Santa Barbara Itinerary: Best Things to Do + Eat

Santa Barbara is one of those places that we keep coming back to—because it feels like a peaceful slice of paradise with good food and wine! What more can a California foodie ask for?

Living in Los Angeles, it’s an easy and dreamy escape from the city. Santa Barbara is all about good vibes and beautiful views, and every time we visit we can’t wait to go back.

So I’ve rounded up my top planning tips, favorite place to stay, and a 2-day itinerary that’s packed with the best food, sights, and wineries this charming town has to offer (+ some bonus ideas if you plan to stay longer) .

This post is perfect for anyone planning a Santa Barbara itinerary!

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Pro Planning Tips for Santa Barbara

Getting to Santa Barbara

The closest airport when visiting Santa Barbara is the Santa Barbara Airport (SBA), just 8 miles and a 10-15 minute drive from downtown. 

But Santa Barbara is a super easy road trip from Los Angeles, about 90 minutes and a little over 100 miles. 

If you don’t have a car, the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner is a fun way to get to Santa Barbara! It even has some scenic views of the ocean along the way. Order a glass of bubbly and kick off your wine county getaway early. 

Where to Stay

We recently stayed at the Mar Monte Hotel was an absolute dream! Our room (and many of the rooms on property) had a balcony with an ocean view. Perfect for sipping coffee and starting your morning with the sound of the waves.

The Mar Monte is stunning, and totally worth it if you want to splurge for the average $250 –  $350/night rate. But to be honest, I was traveling on a work trip and not on my own dime. If I were paying my own way, here are a few options I’d consider:

• Agave Inn — Affordable
• Harbor House Inn — Amazing location near the beach
• Hobbit Haven — Unique! An adorable hobbit house!

Don’t Forget!
Book your stay on VRBO, Booking.com, Priceline, or Expedia to claim your cash back from Rakuten.

This is one of my 7 Favorite Hotel Booking Hacks that I use on every trip!

2-Day Santa Barbara Itinerary

Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Santa Barbara and planning the perfect 2-day itinerary!

• Day 1: State Street, Winery and Beach Dinner
• Day 2: The Funk Zone + Santa Barbara Pier

DAY 1

Coffee/Breakfast at Dart Coffee

Not only does Dart have fabulous coffee, but we love it for the vibes. There are colorful lanterns lining the entrance, open-air indoor/outdining during warm weather months, and finally their adorable garden across the street to enjoy your coffee. If I’m heading to Santa Barbara, this is exactly where I wanna start my day (well, after a first coffee on my balcony at the Mar Monte of course). 

Walk Around the State Street Promenade

Walking around State Street is a great way to take in Santa Barbara. The 10-block stretch between Sola and Gutierrez has been closed to car traffic, making it super accessible to pedestrians and a fun walkable area with shopping. It feels very European! You won’t need a ton of time here, but it’s worth exploring.

Visit a Santa Ynez Winery

Most people visit Santa Barbara for the wine, and I am proud to say I am also one of “most people.

There are over 200 wineries in the Santa Ynez Valley, so you can only scratch the surface. And after extensive research and several winery visits, here are a few of my top wineries near Santa Barbara.

Sunstone Winery

I love the Tuscan-style patio vibe at Sunstone! It’s perfect for a picnic because they allow you to bring your own food. It’s also just a few minutes outside of Solvang, an adorable Danish town.

Pro tip: grab desserts/pastries in Solvang from Esko’s and take them to Sunstone to enjoy with your wine pairing. 

Roblar Winery & Vineyards

THE best winery food! We picked Roblar specifically for the farm-to-table menu I kept reading about online, and it was spot on. They have their own farm where they grow vegetables and wildflowers, in addition to the wine. They even have a produce stand out front, and they sell at the local farmers market. The vibe is rustic, but elegant and the patio was perfect on a summer afternoon. 

It also ended up being some of our favorite wines! There are suggested pairings listed on the menu, or you can opt for a flight. Our server was fun and personable and made the experience even better. 

Rideau Vineyards

Rideau Winery is an adorable winery to hang out on a summer afternoon, with the friendliest staff around! We’ve been twice and they were super welcoming and helpful both times.

Grab a wicker chair under the covered patio, a picnic table, or a wine barrel with Adirondack chairs in the lawn. The garden is beautiful, and they told us to take our wine up to walk around in the upper vineyards. Charming spot!

