CALIFORNIA ✦ DAY TRIPS ✦ TRIP PLANNING

Last Updated On: April 21, 2023
Posted by: Highly Likely Out of Office

Note: Sprinkled all over this post are affiliate links that direct you to experiences, stays, or products recommended by myself along with the free guides and tips on this blog! This just means that should you decide to use these links, I may earn a small commission that directly supports this blog and my overpriced coffees 😉 AND at absolutely no additional cost to you – how awesome is that?? Cheers!

how to get to santa barbara

As always I’d never want to bore you with too many details, so if you already know how and when you plan to get here – skip right on to the 20 best things to do in Santa Barbara!

Where is Santa Barbara & How Do I Get There?

Location
Santa Barbara (Google Maps) is a stunningly beautiful city along the central coast of California, approximately 95 miles (152 km) northwest of Los Angeles and 4.5 hours south of Big Sur. The weather is always gorgeous – where it’s typically sunny and mild year-round, rarely ever dipping below 40°F (4°C).

Getting There
Driving is of course the most convenient and straightforward way to get to and around Santa Barbara. From central Los Angeles, it will take you around 1.5 to 2 hours and from Big Sur, 4-5 hours one way. If driving is not an option for you, you can consider these two options:

Amtrak
✦ This train runs on multiple schedules daily (both northbound & southbound) between San Diego & Oakland, California with stops in between
✦ From Los Angeles ~ Santa Barbara takes approximately 2 hours and 37 minutes
✦ For schedules & tickets | Website

Airbus
✦ This shuttle bus runs daily between LAX and Santa Barbara
✦ From Los Angeles ~ Santa Barbara takes approximately 2 hours
✦ For schedules & tickets | Website

Best Time to Visit Santa Barbara for One Day

The best time to visit Santa Barbara for the perfect day trip is during the late spring and early summer months, when the temperature is mild and the sun is out. During this time of year, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to explore and enjoy all that Santa Barbara without the crowds!

The Busiest Time in Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara’s peak tourist season is during the summer months, from June to September. Weather is great but expect for places to be more crowded, especially on the weekends. If this is still the time you prefer, try to come by on a weekday.

Must Pack Items for Santa Barbara

If you’re planning to enjoy a full day in Santa Barbara, there’s not much you’ll need to bring but here are a few items that we always make sure to pack with us in our trunk:

✦ Sunscreen & tanning oil – I love Hawaiian Tropic’s Sheer Touch 70 SPF for sun protection and of course, a nice tanning oil to get a nice golden tan such as Australian Gold’s Rapid Tanning Intensifier with tea tree oil & aloe vera.
✦ Beach mat, towel, umbrella. My beach towels are from a local Filipino brand called SORA (now called FLOWE).
✦ Light Jacket – It’s always slightly cooler in Santa Barbara so bring a light jacket especially for after sunset
✦ Water Bottle – I love Corkcicle because it keeps my water ice cold the ENTIRE day and this 32oz Corkcicle tumbler is the perfect beach companion!
✦ Camera – I always have 2 different kinds in my bag: my Instax SQ1 which takes the cutest square polaroids and my mirrorless camera, a Fujifilm XT5 which I take with me to all my trips!

20 Best Things To Do on a Santa Barbara Day Trip

There are so many things to do in Santa Barbara, for nature-enthusiasts, foodies, families with kids, people with pets, people traveling alone, etc. Here are my top recommendations!

Grab Some Coffee

Santa Barbara is known for its flourishing coffee culture, with a number of cozy cafes to choose from. As a coffee enthusiast – I have to say this town knows its coffee. There are a handful of roasters and some new ones have been popping up lately too! My favorites are:

✦ Handlebar | Google Maps | Great coffee, large space, plenty of parking & seating [there are 2 locations]
✦ Dune Coffee Roasters | Google Maps | Great coffee, usually very busy, dedicated parking space but often packed [4 locations!]
✦ Dawn Cafe+ Market | Google Maps | Great new coffee shop in Drift Hotel, very cute!
✦ Caje | Google Maps | Very cute space [multiple locations!]

Have a Morning Bun at Bree’osh Bakery

THE place for amazing pastries – my favorite is their morning bun. Imagine a hundred folds of soft brioche in a crisp sugar-cinnamony exterior. YUM!

It takes us an hour to drive to Santa Barbara from the valley on a Saturday morning, and I place my order as soon as I get settled in the car to secure my bun. Yes- it can start to get competitive so if you’re keen on trying a pastry or two, make sure to come in the early morning. There’s one in Montecito, but the location in Downtown Santa Barbara is perfect for dining in.

