What to Do During a Weekend in Santa Barbara
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From exploring beautiful beaches, to wandering around and appreciating stunning architecture, and enjoying some absolutely amazing food, it doesn’t get much better than a weekend in Santa Barbara. It will always have an extra special place in my heart since my husband and I eloped here, but it’s also just such a fun city that’s the perfect weekend destination.
If you’re not sure where to start during your weekend in Santa Barbara, you’re in the right place.
I’d recommend spending about three days here, which gives you a good amount of time to balance activities and relaxation, but you could definitely fill your time if you choose to stay longer.
Best Things to Do in Santa Barbara
Visit Stearns Wharf
The historic Stearns Wharf is home to a number of little gift shops and restaurants, a tasting room, an ice cream shop, and the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center.
Since a trip to Santa Barbara should be all about leisure, it’s worth taking a walk along the nearby East and West beaches and then wandering through this iconic landmark.
It’s a beautiful view, and the perfect spot to get some photos or watch the sunset.
On one visit here I spent 10 minutes just watching two seals (or sea lions? I’m not sure) swimming and playing with each other. It just doesn’t get more wholesome than that.
Relax at Butterfly Beach
Santa Barbara has a number of beautiful beaches, and you can’t go wrong anywhere you go, but Butterfly Beach, located in the Montecito area, just a 10-minute drive from downtown, is my personal favorite.
Unlike a lot of the other Santa Barbara-area beaches, this one is east and west facing, making it the best place to catch the sunrise or sunset.
It’s also a popular option for kayaking, paddle boarding, surfing, swimming, or if you’re like me and barely go in the water (I know, I know) — sunbathing.
Dogs are also allowed to be on-leash here. There are no facilities on this beach (it’s relatively small), but you’re just a 5-minute walk from an area with restaurant and retail options.
Wander around the Funk Zone
This is an artsy, and super popular area in downtown Santa Barbara mostly known for its restaurants and bars. It’s in the same area as Santa Barbara’s downtown, so it’s super easy to reach, and no trip to Santa Barbara would be complete without checking it out.
Go on a wine tasting
It’s no secret that Santa Barbara is a wine destination. My first trip here a few years ago with a friend, pretty much all I remember doing was going to different wine tastings.
While that’s not really my speed nowadays, it’s still fun to check out one or two while you’re here.
You could go all out and go on a vineyard tour — there are several all along the Santa Ynez mountain range for you to choose from. Santa Barbara Wine Country Tours is a popular pick.
You could also just enjoy a tasting right in town, which is what I have done on my past visits.
Along the Funk Zone and State Street, the main street in Santa Barbara’s downtown, are a handful of winery tasting rooms where you can pop in and sample their tasting menus or get a glass of wine for a reasonable price.
Margerum Winery and Carr Winery are both highly rated, but there are a ton to choose from — check out Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail for a full list.
On my most recent visit, I went to the recently opened Longoria Wines, where there were two different tastings to choose from. One was $25 per person while the other was $30, and each included samplings of five different wines. (732 State St.)
Explore the Courthouse
Visiting a courthouse isn’t a usual stop you make on vacation, I know.
While it’s true that I have an extra soft spot for the Santa Barbara Courthouse because this is where I got married, this courthouse is also just exceptionally beautiful and is worth it if you like taking photos or just checking out beautiful architecture like I do.
The Spanish Colonial revival-style architecture, gardens, and entire indoors area seriously puts other courthouses to shame.
Inside, you can check out the Mural Room, and take a walk up to the clock tower (for free!), which gives you an amazing panoramic view of Santa Barbara.
Enjoy some art at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art
Between the wine tastings and beach trips, maybe you’re looking for a bit of culture on your trip, and if so, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art is the place for you.
This gorgeous museum is home to ancient to contemporary art as well as my personal favorite, photography.
When I visited I just walked in, but reservations ahead of time are suggested. Tickets are $10 for a non-member adult, except for on Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 8, when admission is free.
The Santa Barbara Museum of Art is open Tuesdays through Sundays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m, and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The museum is closed on Mondays, and check online for holiday scheduling.
Best Santa Barbara restaurants
A highlight of visiting Santa Barbara is just wandering around and stumbling upon amazing spots. While there’s no shortage of great places to eat here, these are some places that I’ve loved.
Although I’m usually a little more frugal when it comes to my food spending on trips, Santa Barbara really just has so many nice restaurants, so a couple of these suggestions are on the pricier end, in case you have a higher budget or are celebrating something special while you’re visiting.
El Encanto at Belmond Hotel
This meal is a splurge — just getting that out of the way first. But if you’re looking for somewhere romantic, to celebrate an occasion, or just somewhere extra special, this is your spot.
