Santa Barbara, USA Plan a trip
For beautiful beaches, world-class wines and a chance to experience that famously laid-back Californian lifestyle, make a beeline for Santa Barbara.
Known as the Californian Riviera, Santa Barbara boasts a stunning selection of serene and beautiful beaches. You’ll spend your days sunbathing and swimming, while the more adventurous can try out surfing, paddleboarding, kayaking and sailing. Visit from spring to early autumn, and you may even get the chance to see humpback and blue whales in the Santa Barbara Channel.
This is wine country, with over 50 types of grapes grown here. This means there’s a wine for everyone, and plenty of chances to spend blissful afternoons wine tasting across the region’s wineries. One of the best places to start is the Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail, with over two dozen wineries to choose from.
Santa Barbara also has an impressive food scene to rival neighbouring Los Angeles, boasting everything from next level tacos to farm-to-table restaurants celebrating the best locally grown produce. Top tip – join the queue at McConnell’s for a taste of their incredible ice cream. It’s well worth the wait.
This highly walkable city is architecturally pleasing, with must-see highlights including the iconic Santa Barbara Courthouse. It’s also a hotbed of hipster chic culture, especially in the boutiques, cafes and art venues of the Funk Zone. This is an up-and-coming area of Santa Barbara, packed with street art and bars serving local wine in hip settings.
And if you’re a hiking fan, skip the crowded hiking trails of LA and head out to Santa Barbara’s Coastal Vista Trail. The beautiful Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens are also well worth a visit.
Plan your trip to Santa Barbara today!