Walk Around Santa Barbara County Courthouse

The Santa Barbara County Courthouse (location) is worth a visit for its stunning architecture and frescoes, which were crafted by local artisans and feature scenes of local history.

Enjoy the landscape around the courthouse and don’t miss the Bell Tower which you can take a few flights of stairs or an elevator to! It’s completely free AND pet-friendly. Enjoy 360-degree views of Santa Barbara from here.

Enjoy a Slice of History at Old Mission Santa Barbara

The Old Mission Santa Barbara (location) is a historic building that was founded in 1786 by Spanish Franciscan missionaries. The grounds are full of lush gardens and fascinating artifacts, making it one of the most popular attractions in the city!

✦ Open daily from 9:30am – 4:00pm [Sundays open at 11]
✦ Self Guided Tours are USD$15/adults
✦ No pets allowed, photography limited to certain areas only
✦ Website/Tickets: Old Mission Santa Barbara

Photo Walk at The Funk Zone

Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone (location) is a vibrant and eclectic area of the city that is home to some of its best shops, galleries, and restaurants. You’ll find a lot of colorful murals and wine tasting rooms here too.

Explore State Street

State Street is the heart of Santa Barbara, lined with more restaurants, cafés, bars and boutiques. Take some time to explore the area and pop into the shops!

Enjoy a Scrumptious Treat from Hook N Press

One of my favorite donut shops in California is in this beautiful beach town! A box of their donuts makes for a great addition to any beach picnic and we always enjoy their seasonal flavors. Pop into their cute space and check out their daily selection!

Walk Down the Historic Stearns Wharf

Stearns Wharf (location) is the oldest working wharf in California and provides visitors with a stunning view of Santa Barbara’s beaches. In 2023 it turns a hundred fifty! From this wharf you’ll also have beautiful views of the East and West Beaches on either side.

✦ Parking is FREE first 90 minutes
✦ Pets are allowed on a leash
✦ You can fish here too, it’s free!
✦ More information on events: Website

Cruise Along the Beach

The East Beach is lined with Santa Barbara’s iconic row of palm trees. Enjoy this stretch of the ocean by getting on a bike and savor the view of palm trees & the Pacific Ocean!

Sample Santa Barbara’s Unique Beaches

Santa Barbara’s beaches are well-known for their stunning views and perfect waves. Head to East Beach if you’re looking for a more serene experience, or try Leadbetter Beach to see some of the best surfing spots in California. East Beach is our favorite spot to relax because it’s rarely crowded. Note: We recently found out dogs aren’t allowed on East Beach but there are always TONS of dogs on this beach lol.

✦ Leadbetter Beach | Location | For surfing / wind surfing
✦ East Beach | Location | Iconic row of palm trees
✦ Arroyo Burro Beach | Location | pet-friendly, off-leash
✦ Mesa Lane Beach | Location | Beautiful beach against cliffs

Ride the Santa Barbara Trolley

A great way to see Santa Barbara is by riding the Santa Barbara Trolley. This is a 90-minute tour that takes you to a few of Santa Barbara’s highlights for USD$28/adult. Note: Not a hop-on-hop-off tour. Definitely a great option for those short on time as you see many special spots on this quick tour.

Photo-op at the Chromatic Gate

The iconic Chromatic Gate by late artist Herbert Bayer is a great spot to take photos! A Santa Barbara must 😉 Location here.

Wander Through the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is the perfect spot to relax, take in some stunning views, and get a little closer to nature! Entry for adults is USD$20 and pets on a leash are allowed!

Taste the Wine!

Santa Barbara is home to some of the best vineyards in California. If you’re in town for a little longer, it’s definitely worth driving out to the countryside and visit a few wineries for an afternoon of wine tasting. In Downtown Santa Barbara, there are also several wine tasting rooms you can visit. Here are some great spots to ~wine-down after a few hours of sightseeing! Photos above courtesy of Booking.com.

✦ J. Wilkes | Google Maps | Website
✦ Melville Winery Tasting Room | Google Maps | Website
✦ Skyenna Wine Lounge | Google Maps | Website
✦ Santa Barbara Wine Collective | Google Map | Website

Book a Sunset Cruise

There’s no better way to end your day in Santa Barbara than by renting a sailboat at sunset. You can either book a romantic private cruise or group charter! Here are some tours with great reviews. If you are interested in a more active sunset activity, why not book a Sunset kayak Tour?

✦ SB Catamaran Sunset Cruise | USD$73/person | Website
✦ Celebration Cruises Private Cruise | USD$129/6pax | Website

Happy Hour with a View at The Boathouse at Hendry’s Beach

The Boathouse is a local favorite with stunning views of the harbor. They offer great happy hour specials, and you can even watch the sunset while you enjoy your drink.

