It’s no wonder why Rosewood Miramar Beach achieved Forbes Travel Guide’s Triple Five-Star rating for the second consecutive year in 2025, including awards for the resort itself, Caruso’s restaurant and the sumptuous Sense® spa. This upscale resort with an elegant yet casual atmosphere offers Estate-Style™ service, an entirely personalized, incredibly attentive experience. Altogether, Rosewood Miramar Beach features six restaurants and bars, six retail boutiques and dedicated pools for adults and families.

Perched on a hillside with sweeping Pacific Ocean views and surrounded by seven acres of lush terraced gardens, El Encanto, a Belmond Hotel offers peaceful seclusion fit for Hollywood royalty. The resort — once a hideaway for stars including Clark Cable, Carole Lombard and Hedy Lamarr — was granted a Four-Star rating in Forbes Travel Guide’s 2025 Star Awards for its hospitality.

Photo credit: KT Merry

Named the World’s Most Romantic Hotel in the 2024 Boutique Hotel Club Awards, San Ysidro Ranch is legendary for a reason. Most recently, the resort was recognized in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2025 Gold List as one of the best hotels in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean, and received a Four-Star rating in Forbes Travel Guide’s 2025 Star Awards. The ranch’s romantic history (Vivien Leigh and Sir Laurence Olivier exchanged vows in the garden and John F. Kennedy and Jackie O. honeymooned here) and luxurious offerings make it a quintessential Santa Barbara sanctuary.

Steps from the beach on the Santa Barbara Waterfront, the Hotel Californian was recognized with a Four-Star rating in Forbes Travel Guide’s 2025 Star Awards for its central location and exquisite Spanish Colonial and Moroccan architecture. The hotel is next door to the vibrant Funk Zone, inviting guests to sip and savor their way through buzzy restaurants and boutique tasting rooms.

Old California style meets modern comfort at the Harbor View Inn, which snagged a Recommended rating in the 2025 Forbes Travel Guide. Close to Santa Barbara’s main beach, State Street and the Funk Zone, this family-friendly stay makes an ideal getaway in the center of it all, with a fitness center, gift shop, and heated pool and Jacuzzi rounding out the perks.

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The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara is luxury at its finest, landing a Recommended rating in Forbes Travel Guide’s 2025 Star Awards. The resort encompasses 78 acres with two natural beaches, flowering gardens, three saltwater infinity pools, a spa and wellness center, five restaurants and more.

Caruso’s at the Rosewood Miramar Beach has no shortage of praise, earning both a Michelin Star and a Green Star for sustainable dining in the 2022, 2023 and 2024 editions of the guide. With a seasonal menu crafted by renowned Chef Massimo Falsini, the restaurant showcases the cuisine of California’s Central Coast while paying homage to Falsini’s Italian heritage.

The Stonehouse at San Ysidro Ranch has been honored with Wine Spectator’s Grand Award every year since 2014. The building was once a citrus-packing factory but now houses an impressive wine cellar of 2,100 labels and 15,500 bottles. Serving contemporary American cuisine with fresh, local ingredients, Stonehouse also scored a Recommended rating in Forbes Travel Guide’s 2025 Star Awards.

Ranked America’s #6 Best Wine Region in USA Today’s 2024 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, Santa Barbara County’s dynamic wine scene boasts a wide variety of vineyards and wine experiences, from customized tastings to boutique tours. The Santa Ynez Mountains and their fertile valleys create unique weather conditions that happen to be prime for grape growing, allowing multiple varieties to thrive in Santa Barbara County. Wine aficionados can explore many popular tasting rooms within Santa Barbara by exploring the Urban Wine Trail, as well.

Out of 129 entries in the International Dark Lager category at the 2024 World Beer Cup, Third Window Brewing Co.’s “The Dark” claimed the gold medal. Sample an assortment of brews — including crisp lagers, farmhouse beers, abbey-style ales and stouts — then stick around for legendary smashburgers and events at the Santa Barbara taproom.

Named the #1 Kayak Tour in the U.S. by USA Today readers in 2024, Santa Barbara Adventure Company offers a variety of guided excursions to scenic spots like Channel Islands National Park and the Gaviota Coast. Each tour is led by an experienced guide, and the company also offers stand-up paddleboarding and surfing lessons.

Enjoy picturesque views as you run through the city and along the beachfront during the Santa Barbara Half Marathon, ranked #2 among the 25 Fastest Growing Half Marathons in the U.S. in 2025 by Half Marathon Guide. After receiving your medal, celebrate at the Funk Zone Finish Line Festival, featuring local food trucks, live music and more.

This distinctly Santa Barbara event secured the #4 spot in the Best Wine Festival category in USA Today’s 10Best list in 2024. Pinot producers, renowned chefs, sommeliers and wine enthusiasts come together for a weekend of celebration and education at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara.

A runner-up for Best Zoo in USA Today’s 2025 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, the Santa Barbara Zoo is home to more than 350 animals representing 101 species. Families can enjoy immersive experiences like giraffe feeding, goat-brushing and other up-close animal encounters.

Santa Barbara Airport landed the #5 spot on Newsweek’s 2025 Readers’ Choice list for Best Small Airport, thanks to its easygoing atmosphere, scenic setting and smooth travel experience. The ranking highlights what locals and visitors already love about SBA — it’s a stress-free gateway to the Central Coast that doesn’t skimp on service or charm.

Photo credit: L. Anderson