture, great food and wine, parks and outdoor activities - Santa Barbara has it all.
April through October is the best time to visit Santa Barbara as this is the time when it does not rain. In general, Santa Barbara is a pretty green city with a Mediterranean climate - mild winters and warm summers.
When you visit, you will find the Santa Barbara style of architecture to be quite unique: White stucco walls, red tile roofs, and arched doorways and windows. The style is inspired by Spanish colonial architecture.
Things to do in Santa Barbara
Old Mission Santa Barbara
The Santa Barbara Mission is a historic landmark and one of the city's most iconic attractions. Take a guided tour to learn about the history of the mission and its significance in California's history.
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is a 78-acre garden showcasing the flora and fauna of the region. Take a hike through the garden to enjoy the stunning views and natural beauty. You are likely to see wildflowers in April in the garden as well as in and around Santa Barbara.
Spend a day at the beach!
Santa Barbara has several beautiful beaches, including East Beach, West Beach, and Butterfly Beach. If you are looking for a dog-friendly beach, check out Arroyo Burro Beach, also known as Hendry's Beach. Know that East Beach feels a little more laid back and less touristy than West Beach.
Stroll on the board walk and grab a bite!
Walk on the boardwalk and enjoy the stunning views of the mountains and the ocean. If you happen to go early, grab breakfast by the water.
Sterns Wharf is right there and its a must-do!
This is a historic pier located in Santa Barbara, California. It was built in 1872 and is one of the oldest working piers on the West Coast of the United States. The wharf is a popular tourist attraction and offers a variety of activities and attractions, including restaurants, shops, fishing, and boat tours.
There are several restaurants on the pier, serving fresh seafood and other local specialties. You will also find shops selling souvenirs, gifts, and beach gear. Fishing is a popular activity at Sterns Wharf, and visitors can rent gear and purchase bait at the bait and tackle shop. Boat tours and whale watching tours are also available from the pier.
Rent a bike or a Surrey!
Check out Wheel Fun for a variety of bike options.
Enjoy water activities
Take a surf lesson
Take a cruise. This one offered by the Santa Barbara sailing center offers cruises for whale watching, or sunsets or sips on water!
Check out this guided kayak experience or join a kayak tour to see sea lions!
Drive around town on a trolley tour!
Check out the town via the Santa Barbara 90-minute trolley tour! Drive past landmarks like the courthouse, the zoo, the Mission, and the Museum of Natural History. Thursday through Monday.
Walk around town!
Santa Barbara is clean and beautiful. State Street is the main thoroughfare in Santa Barbara, lined with shops, restaurants, and cafes. Take a leisurely walk down the street, stopping to browse the boutiques, high-end stores and souvenir shops. Plan to enjoy a meal as you are likely to find a variety of restaurants from casual cafes and fine dining to bars and lounges. At certain hours of the day, you will find that the atmosphere is vibrant! You can also always bike along this path.
Definitely enjoy a cup of coffee at Handlebar, we picked up a bunch of things for breakfast.
Check out the wine and beer scene!
Look up Funk Zone. This is an unique Santa Barbara arts, culture, business, and industrial district between State Street and Garden Street, and Montecito Street to Cabrillo Boulevard. In this historic and revitalized district, there is so much to do! Check out art galleries, breweries, restaurants and shops. Take a wine tasting tour to explore the vineyards and sample some of the region's finest wines. Or visit a bunch of breweries! GPS Address: 137 Anacapa St, SB
Here are the spots you can start with:
Municipal Winemakers: This winery is located in the heart of the Funk Zone, and it offers a wide variety of wines from local vineyards. They are open every day, have indoor and outdoor seating and you can get wine by glass or bottle. Make a reservation for Potok Winery located at The Mill on Haley Street. You can also get beer from their neighbors at Third Window Brewery
Area 5.1 Winery: Find them at 137 Anacapa St Unit B Santa Barbara. Experiential venue. Alien vibes :)
La Lieff Winery: This small winery produces Rhone varietals along the California central coast - San Luis Obispo. It is woman owned and operated under the stewardship of GAIA. They are closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
The Funk Zone Patio: This restaurant offers a variety of food and drink options, including wine, beer and cocktails! Shalhoob's has been around for 40 years and is known for its custom cut meals and poultry
Visit the Santa Barbara Zoo
The Santa Barbara Zoo is located at 500 Ninos Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 93103. The zoo is open daily from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Admission is $25 for adults, and $15 for children ages 2-12, and free for children under 2. Reservations are required for both general admission tickets and member visits. There is additional cost for parking, disabled parking with placard is free. The zoo is home to over 500 animals from around the world, including lions, tigers, bears, monkeys, and elephants. The zoo also has a variety of educational exhibits and programs, is open rain or shine. There is a restaurant on site. Some animals such as lions, gorillas and otters have early bedtimes and may not be out after 4:30 PM, so plan accordingly.