Explore the Cliff-side Local Spots

Venture into more remote spots in Santa Barbara, like in Mesa Lane Beach or 1000 Steps Beach for a unique experience along the coast!

Visit the Weekend Market

On Saturdays, Santa Barbara is home to a great market near State Street. Here you can find local vendors selling handmade goods and produce. I looove these Chile Lemon Pistachios from Santa Barbara Pistachio Company!

Santa Barbara Museum of Art

The Santa Barbara Museum of Art is a great spot to explore art, both modern and classic. With exhibitions on rotation, there’s always something new to see here. They’re open daily except for Mondays with admission tickets at USD$10/adult. Check their website for more information on what’s currently shown and for any events or lectures!

Winslow-Maxwell Overlook

For a great view of Santa Barbara, head to Winslow-Maxwell Overlook. This spot provides panoramic views of the city and is a popular wedding venue.

sample santa barbara itinerary

You probably won’t have enough time to do all 20 things in one day, and below I’ve outlined the best way you can organize your day for a fun & relaxing trip!

Morning
Pick-up pastries from Bree’osh
Grab a coffee from Handlebar Coffee
Head to the Santa Barbara Courthouse and explore the grounds, climb up the bell tower
Head to State Street or Funk Zone and explore the shops, galleries
Lunch @ Sama Sama Kitchen

Afternoon
Grab icecream from McConnell’s
Take photos at Rainbow Arch
Rent a bike and explore East Beach & the Wharf
Maxwell Overlook
Happy Hour @ Hendry’s

Evening
Dinner @ Funk Zone

Bonus Ideas to Extend your Santa Barbara Day Trip

If you have more time to spend in Santa Barbara, there are plenty of other activities and sights that you can explore.

Wine tasting near Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is known for its world-class wineries, making it an ideal destination for those looking to explore and sample the region’s local wines. Popular wine towns you can visit are Los Olivos, Solvang, Los Alamos, and Buellton.

I highly recommend a visit to Los Alamos – in this post I talk about why it’s one of California’s best kept secrets!

Hiking Along the Coastline

Santa Barbara has no shortage of beautiful and scenic hiking trails that are perfect for exploring the area’s stunning coastline. Some of the best trails include Mission Canyon Trail, Inspiration Point Trail, and Gaviota Peak Trail.

Take a quick trip to Ojai

Just a short drive away from Santa Barbara, the small town of Ojai is full of charm and beauty. This quaint town features art galleries, boutique shops, historic buildings, and plenty of nature trails for camping, hiking and picnicking.

Enjoy a peaceful stroll through downtown Ojai or take in views of the Topatopa Mountains from Libbey Park. For an unforgettable experience, take a hot air balloon ride over the Valley and enjoy breathtaking views of the landscape!

Where to Stay

If you’re planning an extended stay in Santa Barbara, there are plenty of lodging options to choose from. Depending on your budget and preferences, you can stay in a hotel, Airbnb, or camping spot. The area also has several resorts that offer access to beaches and outdoor activities. Below are some accommodations with great reviews! We live close enough to Santa Barbara to ever warrant a night here, but these are some places I would consider staying! Photos courtesy of Booking.com 🙂

Hotels, Inns, Villas

✦ Palihouse Santa Barbara | Boutique | 4-star | Historic Presidio District
✦ Santa Barbara Inn | Inn + 3-star hotel | 2-min walk from East Beach
✦ La Playa Inn Santa Barbara | Inn | 5-min walk from the East Beach
✦ Bath Street Inn | Inn | 3-star | Quaint B&B from 1890
✦ Best Western Plus | Hotel | 3-star | Great for families
✦ Santa Barbara Botanical Cabin | Villa | Great for big groups

Glamping in Santa Barbara

El Capitan Canyon is a 300-acre rustic campground 17 miles West of Santa Barbara. Choose from a variety of Cedar Cabins and Adventure Yurts and enjoy the lush surrounding directly opposite El Capitan State Beach with the Santa Ynez mountains in the backdrop without having to sacrifice comfort! They have an onsite market and deli as well as wine-tasting, hiking, cycling, and a year-round headed pool. Photos courtesy of El Capitan Canton.

Camping & RV Parks

Having your own camper van or RV means plenty of opportunity to really enjoy this slice of the California coast! Below are some beaches with hundreds of campsites and amenities like a barbecue pit, picnic tables, hook-ups, etc. For a full list, check out this website!

✦ Jalama Beach & County Park | 1 hour west of the city
✦ Santa Barbara Sunrise Park | located in the city

faq