If it’s warm enough outside, definitely try to get seated on the patio. The view alone makes this place worth it, but food also felt super fresh and high-quality.
Both my husband and I tried seafood dishes which were amazing, and the desserts, which included a goleta lemon, a lemon curd dish with yuzu mousse, was both presented beautifully, and honestly just one of the best desserts I’ve ever had.
El Encanto is open from 7 a.m. to 11 for breakfast, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch, and from 5:30 p.m. until 10 for dinner. Check out the dining options at Belmond Hotel here.
Toma Restaurant & Bar
This cozy Italian-inspired restaurant was another splurge with a romantic ambiance and absolutely mouth-watering menu.
Whatever you do, get the tuna cones appetizer — My husband and I inhaled them, along with crispy artichokes with pickled sweet peppers, lemon aioli, and gremolata. I had a pasta dish with seafood for dinner, that was really flavorful and delicious, and the phyllo crisp dessert was unique and equally amazing.
Just reminiscing about this restaurant is making me hungry — trust me when I say that this was one of the best meals I’ve ever experienced. Toma opens daily for dinner at 5 p.m. Check out the menu here.
The Daily Grind
This hidden gem is apparently a favorite among locals, so I’m told, especially for its breakfast burritos, that can be loaded with your meat of choice or spinach. I added avocado to mine, and when paired with spicy red salsa, it did in fact live up to the hype.
Apart from their burritos, they have bagel sandwiches, a robust coffee and smoothie menu, and a number of sandwiches and salads for lunch. Plus (and maybe most importantly) everything is affordably priced.
The Daily Grind is open daily. At its 2001 De La Vina location, its hours are 5:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. At its 2912 De La Vina spot, it’s open from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Check out the menu here.
Reunion Kitchen + Drink
If you’ve spent time in Orange County, you may have visited one of Reunion’s other locations. But if you’re looking for a moderately-priced spot with classic but delicious American cuisine, their Santa Barbara location is worth a stop.
We stopped here since it was super close to where we were staying, and you can’t go wrong with any of their sandwiches, bowls or breakfast options.
Reunion is open from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturdays, and 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Sundays. View the menu here.
Jack’s Bistro & Famous Bagels
This place was an easy walk from our hotel, and we actually ended up eating here twice for breakfast during our recent weekend in Santa Barbara.
It has an array of bagel, breakfast and lunch options available, with most options being fairly affordable. As a New Jerseyan, I’ll be the first to admit that I’m a bit of a bagel snob, but I did enjoy the Linden Avenue bagel sandwich, which had cream cheese, bacon, lemon pepper, and other toppings. The next day I had a veggie scramble that was filling, delicious, and under $14, which seems like a rarity in Southern California, especially for the quantity of food.
Jack’s is open daily from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. The full menu is available here.
Finney’s Crafthouse – Santa Barbara
This California-based chain restaurant in downtown Santa Barbara has a high-energy, casual vibe. Their menu is large and affordable, with all kinds of appetizers, pizzas, burgers and sandwiches, wings, and tacos, plus over 30 craft beers.
Finney’s Crafthouse is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. with a happy hour menu on weekdays from 3 to 5 p.m. Check out the menu here.
Loquita
Located in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone, Loquita is a highly-rated place I really wanted to try on my last trip, since I love Spanish food. Sadly the timing just didn’t work out, but it’s at the top of my list for next time.
Its menu is made up of mostly tapas and “bocaditos” or “little bites,” plus a handful of paellas.
Loquita is open Sundays to Thursdays 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. View the menu here.
Where to stay in Santa Barbara
Pacific Crest Hotel is a cozy local-owned 20-room hotel in a prime location — just half a block from the gorgeous East Beach and a short walk to the famous Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara’s downtown area and the Funk Zone.
From the outside, it looks more like a typical beach motel with a heated pool, but I was pleasantly surprised by the size, cleanliness and beachy-chic style of the room.
It was tucked far enough away from Downtown to still enjoy a quiet night, but close enough to easily access everything we needed.
Parking was also free, which can be hard to come by! Book it here.
While I like to prioritize affordable places to stay that are in good locations, if you have more in your budget, Santa Barbara has a ton of stunning accommodations to choose from.
Hotel Santa Barbara is absolutely gorgeous, located right on State Street (a main street in downtown Santa Barbara), and has a number of dining options right on-site, along with a spa.
For the budget traveler, Beachside Inn is another top-pick with an oceanfront location, a free continental breakfast, and heated pool.
Whether you’re looking for the perfect weekend getaway from the Los Angeles area, the perfect city to pair with a visit to Solvang, or, you’re planning the ultimate Central or Southern California itinerary, Santa Barbara is a gem you won’t want to skip.