Dinner at Reunion on the Beach

It’s hard to beat a meal by the ocean… Dinner at the beach is just a vibe! To be honest, that’s why we picked Reunion Kitchen + Bar.

We were really impressed with the Mai Tai and the club sandwich, but we could tell that everything was good quality. They also have a happy hour on weekdays. 

Walk the Beach

Before or after you grab dinner at Reunion Kitchen, spend some time walking around on the beach and listening to the waves.

DAY 2

Coffee/Breakfast a Helena Ave Bakery

For day 2, stick close to the Funk Zone and take a “bar crawl” approach to your day. The perfect start to this for breakfast is Helena Ave Bakery. 

They have a pretty extensive menu with pastries, salads, breakfast plates and coffee. We tried the fried chicken breakfast biscuit sandwich with pepper jelly, and it was delicious. 

Explore the Funk Zone

The Funk Zone is definitely Santa Barbara’s newest trendy pocket. What used to be warehouses and shops, were revitalized to trendy wine bars, restaurants, and breweries. 

There are so many great places you could explore in the Funk Zone, but let’s highlight a few faves:

• Beer at SB Biergarten
• Craft tiki cocktail at Test Pilot — I had a tough time deciding on my cocktail because everything sounded really good, and every drink I watched them make nearly swayed me to changing my mind. 
• Snacks or lunch at The Lark
• Wine, wine and more wine — Check out some of the Funk Zone wineries on the Urban Wine Trail (map below)

Dinner at Loquita

OMG this place is the BOMB! I’ve now visited twice and loved every bite and sip. Loquita was named on the Michelin Guide in 2024 and I can see exactly why. They the flavor on both the food and cocktails. 

And the open kitchen concept has a really fun energy. We enjoyed watching the team call out items and work together harmoniously like a work of art. You can see the pride and effort that goes into each plate.

Because of my shellfish allergy, I rarely get to order paella. They have not one, but TWO non-shellfish paella options on the menu. We got the chicken paella and literally scraped every last grain of rice out of that skillet. 

I could go on and on and on and on about Loquita, but I’ll spare you here. If you wanna see more and tips on what to order, check out my full review. 

Sunset on the Pier/Beach

The Santa Barbara pier and the surrounding beach path make for a perfect sunset walk in warm weather. Or if you don’t feel like walking, you can rent bikes and bike along the Cabrillo Bike Path from Leadbetter Beach to Butterfly Beach (4.5 miles). Wheel Fun Rentals is super convenient, just a block from the pier.

I love the tall wispy palm trees (my favorite kind of palm) that line the street. This area is a great way to end your day, and your trip as a whole.

More Fun Things to Do in Santa Barbara

If you have extra time or prefer to explore the food scene with a tour guide, here are more fun things to do, see and eat in Santa Barbara!

• Take a quick road trip to the charming little Danish town of Solvang (40 min drive)
• Feed an ostrich at Osterichland USA (40 min drive)
• Drinks at Caruso’s in Montecito. This comes super highly recommended from a friend who has never led me astray!
• Coffee at Handlebar
• Visit the Santa Barbara Zoo
• See live music at the Soho House
• Finneys Crafhouse – omg the nachos…
• If you’re visiting in July, check out the California Wine Festival with over 100 wineries!

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Best Things to Do + Eat in Solvang

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Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Santa Barbara from Los Angeles?

Santa Barbara is approximately 110 miles, around 90 minutes drive, from Los Angeles. This makes it an easy day trip by car, or by train via the Pacific Surfliner.

What is Santa Barbara known for?

Santa Barbara is known for its stunning beach, Spanish-style architecture, world-class wine country. It is also the birthplace of Katy Perry!

Which airport is best for visiting Santa Barbara?

The closest airpot to Santa Barbara, California is the Santa Babara Airport (SBA), about 8 miles and 10-15 minutes from downtown. Other nearby major airports you could fly into and rent a car from include Los Angeles (LAX), Burbank (BUR), and Long Beach (LGB).

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Ready to Plan Your Santa Barbara Itinerary?

There you have it! This is exactly how I would craft a perfect 2-day foodie itinerary in Santa Barbara. Feel free to copy paste, or make it your own.

I’m confident you’ll love your trip. Drop me a comment with your favorite Santa Barbara spots, or what you’re excited to experience.

Happy travels!

-Hannah