This three-day itinerary showcases Santa Barbara at its most polished, pairing coastal mornings, standout dining and thoughtful downtime. For travelers planning a luxury escape, the destination’s renowned resorts and boutique hotels place these experiences effortlessly within reach.
For more planning inspiration, explore additional luxury experiences that layer naturally into this itinerary.
Day 1: Coastal Arrival & a relaxed welcome
Ease into Santa Barbara with pastries and espresso from Bree’Osh Bakery or Renaud’s Patisserie, followed by a stroll along Butterfly Beach as the coastline begins to shimmer.
Spend the late morning browsing the curated retail experience The Post and shops along Coast Village Road, where boutiques like Wendy Foster, Jenni Kayne and Marisa Mason set the standard for coastal chic wear.
In the afternoon, retreat to The Spa at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara for a massage and time to unwind overlooking the Pacific.
For dinner, head to Marisella for coastal Californian-inspired plates served with sweeping ocean views. Cap the night with a live performance at the historic Granada Theatre or The New Vic, two of Santa Barbara’s premier venues for music, dance and theater.
Day 2: Wine Tasting, Art & Michelin-Starred Dining
Start the day slowly with breakfast at Merci Montecito on Coast Village Road or Field + Fort in Summerland, both local favorites for quick and delicious breakfast bites.
Begin wine tasting with a private, seated experience inside the 12,000-bottle wine cellar at San Ysidro Ranch’s Ty Warner Wine Collective, then move over to the Funk Zone to sip on the Foley Family portfolio of wines at The Society: State & Mason at Hotel Californian or venture to the Presidio neighborhood for a visit to Loubud Wines, known for its sparkling wines and signature hand-carved puzzles.
Spend the afternoon immersed in Santa Barbara’s art scene, from the world-class exhibitions at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art (particularly its most current exhibit, The Impressionist Revolution: Monet to Matisse), to thoughtfully curated collections at Tamsen Gallery. Downtown and the ARTS District are dotted with galleries worth wandering at your own pace.
Enjoy golden hour drinks at Local Montecito before an unforgettable dinner at Caruso’s at Rosewood Miramar Beach. The Michelin-starred restaurant delivers Italian-inspired coastal cuisine rooted in California ingredients, served just steps from the shoreline.
Day 3: Wellness, Gardens & an Elegant Send-Off
Begin your final day with a wellness reset — choose a private halotherapy session at Salt Cave Santa Barbara or a cold plunge and sauna experience at Soul Care Studio + Sauna.
For brunch, settle in at Scarlet Begonia, where seasonal California cuisine highlights local produce and thoughtfully sourced ingredients.
Late morning is devoted to one of Santa Barbara’s most extraordinary experiences: wandering the lush, meticulously curated gardens of Ganna Walska Lotusland, a botanic wonderland tucked into the foothills of Montecito. Reservations are required and well worth planning ahead.
Before departing, savor something sweet at Chocolate Maya, toast the trip with a glass of sparkling wine at Satellite or opt for a refined tea service at one of these refined afternoon tea experiences — a relaxed, indulgent farewell to The American Riviera®.
