Although Santa Barbara is well known for it’s ocean views and lifestyle, there’s more to the area than just sand, sun and water – it’s a place where you can spend some of your time enjoying the beach, and the other part of it checking out the other various activities the area has to offer.
santa barbara
BEST TIME TO VISIT
The best time to visit Santa Barbara depends on what you’re looking for, but there’s no bad time to visit. If you want to enjoy the beaches, then late spring to late fall is best; the weather is warm and there’s plenty of sunshine. But fall is also very nice, less hot, and there are winery events taking place.
TOP TIPS
— Bring the sunscreen and a hat – the sun is almost always out.
— If you’re traveling from within California, take the Surfrider train.
— Know where to find the parking lots with the first 75 minutes free.
— Book well in advance for top restaurants to avoid disappointment.
WHAT'S NEW
WHAT TO SEE
OLD MISSION SANTA BARBARA
Mission Santa Barbara is one of 21 Spanish missions in California and is a major historic and cultural landmark.
STATE STREET PROMENADE
The heart of Downtown Santa Barbara’s entertainment and retail district is a really fun pedestrian-only area.
FUNK ZONE
Santa Barbara is a hub for the area’s wine industry and you’ll find many tasting rooms in the trendy Funk Zone.
SANTA BARBARA PUBLIC MARKET
A large food hall with tons of local chefs and purveyors plus plenty of indoor and outdoor seating.
DID YOU KNOW…?
There are 200+ vineyards located in Santa Barbara Wine Country, with siven American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) and 9 distinct wine trails to explore outside the city. Over 40 wine tasting rooms are within walk distance in downtown along the Urban Wine Trail.
WHERE TO STAY
DOWNTOWN
- Hotel Santa Barbara (see on Trip Advisor)
- Hotel Californian (see on Trip Advisor)
BEACHFRONT
- Hilton Beachfront (see on Trip Advisor)
- Harbor View Inn (see on Trip Advisor)
5-STAR HOTELS
- Ritz Carlton Bacara (see on Trip Advisor)
-
El Encanto (see on Trip Advisor)
TOURS TO BOOK
5 Free things to do in santa barbara
- Santa Barbara County Courthouse -Santa Barbara’s iconic Spanish Colonial Revival Courthouse has been called, “The most beautiful government building in America.” Free docent-led tours are offered at 10:30am weekdays and 2:00pm every day. You can also take the elevator up to the clock tower for a panoramic view.
- Shoreline Park – The shoreline park is absolutely beautiful and the ocean view is a delight. It is well used by locals and tourists alike and a great place to walk and relax.
- West Beach & Stearns Wharf – Relax for a while on this beautiful stretch of beach that surrounds the iconic Stearns Wharf, where you can watch fishing boats unload the day’s catch, play on the beach, and enjoy spectacular sunsets from California’s oldest working wharf.
- Inspiration Point – One of the most popular hiking destinations in the Santa Barbara area, Inspiration Point offers a scenic panorama of Santa Barbara, the Pacific Ocean and the Channel Islands beyond.
- El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park – This is where the last remaining of the military outposts constructed by the Spanish along the Alta California coast.
what to eat in santa barbara
Mexican Food
You’ll find a lot of Mexican food here, spanning from grab and go burritos to fine-dining.
Where: Los Agaves
Tri-Tip
Tri Tip is one of the areas biggest specialties, having been created in Santa Maria in the 50s. You’ll see tri tip served in all different ways around the city.
Where: Cold Spring Tavern
McConnell’s Ice cream
Founded in Santa Barbara in 1949, McConnell’s is still making crave worthy small batch, from scratch ice cream that locals are crazy about.
Where: McConnell’s on State Street