The Perfect Itinerary for Visiting this Charming Seaside Town

Nestled between the Santa Ynez Mountains and cerulean Pacific coast, Santa Barbara beckons visitors with its historic charm, pristine white sand beaches, quaint downtown, and sweeping views of turquoise waters and the Channel Islands, not to mention a healthy dose of sunshine. Here’s how to spend the perfect week in this charming seaside town!

WHERE TO STAY

**SANTA BARBARA INN**

*An Upscale Boutique Hotel on the Water*

Just steps from the sand, this boutique hotel anchors the southern end of iconic Cabrillo Boulevard, just a short stroll from the infamous Stearns Wharf making it the perfect home base for your trip.

The hotel’s design embodies the spirit and soul of Santa Barbara with its Spanish architecture and Mediterranean flare.

It features 70 rooms and suites that combine comfort and luxury, each with its own balcony, most of which have dramatic sweeping views of the shore.

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL

**Check-in** - Get settled in your accommodations at Santa Barbara Inn. Standard check-in time is around 4 pm, but you can call ahead to see about checking in early. I usually have no issue doing so.

**Catch the Sunset at Santa Barbara Inn** – Santa Barbara Inn sits right across the street from a long stretch of white sand beach Take a stroll and let the salt air brush across your cheek, toes in the warm sand. You can often catch dolphins playing as the sun sets over the sea, a rare advantage of a south-facing beach.

There is nothing quite like a Santa Barbara sunset lighting up the distance mountains as they cascade down into the Pacific, swallowed by the sea.

**Drinks & Dinner at Convivo** – As you will likely be tired from traveling, I suggest reserving a table at Convivo, the onsite restaurant at Santa Barbara Inn for your first night in town.

Convivo boasts a unique menu of classic Italian dishes including homemade pasta and wood-fired pizza, as well as fresh seafood and steak. Everything is carefully curated using only the freshest ingredients and cooked to perfection by world-renowned chef, Peter McNee. The upscale restaurant also features a full size bar with microbrews on tap, regional wines and specialty tequilas.

**Relax After Dinner**– The outdoor terrace at Convivo has gas lanterns to keep you warm as well as a wood burning outdoor fireplace creating a romantic ambiance with the Pacific Ocean as its backdrop. Enjoy an after dinner drink al fresco as you listen to the waves.

After dinner is also a great time to take an evening dip in the heated pool or relax in the jacuzzi before hearing to bed.

DAY 2 - STEARNS WHARF, THE MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY SEA CENTER & KAYAKING

**Sunrise** – Grab a cup of coffee at Convivo and head outdoors. Convivo and Santa Barbara Inn sit directly across the beach from the pristine waters of the Pacific with views of the Channel Islands in the distance. The sun rises to the east allowing you enjoy the morning sky coming to life as you head down the pedestrian walkway toward the wharf and Jeannine’s for breakfast.

**Walk to wharf** - Running parallel to the long stretch of white sand beach that leads to the Stearns Wharf is a pedestrian walkway, lined on both sides by towering palms as far as the eye can see. This makes for a perfect morning stroll.

This time of day, the Channel Islands are usually wrapped in a low lying fog that is almost surreal, a mystical backdrop to the many sailboats lining the shore, teetering rhythmically in the quiet of the cool wind. The chatter of couples out for their morning jog drowned by the sound of the waves as they pass, dog in tow.

**Breakfast at Jeannine’s** – Jeannine’s is a café that is well-known to the locals, located directly across the street from Stearns Wharf. It serves delicious pastries and breakfast dishes. Get there early as this French styled café gets extremely busy. They have a great outdoor patio with bright yellow and white striped umbrellas and heaters for cooler mornings.

**Sunday Cabrillo Boulevard Arts & Crafts Walk** - Every Sunday, year round, local artisans set up booths on Cabrillo Boulevard just a half mile away from the hotel to sell their arts and crafts to passersby. You can explore these unique items as you make your way to breakfast or on your way back from the wharf.

**Stearns Wharf** – Stearns Wharf is a must visit for anyone staying in the area and is located about a mile down the beach from Santa Barbara Inn. The Wharf was completed in 1872 and was an immediate commercial success. As you walk along the creaking wooden planks, you will hear sea gulls screeching overhead, high in the sky and marvel at the pelicans skillfully diving into the waves in the distance searching for their morning catch. The wharf is home to several restaurants and an array of quaint little gift shops. At the end of the pier, anglers can be found casting their lines into the rhythmic flow of the tides below.

**Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center** - Be sure to take some time to explore The Sea Center located on the wharf with its multitude of live exhibits of marine life discovered in the waters around the wharf and the Santa Barbara Channel.

Even adults will feel the excitement of a curious child as they touch the sharks, rays, sea stars and squishy sea cucumbers in the petting tanks. You will be mesmerized by sea horses slowly dancing toward one another in the water, and an octopus cleverly making its way across the tank, its tentacles flowing slowly and methodically across the glass like a mesmerizing lava lamp of old.

**Lunch at Moby Dick’s** - Once you’ve had a chance to explore the museum and shops around the wharf, you will have no doubt worked up an appetite. Enjoy a relaxing lunch with an ocean view at Moby Dick’s.

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**SUP/Kayak/Jet Ski Rentals** - Rent a kayak pr SUP through Santa Barbara Sailing Center and explore the harbor from the water. Be sure to check out the seals soaking up the sun on buoys swaying slowly in the calming waves near the wharf. They often put on quite a show barking and pushing each other from their perch fighting for a spot to rest.

If you’re looking for more speed, jet skis are also available for hourly or daily rentals.

**Deep Sea Tasting Room** - Conway Family Wines has an upstairs wine tasting room on the wharf serving handcrafted Deep Sea and Conway wines with stunning views from a higher vantage point. Head over after lunch for a glass of wine with a view.

**Dinner** –
Below are a few recommendations for dinner.
Happy Cat Eats – Innovative twists on street foods in a casual atmosphere across from the beach.
Flor de Maiz – Classic Mexican dining with great cocktails and al fresco dining.
Toma Restaurant & Bar – A premier waterfront restaurant serving classic cocktails and Italian-inspired Mediterranean cuisine.

Before heading to bed, you may want to spend some time unwinding and relaxing around the outdoor fire pit at Convivo or enjoying a soak in the outdoor heated jacuzzi.

DAY 3 - FUNK ZONE AND URBAN WINE TRAIL OR VISIT MONTECITO

**Morning Sunrise & Breakfast at Convivo** – Grab a bite to eat downstairs at Convivo and watch the sun rise across the street over the ocean.

**The Funk Zone/Urban Wine Tour** – Spend today exploring Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone - an artsy district of Santa Barbara spanning between the Pacific Ocean and Highway 101, adjacent to the Amtrak station. The area is known for its converted warehouse, graffiti murals, music, and contemporary art.

The area is home to boutique shops, tasting rooms, cafes and art galleries.

Here, you can also find the largest section of the **Urban Wine Tour Trail** – a self-guided trail with over 20 tasting rooms, all within blocks of each other, where you can indulge in representative Santa Barbara County wines from local wineries.

If you opt for exploring the Funk Zone, try Pali Wine Co. or The Lark for lunch. Be sure to also explore Cutler’s Artisan Spirits, the city’s first distillery since Prohibition dedicated to producing top quality spirits.

**Explore Neighboring Montecito** – Another option for today is to explore the quaint downtown area of Montecito located on Coast Village Road. They say this is where timeless sophistication meets coastal charm. Located just 10-15 minutes from Santa Barbara Inn, Montecito boasts an array of boutiques, upscale eateries and fine art.

**Lunch in Montecito** - If you decide to spend the day in Montecito, be sure to dine al fresco for lunch at my favorite Mexican restaurant in the area – Los Arroyos. If you’re in mood for something more like pub food, try the Honor Bar which also has outdoor seating that makes for great people watching.

After lunch, be sure to head down Coast Village Road to Caffe Luxxe or Bree’osh Bakery Cafe for an after lunch caffeine filled pick me up.

Get Groceries for Your Day Trip Tomorrow at Tri-County Produce (VERY Important) - Tomorrow will be spent at Channel Islands National Park which has no services. You will need to bring a packed lunch, snacks and water. Located just down the street from Santa Barbara Inn is Tri-County Produce. You can walk there in minutes and it’s the perfect spot to pick up fresh fruit, breads, lunch meats, and other snack foods for the trip. It’s really important to do this or you will regret it tomorrow. The market is typically open daily from 8 am to 8 pm.