Explore Museums
There are a bunch of museums in the area but these are the two I would recommend for museum lovers:
The Santa Barbara Museum of Art is a must-visit for art lovers, showcasing works by renowned artists from around the world.
MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation: This museum is perfect for kids of all ages, with interactive exhibits on science, technology, engineering, art, and math. They offer camps and sensory experiences and Toddler Tuesdays!
Watch a stunning sunset
The Boathouse at Hendry's Beach: This seafood restaurant is located right on the beach, so you can enjoy stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains as you watch the sunset. Dogs used to be allowed but now they are not
Brophy Bros.: Known for its clam chowder, this restaurant is located in the Santa Barbara Harbor, so you can enjoy views of the harbor and the city skyline as you watch the sunset. They have another location in Ventura so put in the right address on your GPS
Oku: This restaurant is located on the rooftop of the Hotel Californian, so you can enjoy panoramic views of the city and the ocean as you watch the sunset. They have a few vegetarian options!
The Ritz Carlton Bacara: The Angel Oak is an ocean-front restaurant and breathtaking sunset views. You can enjoy some wine at Bar de Vino which is an ocean-front wine patio located at The Bistro.
WHERE TO FIND VEGETARIAN-FRIENDLY FOOD IN SANTA BARBARA
Santa Barbara, California has a variety of vegetarian food options available:
Mesa Verde: This restaurant offers a vegan menu that focuses on seasonal, organic ingredients. It also has gluten-free options
Satellite vegetarian restaurant - is a farm to table, farm to glass restaurant that focuses on food made from organic produce provided direct from local farmers in the area
The Natural Cafe: The Natural Cafe has been serving fresh vegetarian and vegan cuisine since 1984. They offer a variety of options, from salads to burritos to sandwiches. They have one location in Goleta and one in Santa Barbara and some others too...!
Green Table: This is a vegan, gluten-free cafe that offers smoothie bowls, salads, sandwiches, and more!
Oliver's: Closed on Mondays, this is a stylist outpost in Montecito, offering healthy plant-based cuisine, cocktails and organic juices. The menu is superb, it is one of the best high-end restaurants in the area
Zaytoon: is a Lebanese restaurant where most of their appetizers and soups are vegetarian and healthy!
Savoy Cafe and Deli: Savoy Cafe and Deli has vegetarian and vegan options for breakfast and lunch, including sandwiches, salads, and omelets.
Rascal's Vegan Food - Find them at 432 E Haley St, Suite A, and enjoy some Mexican food san animal products!
Bibiji: If you are into very spicy food, this Indian restaurant with an edge and a decent variety of vegetarian options may be a good one to consider and to reserve in advance!
Petit Valentien: Sounds French, because it is. But it also offers a vegetarian Ethiopian lunch menu as a la carte and combo platters!
WHERE TO STAY IN SANTA BARBARA
Last minute plans? You certainly won't get anything reasonably priced. Look at neighboring towns such as Carpenteria or Goleta.
Planning in advance? Here are some of the most popular, well-rated hotels to consider.
Reasonably priced, convenient location, clean property. Walk to the beach, eat at nearby restaurants, close to everything and yet quiet. The Pacific Ocean is less than 5 minutes’ walk from this Santa Barbara property. Continental breakfast and free WiFi are provided.
This beachfront hotel features 70 guest rooms and suites with ocean or mountain views. Amenities include a pool, fitness center, and onsite restaurant. Great location, walking distance from the wharf. Less touristy as its on East Beach.
This is a newly renovated hotel with an outdoor rooftop swimming pool and a lounge with stunning views. Centrally located in downtown, State Street is about 5 minutes’ walk away. Each guest room includes free WiFi.
This is my most favorite hotel and it is most centrally located. This Spanish Colonial Revival-style hotel is located in the heart of Santa Barbara's Funk Zone and features luxurious guest rooms and suites. Hotel Californian is just steps from the beach and features an outdoor pool. Guests can enjoy several on-site dining options and take advantage of the on-site spa.
Ooh so fancy, I feel like a celebrity. Adjacent to the Sandpiper golf course, this Santa Barbara resort features beautiful ocean views, an outdoor pool and on-site dining. All guest rooms include a private patio with a view. This beachfront resort offers 358 guest rooms, suites, and luxury cottages. Amenities include multiple pools, a spa, and several restaurants.
This historic hotel is nestled in the hills overlooking Santa Barbara and features bungalows and suites with private patios or balconies. Amenities include a spa, outdoor pool, and fine dining. Offering sweeping views of the ocean, this boutique hotel is 5 minutes’ drive away from Central Santa Barbara.
If apart-hotels are more your style, check our VRBO, it is similar to Air B & B.
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