Travel Guide: Santa Barbara, CA
Nestled between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Santa Barbara, CA, is a city that has something for everyone—and will help you slow down. With a mild Mediterranean climate, beautiful beaches, world-class wineries, and a rich cultural history, it’s no wonder why Santa Barbara is often referred to as the “American Riviera.”
I’ve been fortunate to visit Santa Barbara, California several times over the past year. It’s one of my favorite coastal destinations in California. It has a small town coastal feel where life seems to move at a slower pace than other California coastal cities but with all the offerings! One thing I noticed is the restaurants and town shut down early so be sure to note that when planning your trip.
Things to Do in Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara Old Mission
The Santa Barbara Mission, established in 1786, is a historic landmark that offers visitors a glimpse into California’s Spanish colonial past. The mission’s beautiful architecture and tranquil gardens provide a peaceful respite from the hustle and bustle. Guided tours are available if you want to learn more about the history.
Shop Downtown Santa Barbara
Downtown Santa Barbara is a charming, pedestrian-friendly area that is home to a variety of shops, restaurants, and galleries. State Street, the city’s main thoroughfare, is lined with shops and restaurants, while nearby Paseo Nuevo offers a more upscale shopping experience. The area is also home to several historic landmarks, including the Granada Theatre and the Santa Barbara County Courthouse. The Funk Zone District features eclectic boutiques that are fun to pop into between wine tastings.
Relax on the Beach
Santa Barbara has some of the most beautiful beaches in California!
East and West Beach
East and West Beach are popular spots for sunbathing, swimming, and surfing. These beaches are located on each side of the Santa Barbara pier. In the photo above you can see the beach from the Santa Barbara Pier. There are many boats as the marina is located nearby.
Butterfly Beach
For a secluded experience, head to Butterfly Beach which offers stunning views and fewer crowds. We were able to find close street parking. We enjoyed a long walk along the beach until it turned completely into rocks
Hendry’s Beach
Hendry’s Beach is another great option to avoid crowds but also enjoy ocean views against the cliffs. As mentioned below, Hendry’s Beach has a nice restaurant The Boathouse to enjoy before or after a walk.
Santa Claus Beach
Santa Claus Beach is located a short drive south of Santa Barbara and is technically located in Montecito. It’s another favorite quiet beach of ours. I adore all of the beachfront homes and enjoy looking at them as much as I love looking at the ocean.
Leadbetter Beach
We enjoyed an early morning walk on Leadbetter Beach and watched the seals swim. It’s adjacent to Shoreline Park, a great place to walk your dog or enjoy a morning run while looking out over the expansive ocean views. It was empty early in the morning but I assume it gets crowded during the day.
Santa Barbara Wine Tasting
Santa Barbara’s wine country is located just a short drive from the city. It’s home to 200 wineries and vineyards. The region is known for producing some of the best Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the world. Many wineries offer tours and tastings, giving visitors the opportunity to sample some of the region’s best wines. Below are some of the wineries we visited. There are also a lot of winery taste rooms throughout the city that shouldn’t be missed!
Note: Wineries have different food policies. Some offer small bites while others allow you to bring in your own food/boards. Be sure to check prior and come prepared!
Brave & Maiden Estate
Location: Santa Ynez Valley
Brave and Maiden Estate Winery was by far my favorite. It’s located in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley wine region, just a short drive from Santa Barbara. The estate is situated on 60 acres of land and features stunning views of the surrounding mountains and vineyards. Did I mention it was stunning?! From the time the gates open and you drive through the vineyards to opening the front door of the Tasting Room to the sweeping vineyard gardens—it’s breathtaking. The winery’s tasting room is a modern renovated barn and offers a cozy setting. We really enjoyed all the wines we tried and couldn’t stop talking about the atmosphere. Brave and Maiden Estate produces a variety of wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Grenache, and Sauvignon Blanc. I recommend making a reservation outside if the weather permits. Dogs are allowed to join you on-leash and outside.
Sunstone Winery
Location: 125 N Refugio Rd | Santa Ynez Valley
Sunstone Winery is my first California winery I ever visited and it offered such a cool experience. It’s situated on 55 acres and has been producing high-quality wines since 1990. The winery specializes in Bordeaux and Rhone-style wines, which are made using traditional winemaking techniques. One of the things that sets Sunstone Winery apart is its stunning Provencal-style villa. The villa was built using reclaimed materials from France, including antique roof tiles, hand-forged iron, and limestone. The villa is surrounded by gorgeous gardens, olive groves, and vineyards.
Pali Wine Co. Tasting Room
Location: 205 Anacapa St, Santa Barbara, CA | Funk Zone District
Pali Wine Co. produces premium Pinot Noir and Chardonnay sourced primarily from vineyards in the Sta. Rita Hills and neighboring wine-growing regions. The boutique wines are known for their exceptional quality and complexity. They have two tasting rooms, one located in the Lompoc Wine Ghetto and the other one at the Funk Zone Wine Garden in Lower State Santa Barbara. We enjoyed our experience at Funk Zone Wine Garden where we learned about the winemaking process and tasted the winery’s latest releases.
