What does adventure look like to you? For some, it’s all about fresh air and time spent outdoors. For others, it can be found in the pages of a restaurant’s menu. In Santa Barbara, the definition of adventure is as diverse as the travelers who seek it. Whether you consider yourself at home on the water or in a Michelin-starred restaurant, Santa Barbara invites you to explore and share adventures together.
Waterfront Kayaking
Discover Santa Barbara’s stunning coastline from a fresh perspective. Kayaking and paddling are favorite activities for both visitors and locals—rent a kayak or SUP from Paddle Sports Center, Santa Barbara Adventure Company or Santa Barbara Sailing Center and soak up the panoramic city views as you glide along the harbor. These local rental companies also offer guided kayak tours, where visitors can paddle alongside harbor seals, pelicans and other native marine life. No matter your interest or skill level, there are endless waterfront activities to explore
Sea-to-Table Delights
No visit to Santa Barbara is complete without tasting the bounty of fresh, local seafood. Head to Santa Barbara Shellfish Co. on Stearns Wharf, one of the area’s most beloved institutions, for a bite of local uni, steamed crab and more. Or enjoy a no-frills feast at Brophy Brothers, where you can enjoy fresh-caught seafood with a side of unbeatable harbor views. For an upscale outing, head north to Goleta for a sublime meal with a view at Angel Oak. Nestled in the heart of The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara, this restaurant offers guests floor-to-ceiling ocean views and an ever-changing menu that features locally-sourced seafood alongside steakhouse classics.
Golf with a View
Santa Barbara’s scenic golf courses are some of the most spectacular in the country, offering a game—and a view—you won’t soon forget. Located just steps from the seaside, Sandpiper Golf Club features mountain and ocean views at every hole and even claimed a spot on Golf Digest’s list of Top 100 Public Golf Courses in the Nation. Just north of downtown, Glen Annie Golf Club winds through rolling hills, delivering a challenging layout enhanced by sweeping panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and Channel Islands. Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or just along for the ride, Santa Barbara’s golf courses are worth a visit for the scenery alone.
Incredible Hiking
Thanks to its privileged location between the Pacific Ocean and Santa Ynez Mountains, Santa Barbara’s best hiking trails boast sweeping vistas and plenty of options for terrain. Get a glimpse of local flora at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, where walking trails take you from towering redwoods to cacti-filled deserts in one hike. The 1.3-mile Tipton Trail connects visitors to the eastern portion of the property and offers sweeping panoramic views of the surrounding area. Or grab a leash and bring your furry friends along on a hike to Inspiration Point, one of the city’s most popular trails, that rewards visitors with jaw-dropping coastline views. Ready for the ultimate adventure? Hop a boat to The Channel Islands, where unbelievable trails, wildlife and breathtaking scenery await just off the coast.
A Toast to Wine Country
Santa Barbara’s wine country is as approachable as it is world-renowned, offering an incredibly diverse variety of wines and unforgettable wine-tasting experiences. Reserve a table at The Stonehouse at San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito, a Wine Spectator Grand Award-winning restaurant, where dinner begins or ends with a tour of their 12,000-bottle wine cellar. Or enjoy an exclusive tasting experience that pairs sommelier-selected wines with a curated menu in their private dining space. In Santa Barbara, Sanguis offers appointment-only tastings at their beautifully restored warehouse in the heart of the city, while Jaffurs Wine Cellars and Carr Winery are both open daily for guests to stop by whenever the mood strikes. No matter how you sip, Santa Barbara promises a glass worth raising.
Michelin-Starred Meals
Take your Santa Barbara adventure to the next level of luxury with a meal at one of our many Michelin Guide restaurants. Rosewood Miramar Beach is home to Caruso’s, which has earned both a Michelin star and a Michelin Green Star for its farm-to-table menu and coastal California meets Southern Italian cuisine. For a meal steeped in regional flavor, head to Michelin-recommended Barbareño, where the ever-changing seasonal menu highlights local ingredients. Looking for something bold? Modern Indian restaurant Bibi Ji pairs natural wine with traditional curries for a meal that’s as flavorful as it is fun. Santa Barbara’s culinary scene is a feast for the senses—and a magnet for food lovers.