7 things you must do in Santa Barbara
The sun-soaked coast of Santa Barbara has plenty to offer, from outdoor adventures to dolphin spotting as well as experiencing the local culture and cuisine.
Known as The American Riviera, Santa Barbara in California is idyllic in more ways than one. It’s home to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, unrivalled dolphin spotting locations, and many celebrities including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. It’s easy to see why too, with miles of cycle routes, some of California’s most popular restaurants and of course that near-guaranteed golden sunshine. Here’s what to do in this sought-after city.
1. Enjoy a picnic on the beach
Ditch those sandy sandwiches and let somebody else do all the hard work for you. Suitable for any kind of occasion (but particularly those extra special ones) Santa Barbara Picnic Co effortlessly elevates your lunch to a whole new level, with their stylish picnic tables, plush cushions and cute place settings only adding to the chicness.
Everything from the location, food and even the colour scheme can be arranged to suit your group’s requirements, with the food itself usually sourced locally. The company will even set everything up and pack it all away for you, giving you even more time to get on with enjoying that stunning California coastline. And for those worried about sitting in the sun, parasols are provided too. Perfect.
2. Take to the water
You can’t visit California and not get on the water. Thankfully, Santa Barbara Sailing Center has a handful of year-round boat trips on offer – from sunset cruises to whale watching trips – suitable for all ages.
Hop on the 50-foot (15m) Double Dolphin catamaran and soak up the rays as you whizz along the coast searching for wildlife: keep an eye out for whales and dolphins, sea lions and pelicans are all but guaranteed. She can hold 49 people comfortably and there’s a bar on board too, making it an excellent choice for a party on the sea.
Got a taste for that Cali lifestyle? Santa Barbara Sailing Center also conducts sailing instructions, alongside the hire out of paddle boards and kayaks.
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3. Cycle to Butterfly Beach
Like most of the California coastline, Santa Barbara is blessed to have a standalone cycle lane, the Cabrillo Bike Path, which makes getting around a doddle. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or an amateur, avoiding the roads in these parts is a godsend and allows for a much quicker journey between beaches; and Butterfly Beach in Montecito is arguably the best along this stretch. Its unique west orientation makes sunrises and sunsets pretty spectacular, and it’s also one of the best places in Santa Barbara to spot dolphins.
Damian Gadal/CC BY 2.0/Flickr
4. Go celeb spotting in Montecito
While you’re in Montecito, why not hang out in a café and see who you can spot? Ellen DeGeneres recently sold her mansion to none other than Ariana Grande; Oprah Winfrey also lives here; and if you’re really lucky you may even spot Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who are now settled in the area.
Restaurants popular with the local celebrity entourage include Lucky’s and Jeannine’s, but there is an unspoken rule in Montecito that they should be treated like everybody else – so don’t hassle them during a family dinner!
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5. Spend an evening at The Funk Zone
Rapidly evolving into Santa Barbara’s most up-and-coming neighbourhood, The Funk Zone is located between the beachfront and Highway 101. This former manufacturing and industrial district is now a buzzy area bursting with street art, cool restaurants, craft beer taprooms and vintage shops – making it ideal for a late afternoon or evening of exploring.
As many as 16 local wineries also call The Funk Zone home, and it’s safe to say that California wine tasting is a certified must-do. Then take your pick from Mexican, Italian and Californian cuisine for dinner.
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6. Hike to Inspiration Point
With such natural beauty surrounding California on all corners, it would be rude to not take a hike. Thankfully, Santa Barbara has plenty of routes ideal for getting those walking boots dusty – and Inspiration Point is one of its most popular.
Suitable for most walkers, this 3.5-mile (5.6km) round trip route starts a short drive from the Mission. Follow the road north towards the Botanical Gardens and follow Tunnel Road to the end, where you can park. The trailhead begins here and heads uphill to a summit offering epic views of the city and across the ocean to the Channel Islands. It’s a relatively short hike that can be done in a couple of hours, but we advise heading up there for sunrise or sunset. They're both magical.
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7. Take a trolley tour
Short on time or want to get around the main attractions quicker? Then a trolley tour is your friend. Hop on Santa Barbara’s original and longest running trolley tour and saunter towards hot spots like Stearns Wharf, the Harbour and Old Santa Barbara Mission with ease.
Available for private excursions alongside the popular daily 90-minute public sightseeing tours, all tickets come with money off vouchers for other local attractions, including 20% off bicycle hire.
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Lead image: Danita Delimont/Shutterstock
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