Fox Wine Co.
Location: 120 Santa Barbara St | Funk Zone District
Fox Wine Co. is located in a building with Lama Dog, Topa Topa Brewering, and The Nook. We quickly learned that Santa Barbara doesn’t have many options that stay open late. We came across Fox Wine Co. that offered us to hang until 10pm. where we enjoyed several lovely wines.
Lama Dog
Location: 116 Santa Barbara St | Funk Zone District
Ok, this one isn’t all about the wines but it’s worth mentioning especially for beer enthusiasts! If you’re looking to hang with the locals, Lama Dog is your spot. Plus you can grab food from The Nook (mentioned below) that is connected to Lama Dog. It’s a popular craft beer bar and bottle shop offering a wide variety of local and regional craft beers, as well as selection of wines and ciders. One of the unique features of Lama Dog is its extensive bottle shop—carrying many hard-to-find and limited release brews. You can purchase bottles to take home or enjoy them at the bar for a small corkage fee.
The Valley Project
Location: 116 East Tanonali Street | Funk Zone District
The Valley Project is a boutique winery located in Santa Barbara, that specializes in producing small-batch wines from the Santa Ynez Valley. The winery sources its grapes from carefully selected vineyards through the valley, with a focus on expressing the unique terroir of each site. The tasting room is a simple space with indoor and outdoor seating where you can try a variety of wines, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon. One of the unique features of The Valley Project is its focus on sustainability. The winery uses environmentally friendly practices in its winemaking, including solar power and composting its grape pomace. The staff was extremely knowledgable and I love the huge chalk mural they have showing the surrounding wine regions.
The Boathouse is a popular seafood restaurant located on Hendry’s Beach with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Barbara coastline. The historic building was once used as a boathouse for local fisherman. Now it’s fully lined with windows offering stunning ocean views. They also have an outdoor patio overlooking the beach. The menu features fresh seafood and locally sourced ingredients when possible. We caught it at happy hour and ordered some amazing fresh seafood at a good cost. If you’re looking for the atmosphere and food then this is the place! After eating, I highly recommend walking on Hendry’s Beach if the tide allows. We enjoyed a long walk with our dog—yes it’s a dog-friendly beach! Note: There is one parking lot serving the restaurant and beach area.
Santo Mezcal
Location: 119 State Street | Lower State
Santo Mezcal offers a modern take on traditional Mexican cuisine, featuring fresh and flavorful dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. This was one of our favorite places we dined in Santa Barbara! The menu offers a variety of Mexican-inspired dishes including fresh ceviche. They have an extensive selection of mezcal and tequila. We were not disappointed with our cocktails! They offer happy hour Monday through Friday from 2 to 6pm.
Zaytoon
Location: 209 E Canon Perdido St | Downtown Santa Barbara
Zayton came highly rated to us from friends that lived in Santa Barbara but be sure to get a reservation as they fill up quick! Zaytoon is a Lebanese restaurant serving fresh and high quality dishes. The restaurant is set in the most amazing atmoshpere! The hidden oasis is hidden from the street and is situated on a large outdoor garden patio. Once you enter the patio, you’re surrounded by plants and greenery with real vegetables growing throughout. If you’re dining with a large group, I highly recommend reserving a firepit table for an extra special experience. The food was all amazing and definitely a favorite!
The Nook Santa Barbara
Location: 116 Santa Barbara St | Funk Zone District
The Nook is located in the same building as Lama Dog (mentioned above), Topa Topa Brewing Co., and Fox Wine Co. (mentioned above). It serves redefined “bar food” while you enjoy wine or beer from the amazing surrounding hot spots.
Alessia Patisserie and Cafe
Location: 134 E Canon Perdido St | Downtown Santa Barbara
Alessia Patisserie and Cafe is a French-inspired bakery and cafe located downtown Santa Barbara. The menu features a large variety of sweet and savory pastries, sandwiches, salads, and quiches, all made with fresh and sustainable ingredients. We ate here several mornings and LOVE all the fresh pastries. Absolutely fabulous!
Handlebar Coffee Roasters
Location: 128 E Canon Perdido St | Downtown Santa Barbara
Handlebar Coffee Roasters quickly became our go-to spot on our trip. The staff was super friendly and we learned the owners use to live in Colorado. In addition to coffee drinks, the owners brought in freshly baked goods each morning. One of the highlights of Handlebar Coffee Roasters is its commitment to sustainability and ethical sourcing practices. The shop works directly with coffee farmers and cooperatives to ensure fair wages and environmentally sustainable growing practices. Plus, they have super cool branded swag. I purchased my favorite flat bill hat from them that I wear regularly.
Santa Barbara, CA is a destination that should be on everyone’s bucket list. With its beautiful beaches, rich history, world-class wineries, and charming downtown, it’s easy to see why this city attracts so many visitors for a relaxing wind-down. For even more details, you can visit Santa Barbara’s website.
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