Things to do in Santa Barbara
Just an hour and a half from Los Angeles and about six hours from San Francisco, Santa Barbara is one of Southern California’s best weekend getaways. Known for its wide, sandy beaches, the city offers plenty of spots to catch the perfect wave—or the perfect sunset. Whether you’re visiting for relaxation, outdoor adventure, or coastal charm, there’s something for everyone.
This is my ultimate guide to a Santa Barbara weekend trip, starting and ending in San Francisco.
Saturday
Early Saturday morning, we set off from San Francisco around 6 a.m. After a scenic six-hour drive, we finally arrived in Santa Barbara and checked into our hotel near the beach. We stayed at Hotel Milo Santa Barbara, just a nine-minute walk from Stearns Wharf, the perfect base for a relaxed weekend by the ocean.
Right after checking in, we headed straight to the beach. Santa Barbara’s most famous beaches are located along the waterfront, close to Stearns Wharf and the harbor. East Beach, West Beach, and Leadbetter Beach are all connected by the palm-lined Cabrillo Bike Path, making it easy to explore the coastline. With beautiful weather on our side, we spent the rest of the day relaxing and soaking up the sun by the ocean.
Dinner and Party in Santa Barbara
In the evening, we headed to dinner at Stearns Wharf, which turned out to be the perfect spot to end our first day. Dining right over the water while watching the sun slowly set over the Pacific was a truly special experience. After an amazing meal, we took a leisurely stroll along the wharf and enjoyed the relaxed evening atmosphere.
Later on, we went out to experience Santa Barbara’s nightlife, which pleasantly surprised us. The vibe was fun and lively, the bars were busy but not overwhelming, and best of all, drinks were surprisingly affordable—making it an easy and enjoyable night out.
Sunday
After a long party night we decided to sleep in on Sunday and then we got Lunch in the harbour. On the Sunday we slept in and then we went out for lunch in Santa Barbara. After lunch we drove to Butterfly beach.
Don’t forget to visit the stunning butterfly beach!
I will remember this beach forever cause it was a typical California Beach which you can see in the movies all the time. In the evening we drove back to San Francisco. It was a very successful weekend.
Butterfly Beach
Things to do in Santa Barbara:
- Soak up the California surf life: Spend some time at the beach watching surfers, enjoying the laid-back coastal vibe and taking in the relaxed California lifestyle.
- Try SUP: Rent a stand-up paddleboard and explore the calm waters along the Santa Barbara coastline, especially around the harbor.
- Explore the botanic gardens: Wander through Santa Barbara’s beautiful botanic gardens and discover native plants, scenic trails, and peaceful viewpoints.
- Visit a wine region: Take a short trip to one of the nearby wine regions and enjoy tastings at local wineries known for their excellent California wines.
- Go whale watching: Join a whale-watching tour and experience the chance to see whales and dolphins up close in the waters off Santa Barbara’s coast.
Santa Barbara is also a perfect spot if you would like to do a Roadtrip through California.
All in all I can say that I really liked out Santa Barbara Weekend trip and I think it is ideal for a weekend getaway or year-round sunny vacation. Also, there are plenty of options for everyone and every budget when creating a Santa Barbara itinerary. For me, the best part of this weekend trip was the Butterfly beach.
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