Taking a day trip to Santa Barbara is always incredible – the sun, the beach, the delicious food, and the beautiful architecture all make the city feel like a dream getaway.
There are many great activities in Santa Barbara and tours for all interests, from learning more about California history to adventuring in one of the most scenic and pristine coastal cities.
Let’s explore more below.
At A Glance
How Far Is Santa Barbara From Los Angeles?
If you’re starting your Santa Barbara day trip in Los Angeles, the drive to Santa Barbara will take you about 2-3 hours, depending on the time of day you leave and the traffic. Nevertheless, the drive itself is gorgeous; the 101 freeway runs along the coast for ocean views a good portion of the way.
Santa Barbara also has a small airport that’s very simple to fly in and out of, especially for first-time flyers. It’s just north of the city and is frequently adding new flights from big cities across the U.S. It’s an option for those looking for a quick Santa Barbara vacation but can sometimes be pricey.
Top Attractions For A Day In Santa Barbara
For just one day in Santa Barbara, you’ll likely want to hit some of the most popular attractions such as:
1. Old Santa Barbara Mission
The most popular thing to do in Santa Barbara is the iconic Old Mission. With its distinctive pink façade and Spanish-style architecture, it’s quite a picturesque building.
The Old Mission has a community of Franciscan friars still living in it today as well as the active church that was built in 1820. It has a beautiful park and gardens surrounding it that make for a great picnic spot.
You can take a 1-to-2-hour self-guided tour of the Mission where you’ll also walk through the La Huerta Historical Garden, cemetery and museum that houses art pieces and artefacts from the colonial period.
For more California history, stop at the El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Site. El Presidio is a fortified military settlement founded by the Spaniards in 1782. The self-guided tour covers the Chapel, Comandancia, Padre’s Quarters, and reconstructions of some of the important rooms.
2. The Santa Barbara County Courthouse
Another popular thing to do in Santa Barbara is to visit the Courthouse. Not typically something on a top attractions list, this courthouse is unique for how stunning the architecture and gardens are.
The Courthouse is a National (and State) Historic Landmark built-in 1929. Take in the views from the outside, as well as the tiled corridors, hand-painted ceilings, and ornate artwork throughout the inside.
The highlights of the Santa Barbara Courthouse are the Mural Room, which is a painting that showcases Santa Barbara’s history, and the El Mirador clock tower.
Climb the clock tower for some of the best views of downtown Santa Barbara, the mountains, and all the way out to the ocean.
3. Stearns Wharf
Built in 1872, it’s one of the longest deep-water piers in California. Walking along the wharf, you’ll have incredible views of the coastline as well as plenty of great restaurants, unique shops, ice cream (don’t leave your trip to Santa Barbara without trying Mc Connell’s Ice Cream!), the Sea Center, and one of the two Santa Barbara Natural History Museum sites.
The Sea Center is a wonderful aquatic museum and aquarium that is especially great for kids. You will learn about central California marine wildlife and get up and close with (and even get to touch) some of the animals at the interactive exhibits.
4. Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
Set on 78 acres of natural woodland, the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is full of over 1,000 types of native California plants and trees. From the gardens, you’ll have stunning views of both the gorgeous mountains and the ocean while you wander the more than 5 miles of trails.
Make sure to check out the wildflower meadow and Japanese teahouse and gardens and make a stop at the historic Mission Dam and aqueduct. There are often events hosted at the Botanic Gardens such as bird walks, classes, and featured exhibits.
The gardens are often packed on the weekend, so buying tickets in advance for the Botanic Garden is a must.
5. Shop On Paseo Nuevo And State Street
There’s a ton of great shopping in Santa Barbara, from mainstream and high-end stores to boutiques and unique local shops. State Street is the main strip of the city and a 10-block pedestrian walkway lined with shops, restaurants and bars.
Paseo Nuevo is a popular shopping centre directly off State Street to take a stroll through while you wander down State Street.
BONUS: Take a day trip to Santa Barbara during the annual Old Spanish Days Festival “Fiesta.” It typically occurs for a week at the beginning of August and is a celebration of the city’s history, spirit, and culture that began in 1924.
It’s a fun week full of demonstrations and live performances, a parade, and pop-up markets full of crafts and souvenirs. Fiesta is characterized by streets full of people and confetti celebrating Spanish culture and traditions. The restaurants and bars are always packed, and live music can be heard everywhere downtown, all week.
It’s one of the most popular and exciting events that Santa Barbara hosts and is a must-do experience!
Activities And Unique Things To Do For A Day Trip To Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara is wonderful for both the city sites and gorgeous nature. For more activities and things to do when you visit Santa Barbara:
1. Explore The Quaint Coffee Shops
There are quite a few great coffee shops in Santa Barbara such as Dune, Handlebar and Santa Barbara Coffee Roasting Company. The most unique chain of all is Cajé. They of course have great coffee but are unique because there are multiple locations across Santa Barbara that each has a distinctly different vibe and slightly different menu.
