Santa Barbara Day Trip Itinerary: Best Activities and Attractions

Santa Barbara is about 90 miles north of Los Angeles, making it an easily accessible destination for a day trip. However, we highly recommend starting your trip early in the morning to make the most of your time there. The area offers many activities, including wine tasting, zoo visits, bike riding, whale watching, and much more! If you want to experience all Santa Barbara fully offers, it may be worth considering spending at least one night in the area.

Fun Things To Do in Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara Zoo: A Must Do When Traveling With Kids

The Santa Barbara Zoo, rated as the best mid-size zoo on the West Coast, is a must-visit destination that should be added to your itinerary. It is perfectly sized for children and features a fantastic train that circles the zoo. There are some excellent displays thanks to the generous donations by the zoo’s membership. Known as the world’s most beautiful zoo, the Santa Barbara Zoo’s location is in a lush botanic garden overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The zoo is at 500 Ninos Drive, just 2 miles south of Stearns Wharf. Visit Website.

Take a Tour of Old Mission Santa Barbara

The Santa Barbara Mission is at 2201 Laguna Street in Santa Barbara, California. Visitors can take both self-guided and docent-led tours. While the interior of the Mission attracts the largest crowds, you can escape the masses by wandering outside to the Sacred Garden. This garden is filled with exciting cacti and succulents and was once a working area for the inhabitants of the Mission. The garden is accessible every day of the week and is fragrant with the scent of flowers. Visit Website.

Explore Nature At The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is 1.5 miles inland from the Old Mission Santa Barbara to the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. This 78-acre garden is divided into sections based on themes such as mountains and the California Channel Islands. You will also encounter a creek that used to be the primary water source for Mission Santa Barbara. The garden is located at 1212 Mission Canyon Road. Visit Website

Santa Barbara’s Historic Stearns Wharf

If you’re visiting Santa Barbara for the first time, Stearns Wharf is a great place to start. This historic pier offers a variety of options, including restaurants, museums, and charter boats. You can also enjoy breathtaking views of Santa Barbara and the surrounding mountains. Consider renting a beach cruiser from a rental shop near the pier for a fun activity. There are many bike paths to explore, with many visitors following the trail from Stearns Wharf to Shoreline Park and back. Visit Website.

State Street Promenade Shopping & Dining

State Street in Santa Barbara is a vibrant district featuring various shops, from boutiques to art galleries and trendy outlets. There are also many dining options, ranging from fast food to gourmet cuisine. The State Street Promenade, situated in the downtown area, is a well-liked tourist spot that spans around ten blocks. This section of State Street is completely car-free, meaning you can take a stroll, browse, shop, enjoy a drink, and have a meal while relishing State Street’s architectural beauty, sights, and sounds without worrying about traffic.

Visit The Reagan Ranch Center

The Reagan Ranch Center is situated near the Amtrak station on State Street. It houses several unique collections, including the Lorraine Wagner Letter Collection, a collection of nearly 300 letters written by Ronald Reagan over 50 years, and the Russell D. Sibert Collection, which showcases rare Reagan-related memorabilia like campaign buttons, posters, and commemorative items. The center is located at 217 State Street and offers free admission. Visit Website.

Ganna Walska Lotusland: One of the 10 Best Gardens in the World

When visiting Santa Barbara, Lotusland is a must. This remarkable garden is home to over 3,000 plants worldwide and is situated on Madame Walska’s historic Montecito estate. The garden’s focal point is a breathtaking swimming pool transformed into a stunning display of lotus flowers during summer. You can easily find Lotusland by taking Cold Springs Road or Sycamore Canyon Road. Visit Website.

Shoreline Cafe Leadbetter Beach: A Local Favorite

Enjoy a delightful dining experience at Shoreline Cafe in Santa Barbara, where you can indulge in breakfast, lunch, and dinner while enjoying the stunning beach views. You can dine on their glass-enclosed deck or directly on the beach with your feet on the sand. The menu at Shoreline Cafe is casual and offers a variety of dishes, including sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, tacos, and fresh fish. You can also quench your thirst with beer, wine, and cocktails. The cafe is located at 801 Shoreline Drive. Visit Website.

