The Ideal Santa Barbara Weekend Getaway Itinerary

The Ideal Santa Barbara Weekend Getaway Itinerary

Welcome to sunny Santa Barbara, where ocean views, charming architecture, fabulous food and world-class wine await. This laidback coastal city makes an enticing weekend escape from LA. Here’s an insider's guide for making the most of a quick 3-day trip.

Day 1: Taste of the City

Morning: Mission and Downtown

Start your long weekend with Santa Barbara’s iconic historical landmark. Founded in 1786, the whitewashed Santa Barbara Mission still holds daily Catholic services in a serene garden oasis. Marvel at the twin bell towers before grabbing an iced coffee across the street at Handlebar Roasters.

From there, take a pleasant 15-minute stroll to downtown State Street. Pop into boutiques, galleries and cafes housed in Spanish-style buildings along the bustling pedestrian artery. For an optimal people-watching patio, snag a table at Vista Lago Café and nibble on their drool-worthy stuffed dates.

Afternoon: Beach Time

Work on your tan at family-friendly East Beach, just a 10-minute drive from downtown. Build epic sandcastles, play volleyball, or rent a stand-up paddleboard and cruise along the coastline for unbeatable ocean vistas dotted with offshore oil rigs.

If you’re craving seafood with your seaside views, belly up to Brophy Bros for their famous clam chowder bread bowls or oversized seafood platters on their sprawling patio.

Evening: Fine Dining & Nightlife

Santa Barbara dining shines brightest along the Funk Zone, a revitalized warehouse district with urban wine tasting rooms and chef-driven eateries. Start with snazzy small plates at The Lark before joining area winemakers sipping their own vintages at Municipal Winemakers or Area 5.1.

Wrap up your first day by dancing off dinner to DJ beats at Wildcat Lounge or sipping scotch amidst vintage curiosities at Good Lion Cocktail Lounge. Their barkeeps whip up killer craft cocktails, like the crowd-pleasing Oaxacan Firing Squad with smoky mezcal and ginger syrup.

Day 2: Beach Hopping & Shopping

Morning: Butterfly Beach & Breakfast

Rise early to nab a parking spot near ever-popular Butterfly Beach. Take an hour-long stroll on this postcard-perfect stretch of coastline backed by palatial Montecito mansions.

Swing into Jeannine’s bakery beforehand for homemade quiche, fruit galettes and other tasty French breakfast treats enjoyed at dainty garden tables.

Late Morning: Surfing & Stand-Up Paddleboarding

Work off your croissant calories by hanging ten on your choice of surfboard or stand-up paddleboard, available to rent hourly at Paddle Sports Center in Leadbetter Beach.

Newbies can get lessons on the sand before testing newly acquired skills on gentle swells. Watch expert wave warriors catch air off Stearns Wharf while seals playfully bob around offshore.

Afternoon: Taco Time & Shopping

After ditching your wetsuit, grab satisfying shrimp or carne asada tacos at no-frills roadside icon Lilly’s Taqueria in nearby Summerland. Their hot sauce delivers a real kick.

Next, browse the chic boutiques peppering Coast Village Road in ritzy neighboring Montecito, especially K. Frank for on-trend dresses and statement jewelry.

Saunter over to the historic San Ysidro Ranch afterwards. Even if you can’t afford to stay at the five-star hideaway beloved by celebs like Gwyneth Paltrow, the public can still soak up idyllic valley views over a Basil Blueberry Mojito on their stone patio.

Day 3: Wine Tasting & Dolphin Spotting

Morning: Funk Zone

Fuel up on flaky chocolate croissants at Renaud’s Patisserie before hitting the tasting rooms clustered in Santa Barbara’s hip Funk Zone.

Start by sampling sparkling wines at Riverbench's plush tasting lounge. Then contrast their crisp bubblies with rich reds like Area 5.1's aptly named full-bodied Conspiracy blend.

Don't miss Kunin Wines' brand new high-design space on Santa Barbara Street. Their mineral-laced Rhône varietals earned cult wine status long before the Funk Zone became trendy.

Afternoon: Santa Barbara Sailing

After winetasting, embark on a two-hour cruise with Santa Barbara Sailing and their fleet of sleek schooners.

As you slice through aquamarine waves along the coastline, keep your eyes peeled for dolphins, seals and even migrating whales between April and November. Return to the harbor with rosy sunburns and windswept hair, ready to continue your nautical adventures.

Make your final reservations for the trip at the long-running Brophy Bros seafood house right on the harbor. Their killer views are surpassed only by oversized platters of chilled shellfish and Dungeness crab cakes.

Don't leave without ordering their legendary clam chowder served piping hot in a hollowed-out sourdough loaf!

Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Santa Barbara

1. How do I get to Santa Barbara?
   • If driving from Los Angeles, take the 101 Freeway north for under 2 hours until you reach beautiful Santa Barbara! You can also catch Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner or take a quick 50-minute flight instead.
2. What is the best time of year to visit?
   • Thanks to its perennially balmy Mediterranean temperatures, any season works! Peak visitation falls between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Hotel rates drop during the fall and winter months.
3. What should I pack?
   • Pack light layers for cool coastal evenings, a swimsuit and sunscreen for beach days, walking shoes for urban exploring, and a cute outfit for sampling Santa Barbara’s thriving dining scene!
4. How do I get around the city?
   • While cars are the easiest way to access outlying beaches and vineyards, downtown Santa Barbara is highly walkable. You can also call an Uber, Lyft or taxi.
5. Where should I stay in Santa Barbara?
   • For proximity to Funk Zone tasting rooms and urban nightlife, book a room downtown. Beach lovers instead prioritize rentals in Montecito or adjacent Summerland.
6. What is there to do in Santa Barbara?
   • Must-see attractions encompass everything from the historic Old Mission to shopping on State Street and wine tasting in the Funk Zone. Beyond downtown, visitors adore hitting the beaches and browsing boutiques in neighboring Montecito.
7. What is Santa Barbara known for?
   • Santa Barbara enjoys fame as the “American Riviera” thanks to its idyllic beaches, luxury resorts, Spanish Colonial architecture, gourmet farm-to-table fare, world-class wines, and an overall laidback yet sophisticated vibe.
8. How many days do you need in Santa Barbara?
   • While you can check off the top sights in a fast-paced weekend, visitors could easily spend a week relaxing at the beaches by day and fine dining by night without running out of things to experience.
9. Is Santa Barbara expensive?
   • As a popular tourist destination, Santa Barbara leans towards the pricier side, especially during high season. However, budget travelers can find motels for under $150/night and tuck into tasty tacos for under $15/meal.
10. Is Santa Barbara safe?
    • Absolutely! In fact, Santa Barbara ranks among California’s top 10 safest cities. Visitors should still exercise normal urban precautions as they explore different neighborhoods.

Three blissful days of award-winning wineries, panoramic pacific views, and vibrant culture gives just a tantalizing taste of all that delightful Santa Barbara offers. With convenient air and road access from across California, everyone deserves to treat themselves to a weekend in this seaside American Riviera as soon as possible!

Have you visited Santa Barbara? What was your favorite part? Share your top tips and recommendations in the comments below!