Megan & Colin
Exploring Santa Barbara
About Santa Barbara
Welcome to our favorite weekend getaway! Santa Barbara is a Spanish-colonial coastal town a couple hours north of Los Angeles. Historically home to the Chumash tribe, it was colonized by Spanish missionaries before the Mexican-American War. It's now known as the "American Riviera" for its Mediterranean climate and gardens, food and wine scene, and home to Julia Child and other Hollywood figures. The area is nestled between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Channel Islands with opportunities for beach days, boat trips, and hiking or biking. Just 45mins drive over the mountains to the north is the Santa Ynez Valley, a prominent wine region. Below are our recommendations for your free time!
The Neighborhoods
Most of the weekend's events will take place near Downtown Santa Barbara. We also recommend the Funk Zone and harbor area, a neighborhood near the water with plenty of tasting rooms and cafes, galleries, and the Wharf. It's a 5-10 minute Uber from our venue.
Coffee and Breakfast
Helena Avenue Bakery Dart Coffee + Garden Dune Coffee Roasters Handlebar Roasters Alessia Patisserie & Cafe Renaud's Patisserie & Bistro
Dining
Barbareno (nicer) Loquita (nicer) The Lark (nicer) Satellite SB (nicer, vegetarian) Bibi Ji 2.0 (nicer) Third Window (casual) Secret Bao (casual) Tamar (casual) The Nook (casual) La Super-rica (casual, cash only, tacos etc) Taqueria Rincon Alteno (casual, tacos/burritos)
Wine & Beer Tasting
Third Window Brewing & Potek Wine Fess Parker Pali Wine Co. Corks n' Crowns Topa Topa Brewing & Lama Dog
Things to Do
The Courthouse Museum, Viewing Tower, & Gardens Lotusland (reservation-only garden) Santa Barbara Bontanical Gardens Old Mission Santa Barbara Santa Barbara Historical Museum & El Presidio The Wharf
Outside of Santa Barbara
Explore wine country by driving to some of the vineyards in the Santa Ynez Valley, about 30-45mins over the mountains. You can also stop into two of our favorite towns, Los Olivos and Los Alamos, for tastings and great restaurants. About 20mins along that route there is a famous tri-tip sandwich at Cold Spring Tavern. You can also take a few hours for a boat cruise from the harbor where you'll see dolphins, views of the Channel Islands, and chance of whales.