One of my close friends moved from Texas to Santa Barbara over 10 years ago and refused to come back! I’m moving here at some point lol. Thanks Christine Yi for the suggestions!
TOP THINGS TO DO:
- Watch shooting stars off San Marcos Pass (saw like 50+ shooting stars with Christine one night. One of my favorite experiences ever!)
- Visit the Santa Barbara Courthouse
- Walk along State Street
- Check out the beach / hike (best locations below!)
Places to Eat:
- Los Agaves (get the halibut/shrimp enchiladas!!!)
- Public Market (specifically Empty Bowl and Corazon Cocina)
- Sama Sama
- Handlebar Coffee Roasters
- Toma
- Sakana
- Bouchon
- Your Place
- Bree’osh
- The Lark
- Loquita
- Renaud’s
- McConnells
- Buena Onda
- The Nook
BARS AND WINE TASTING
- Wine tasting in the valley
- Funk Zone (wine tasting in SB)
- Lama Dog
- Shaker Mill
- The Good Lion
Hiking/Walking/Camping Options:
- Inspiration Point hike
- 7 Falls hike
- Walk on Elwood Bluffs (walk through the Coronado Butterfly Preserve)
- Lizard’s Mouth
- Gaviota Peak
- Grass Mountain (one of the hardest hikes I’ve ever done)
- El Capitan Canyon Campgrounds (There is glamping here!)
- Channel Islands and El Capitan State beach for camping
Water Activities:
- Whale watching
- Deep sea fishing
- Kayak/paddleboard
- Visit to the Channel Islands (stay overnight and camp)
- Sunset cruise
- Hendry’s Beach
- Butterfly Beach