Few places in this world captivate me quite like Santa Barbara. Located about a two-hour drive away from Los Angeles, this little beachside town holds so much charm. It’s rare to find a coastal town with such gorgeous beaches, mountains and rich history. Santa Barbara definitely lives up to its prestigious reputation as “The American Riviera”.
This cute college town is one of my favorite places for a weekend getaway. From the fine dining scene to the miles of stunning beaches to nearby Santa Ynez Valley Wine Country, there are endless possibilities of things to do for your next romantic getaway or girls trip.
The Santa Barbara Shortlist
Stay
- Airbnb
- Montecito Inn
Explore + Photograph
- State Street
- Santa Barbara County Courthouse
- Santa Barbara Waterfront
- Chase Palm Park
- Shoreline Park
- Santa Barbara Maritime Museum
- Stearns Wharf
- Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
- Butterfly Beach
- Old Mission Santa Barbara
- Montecito, a posh beach town next door to Santa Barbara
- Santa Ynez Valley Wine Country
Eat
- Norton’s Deli $
- Corazon Cocina $$
- 1114 Craft House and Kitchen $$
- Sambo’s $$
- Honor Bar $$$
- Lucky’s $$$$
What to Wear
Day
Night
Where to Stay in Santa Barbara
Airbnb
I can’t recommend Airbnb enough for your stay in Santa Barbara. Hotels are definitely on the pricier side in SB since there tend to be mostly luxury options. I’ll let you in on a little secret: I stayed in a private guesthouse on an avocado estate overlooking the ocean for less than half the price tag of a Santa Barbara hotel. This is my favorite Airbnb to date. It’s hard to believe that you can live like a millionaire on a budget, but SB has so many hidden gems like this and more.
I can’t say enough good things about my Airbnb stay. My host, Jim, was so hospitable. He even gave us a bag of avocados and oranges to take home with us after our stay. It was beyond belief to wake up every day to the sunrise over the avocado and orange groves and see the spectacular sunsets. (Santa Barbara is on a south-facing peninsula, so you get the best of both worlds.) You can book your stay at our Airbnb here.
Montecito Inn
I stayed at The Montecito when I was younger, and to this day, our stay is one of my favorite childhood memories. Before Hollywood’s Golden Age, Santa Barbara was the hub of moviemaking and the stars. After filming moved to Hollywood, Santa Barbara became a place for actors to escape from the hustle and bustle of LA. Charlie Chaplin opened The Montecito in 1928 as a luxe getaway for Hollywood’s elite. To this day, The Montecito Inn is a Santa Barbara institution and a place you must visit even if you choose not to stay at the hotel. You can book your stay at The Montecito here.
Things to do in Santa Barbara
State Street
No visit to Downtown Santa Barbara is complete without a stroll down State Street. This iconic avenue is home to some of the best shopping, dining and architecture in Santa Barbara. On a beautiful day, you have to walk from the end of State Street to Stearns Wharf on the ocean: it’s one of the prettiest walks you will ever take! Check these State Street gems out on a Saturday night out in SB:
- 1114 Crafthouse and Kitchen
- Corazon Cocina
- Andersen’s Danish Bakery and Restaurant
- McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams
- Brandy Melville
Santa Barbara County Courthouse
If I had to recommend only one sightseeing activity on your trip to SB, it would definitely be the county courthouse. The architecture is gorgeous, the murals inside are so beautiful, and you can see the best view in Santa Barbara from the top. The clock tower offers sweeping 360 panoramic views of Santa Barbara, the mountains, the oceans and downtown SB.
I can’t state enough how beautiful this building is—because of the Spanish influence, it reminds me of a church you would expect to see in Europe. Besides being one of the most gorgeous buildings in the country, admission is also free! The courthouse is also a popular wedding spot (I even saw a wedding party taking pictures on my visit if you scroll below), so make sure you time your visit earlier in the day if you want to see the stunning Mural Room.
Chase Palm Park
One of my favorite places to watch the sunset in Santa Barbara. Chase Palm Park is a great place for a sunset beach walk and a beautiful green space to play with your pup. You should easily be able to find free parking on the street along Cabrillo Boulevard. This is hands-down my favorite place in Santa Barbara to photograph.
Chromatic Gate
This Instagrammable rainbow gate is located right across the street from Chase Palm Park. If you love unique photo spots as much as I do, this is the cutest spot for a photo in SB, especially if you shoot with the mountains behind you.
Shoreline Park
Another pristine park in Santa Barbara. This is the best place in SB to go for a run with an ocean view.
Santa Barbara Waterfront
The Waterfront has gorgeous ocean views and some of the best restaurants in Santa Barbara. This is a great spot for people-watching, views of the harbor and a fresh seafood lunch.
Stearns Wharf
Stearns Wharf is an iconic Santa Barbara landmark. There are so many cute places to shop along the wharf, and the views of the Santa Barbara coastline are breathtaking.
Santa Barbara Restaurants
Corazon Cocina
Corazon Cocina serves some of the best tacos I’ve ever eaten in the chicest atmosphere. The restaurant is located in the coolest collaborative space, Santa Barbara’s Public Market. Order the nortena and al pastor tacos!
1114 Craft House and Kitchen
Located just off of State Street in the historic and breathtaking La Arcada Plaza, 1114 Craft House has one of the most beautiful settings of any restaurant I’ve ever dined at. This gastropub has quite a wide menu, but I recommend the fajitas—so delicious!
Norton’s Deli
The best pastrami sandwich. I knew eating here was a must after seeing this deli featured on Diner’s, Drive-Ins and Dives. It lives up to the hype and more. Visit before the lunch crowds hit because there’s usually a line out the door.
Sambo’s
Delicious pancakes with an ocean view. Need I say more?
Whether you’re visiting a friend at UC Santa Barbara or looking for a romantic getaway north of Los Angeles, I hope this guide helped you create the perfect itinerary for your weekend away. For more Santa Barbara tips, you can visit my highlights on Instagram @melodykschmidt.
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