Photo credit: Blake Bronstad
No California road trip is complete without a day spent in The American Riviera®. From breakfast to dinner spots and everywhere in between, you’re sure to find an endless amount of fun, including golden-sand beaches, eclectic neighborhoods, serene hiking trails and award-winning restaurants, bars and wine-tasting rooms.
Here are some ideas to help you start planning your perfect day in Santa Barbara.
Breakfast at a Local Santa Barbara Restaurant
Start off your Santa Barbara adventure with a breakfast that’s as vibrant as the town itself. Whether you’re in the mood for a light pastry and an iced matcha or a hearty meal that fuels your day’s explorations, Santa Barbara is brimming with cafes and restaurants that won’t disappoint.
Across the street from Stearns Wharf sits Jeannine’s where the lemon poppyseed pancakes and ricotta scrambled eggs on sourdough toast steal the show. In the mood for a California-style breakfast burrito? On The Alley has you covered. From the classic mix of eggs, cheese and your choice of potatoes or tater tots and add-ons like chorizo or bacon, each bite is pure satisfaction. And for those craving something sweet, the made-from-scratch brown-butter cinnamon rolls, banana bread and blueberry-lemon scones from Helena Avenue Bakery are not to be missed.
Find more breakfast and brunch spots or take a quick detour to one of the many cozy coffee shops in Santa Barbara.
Morning Hike at Rattlesnake Canyon
Santa Barbara is not just a beach lover’s paradise; it’s also a hiker’s dream! With its unique blend of coastal and mountain scenery, this area offers some of the most beautiful hiking trails in California. One standout is Rattlesnake Canyon, a 4.5-mile roundtrip trail.
The moderately challenging route begins at a trailhead adjacent to Skofield Park. The trail is mostly shady and takes hikers through lush greenery, around colorful wildflowers and across babbling streams. Along the way, you’ll also experience scenic views of downtown Santa Barbara, the Pacific Ocean and the surrounding Santa Ynez Mountains.
Experience Santa Barbara’s Top Attractions
After your hike, it’s time to experience Santa Barbara’s rich culture and unique attractions. While you won’t have time for them all, here are a few top options to choose from.
For Nature Lovers: Discover the natural beauty of the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, featuring over 1,000 native California plant species across 78 acres. Explore diverse landscapes, from redwood forests to coastal deserts, while enjoying stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
For History Buffs: Walk the halls of the city’s most iconic and picturesque site — Old Mission Santa Barbara — and learn why the building is touted as the “Queen of the Mountains” on a self-guided tour. Docent-led tours are available Friday and Saturday.
For Art Aficionados: Housed in a former post office, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art’s renowned 25,000-piece permanent collection spans centuries, with work ranging from contemporary installations to 19th-century French antiques.
For Families: Get up close with more than 146 species of mammals, reptiles, birds and insects at the Santa Barbara Zoo. Choose from a variety of wildlife encounters, like the Penguin Fish Toss and Leopard Training Wall, where you can watch the zoo’s trainers work with majestic Amur leopards.
For Thrill Seekers: Experience Santa Barbara from a new perspective with Santa Barbara Parasail. You’ll take off from the water, gently ascending up to 1,000 feet in the air, where breathtaking views of the ocean, mountains and city await.
For Beach People: Santa Barbara is home to miles of public beaches. Enjoy a rousing game of volleyball with locals at East and West Beach. Go stand-up paddleboarding in the calm waters at Refugio State Beach. Or catch one of coastal California’s best surf breaks, Rincon Point, at Rincon Beach.
Lunch at Santa Barbara Public Market
Located downtown, the Santa Barbara Public Market is a bustling food hall that showcases a diverse array of locally sourced cuisine. To name a few, savor robust Thai flavors at Empty Noodle Bowl or Three Monkeys. Sweet-toothers can skip right to dessert at Rori’s Creamery. Other vendors at this popular downtown gathering place include: Corazon Cocina, Ca’Dario Pizzeria, Little Heart Cafecito, Wabi Sabi and Little Bird.
Go Shopping on State Street
Charming boutiques, name-brand stores and cozy art galleries line State Street, the beating heart of downtown. From Sola to Gutierrez streets, the entertainment and retail district has been transformed into a 10-block pedestrian-friendly promenade making it easy to hop from shop to shop all afternoon long.
Some can’t-miss shopping destinations on State Street include Paseo Nuevo, downtown’s largest shopping center; Arlington Plaza, where locally owned luxury retailers are around every corner; and Sevilla Square, an ideal stop for shoppers seeking eclectic clothing and other hidden treasures. Every Tuesday and Saturday, the promenade also hosts the Santa Barbara Certified Farmers Market, which features more than 50 regional purveyors.
State Street is also home to Santa Barbara’s ARTS District, a dynamic hub of vibrant shops, arts and culture collectives, and restaurants. Book an intuitive reading at Paradise Found where you can also browse its collection of books, candles and crystals. Uncover unique trinkets, antiques and household goods at Lewis & Clark. And start building your capsule wardrobe with luxe velvets, ready-to-wear silks and eye-catching jacquards at local designer Catherine Gee’s boutique and showroom.
Explore the Funk Zone
Continue your journey into Santa Barbara’s trendiest neighborhood — the Funk Zone. Here, old warehouses have been adorned with graffiti murals and converted into surf and vintage shops, wine bars, brewpubs and much more. Sip on made-in-Santa Barbara vinos at 20-plus tasting rooms along the Urban Wine Trail like Whitcraft and Santa Barbara Winery. Browse Loveworn’s incredible collection of timeless denim and The Blue Door’s array of rare antiques. Visit the interactive MOXI, the Wolf Museum of Exploration & Innovation, a family favorite. Or go on a self-guided brewery tour — Figueroa Mountain Brewery Co., Brass Bear Brewing & Bistro, Lama Dog Taproom + Bottle Shop and Topa Topa Brewing Co. are all worthy of a stop.
Watch the Sunset at Stearns Wharf
Before dinner, make your way to Stearns Wharf and marvel as the sun goes down over the Pacific Ocean. Watch as the sky transforms into a palette of orange, pink and gold, casting a glow over the sparkling waters. Stearns Wharf is also a great spot to capture stunning photos, search for kitschy souvenirs and learn about local marine life at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center.
End Your Day with Dinner by the Ocean
There’s no better way to cap off a day in Santa Barbara than dinner on the beach. Put your toes in the sand (literally!) at Shoreline Beach Cafe while sipping margaritas and snacking on seafood street tacos. Reunion Kitchen + Drink serves up a large menu of hearty meals with a side of ocean views. Head to the breathtaking Rosewood Miramar Beach where a world-class gastronomic journey at Michelin-starred Caruso’s awaits. At Boathouse at Hendry’s Beach, delight in roasted crab cakes, clam linguini and decadent lobster rolls. All the dishes are best served alongside one of their signature cocktails, like the Dropkick made with vodka, jalapeño, watermelon, lemon and soda. Click here to discover more restaurants on the beach.
A single day in Santa Barbara barely scratches the surface—plan for a few more and make the most of this coastal paradise.