The Cajé I highly recommend visiting is across from the Arlington Theater on State Street. It’s a stunning location (often used as a wedding venue!) and serves signature coffee cocktails. The Haley St. Cajé also has nice vibes and “fancy” cocktails and even occasionally (it’s not advertised) turns into a speakeasy at night with a full bar.
2. Take A Scenic Bike Ride
Sunny Santa Barbara is always perfect for a bike ride. Rent bikes and take them along the Cabrillo Beach Bike Path. Start with a rental at Stearns Wharf and cruise along the bike path that goes for miles in either direction along the beaches.
2 of the most popular beaches to stop at are Montecito’s Butterfly Beach to the east and Leadbetter Beach to the west.
Or you can take a bike ride from Stearns Wharf up State Street to the Old Mission. It’s about 3 miles one way through the downtown, which will provide a quick overview of the city that’d be a good starting point for your day.
3. Go Wine Tasting
There are plenty of incredible wine-tasting venues in and around Santa Barbara. For a more casual tasting, try out any of the wineries in the Funk Zone area. Pali Wine Company, Paradise Springs Winery or Santa Barbara Winery have some of the best wine tastings.
Or for a bit more of an adventure, try out the Sunstone Winery. Located 35 minutes north of Santa Barbara in the Santa Ynez Valley is this hidden gem for those looking for a gorgeous California vineyard. It has been voted “Santa Barbara’s Favorite Red Wine” and “Best Santa Ynez Valley Tasting Room” by the Santa Barbara Independent.
The winery is decorated with French-inspired courtyards, stone barrel-ageing caves and picnic tables under the olive and oak trees. The wonderful wines that can only be bought on-site make for a memorable wine tasting activity.
4. Try A Water Sport
The ocean and beaches are a big draw for those wanting to do a day trip to Santa Barbara. Try out any number of water sports such as surfing, kayaking, boating or stand-up paddleboarding. There are plenty of rental spots and even lessons you can take down by Stearns Wharf.
A fun thing to try out is the Santa Barbara Landshark tour. The 90-minute narrated tour starts on land and drives into the ocean at the harbour where the tour continues from the water. You’ll get a fun tour of the city and might see some sea lions, dolphins, or even whales during the boat part of the tour.
Or take the Lil’ Toot Water Taxi, Santa Barbara’s original waterfront taxi. It’s a 25-minute narrated boat tour between the Santa Barbara Harbor and Stearns Wharf. Kids love this tour, but it’s fun for all ages!
5. Go For A Hike
One of the best things to do in Santa Barbara is the easy access to both the mountains and the beaches. If water sports aren’t your activity of choice, go for one of the stunning hikes up in the Santa Ynez Mountains.
One of the most popular Santa Barbara hikes is Inspiration Point, which has some magnificent views over the whole city of Santa Barbara and the coast. For more of a bouldering challenge with a rewarding, orange-tinted waterfall at the end, try Tangerine Falls.
If you’re in Santa Barbara from November to February, the Monarch butterflies migrate through here and can be seen at the Goleta Butterfly Grove.
Situated on the Goleta bluffs, there are a few trails through the trees that take you to the cliffs and some that have beach access. The Goleta Butterfly Grove is a beautiful and lesser-known spot for a stroll, picnic or watching the sunset.
Best Bars And Restaurants In Santa Barbara
You honestly can’t go wrong with finding great food in Santa Barbara. Any of the restaurants near the water will be great, here are some recommendations for places to go in Santa Barbara:
1. Zaytoon
Somehow Zaytoon is rarely mentioned in places to eat in Santa Barbara, which makes it hands down the best-hidden gem restaurant in the area and the one place I always have dinner at every time I’m in town!
Zaytoon is a Lebanese and Middle Eastern restaurant with a delicious gourmet menu and a beautiful patio. It’s a hidden oasis full of flowers and greenery with fire pits, live entertainment and a beautiful fountain and architecture.
2. Los Agaves
There’s great Mexican food in Santa Barbara, but Los Agaves is especially great. It’s not a very fancy restaurant but has an incredible menu. My personal favourite is their seafood enchiladas and burritos.
NOTE: If you want more street-style tacos, try Lilly’s Taqueria!
3. Boathouse At Hendry’s
For brunch, you must check out this restaurant that sits directly on the beach. They have delicious eggs benedicts for breakfast, great seafood for later in the day, and a fantastic happy hour as well. Yum!
For another brunch option, the popular Cajun Kitchen chain is always a hit. The menu has Cajun and Mexican influences that make for some delicious dishes and unique breakfast options.
4. The Funk Zone
This is an area just up from the Wharf that has multiple craft breweries, wineries, and cocktail bars. It’s great during the day to hang out with friends and hop between places. The best breweries are Figueroa Mountain, Topa Topa, and Biergarten. For some incredible cocktails try Seven or Test Pilot.
5. Shaker Mill
Shaker is a cute bar on State Street for a more casual drink. They have fantastic hand-shaken cocktails (try their espresso martini!) and a great, laidback atmosphere.
Santa Barbara is a beautiful city with plenty of fun, unique things to do and see during a day trip along the California coast.
Whether you prefer shopping, museums, and tours or you want to explore the natural wonders of the area, you’ll find something amazing to do in Santa Barbara.
