Things To Do
Hit The Beach
Each of the hotels are steps away from the sand, but there are plenty of other beaches close by to explore! East Beach is walking distance from downtown, but Butterfly Beach and Miramar Beach are a few of our favorites since they offer a bit more of a secluded beach experience away from the hustle and bustle of downtown SB. If you don't mind hopping in the car for a few minutes, they're worth it!
Hike Inspiration Point
This is a great hike that's quick and easy and ends with a spectacular view of the whole city of Santa Barbara with the Pacific Ocean as a backdrop. The hike is 3.5 miles total out and back with 944 feet of elevation gain.
Hike Rattlesnake Canyon
One of our favorite hikes. It's a bit more challenging if you're looking to break a sweat while soaking in some awesome views. Hike is 4.9 miles with 1,584 feet of elevation gain.
Miramar Beach Bar
If you're looking to grab a drink with an ocean view, Miramar Beach Bar is the spot. One of Santa Barbara's best beaches is just steps away from the bar. The bar is part of the Rosewood Miramar Hotel, so you do have to walk through the hotel grounds to get there. Parking can be difficult on most nice days so it's generally best to Uber there. It's a 10 minute drive from downtown Santa Barbara.
Stearns Wharf
Just a short walk from most of the recommended hotels. Stearns Wharf is the iconic pier in the harbor in downtown Santa Barbara. The pier is home to seafood restaurants, bars, and a great wine tasting spot called Deep Sea Tasting Room where you can enjoy a glass of wine with a breathtaking view. You can also check out Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center located on the pier as well.
Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. Santa Barbara
One of our favorite hangout spots in Santa Barbara. It's in the heart of the Funk Zone so lots of other restaurants, coffee shops, bars, and wineries within walking distance. Has indoor and outdoor seating and live music so great spot to sit outside and have a beer.
Bike Down State Street
Biking down State Street is the best way to explore downtown Santa Barbara and check out its shops, restaurants, bars, and wineries. There are a ton of bike rental shops in town that will rent bikes by the hour, and some hotels will offer them for free for day use so be sure to check with your hotel if you'd like to bike around town.
Sandpiper Golf Club
If you're looking to hit the links, Sandpiper Golf Club is a great option. It's a public course about 20 minute drive from downtown Santa Barbara, and it features a bunch of holes with fantastic ocean views.
Wine Tasting
There are too many wine tasting rooms in Santa Barbara to list! You can find most of the best tasting rooms in the Funk Zone area (walking distance from the Harbor View Inn and Santa Barbara Inn) as well as the Historic El Paseo area off of State Street. El Paseo features historic Spanish-style architecture and a beautiful courtyard in addition to the tasting rooms.