Lunch or Dinner at Boathouse at Hendry’s Beach

For a higher-end dining experience by the beach, we suggest checking out the Boathouse at Hendry’s Beach. This restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner and is a favored spot for many in Santa Barbara. While the location influences prices, they are not excessively high. Fresh seafood is the main attraction, but chicken and steak dishes are also available. At sunset, the wait can be 45 mins or longer. 2981 Cliff Drive, Santa Barbara. Visit Website.

Douglas Family Preserve Breathtaking Views

Located just south of Hendry’s Beach, the Douglas Family Preserve is a 70-acre coastal open space within the city limits. Visitors can enjoy three miles of dog-friendly walking trails, breathtaking views of the Santa Barbara coastline, and even a spot for a hang glider launch. The property, which used to be a nursery, was named after actor Michael Douglas, who significantly contributed to preserving public land. Visit Website.

Take a Side Trip to Cold Spring Tavern

Cold Spring Tavern has remained unchanged since its construction. Originally known as the “Cold Spring Relay Station,” Travelers could get off the stage, enjoy a noon-day meal, and wet their whistle while the horses were changed for the next leg of the journey. Situated in a canyon filled with oak trees, its buildings resemble those in old Western movies. Among them are the original tavern, the 1873 Ojai jailhouse, Treasures and Trash Gift shop, a cabin for road workers, and the Log Cabin Bar, which is only open on weekends. Visit Website.

Staying Longer? Try a Lake Cachuma Yurt

Nestled in the Santa Ynez Valley, you’ll find the stunning Lake Cachuma. This serene location offers a range of activities, including fishing, camping, and hiking. For those seeking a camping experience that blends comfort with adventure, a Lake Cachuma Yurt may be just what you’re looking for. All you need to bring are your sleeping bags and supplies, as everything else is provided.

Goleta Santa Barbara’s Easterly Neighbor

Goleta is a great option for travelers who want to visit Santa Barbara without breaking the bank. While plenty of activities are available in Goleta, the main attraction is the beaches. Compared to Santa Barbara’s beaches, Goleta’s are typically less crowded, making them perfect for a peaceful day trip or a romantic getaway. Goleta Beach Park, in particular, is a great destination for families and couples. The park boasts a 1,500-foot-long fishing pier and covers 29 acres of outdoor space, perfect for cycling or a stroll.

Explore Santa Barbara Wine Country

The Santa Ynez Valley is renowned for its top-notch wineries and tasting rooms, accessible via a simple drive. In addition to wine tasting, tourists can indulge in perusing art galleries, clothing boutiques, and antique stores. Families will also discover plenty of outdoor activities, including apple and berry picking, bicycling, hiking, and fishing in nearby Cachuma Lake and Nojoqui Falls Park.

Solvang Danish Village: Santa Barbara Side Trip

Visitors from Santa Barbara can take Highway 154 to the charming Danish village of Solvang. This popular tourist destination in California attracts over a million visitors annually. Visitors can admire Danish windmills and half-timbered houses, indulge in freshly baked pastries from local bakeries, or sample wines at the downtown tasting rooms. The travel time to Solvang is approximately 40 minutes. Visit Website.

Visit Santa Barbara By Train

Highway 101 experiences heavy traffic on summer weekends, going to and from Santa Barbara. To avoid the rush, it’s best to start your trip early. One fun way to get to Santa Barbara is by taking the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner, which has four scheduled stops every day of the week. Plus, several hotels are within walking distance of the station.

Explore The California Central Coast

The California central coast region is generally considered Santa Barbara County, north of Monterey Bay. This area has secluded beaches, natural wonders, and hidden gems.

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