The Perfect One Day in Santa Barbara Day Trip Itinerary

Last Updated on 27th June 2023 by Sophie Nadeau

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Ideal romantic escape, lively city break, or unique day trip from Los Angeles, Santa Barbara has always attracted road travelers and day trippers with its endless opportunities for a fun day away. Even if you only have one day in Santa Barbara, you’ll soon discover that there is plenty of ways to enjoy a short sojourn in the city.

In this article, you can check out some of the best things to do in Santa Barbara in a day, some of the town’s main attractions, and all the places you cannot miss. You’ll also discover our suggestions for some of the best accommodation in town if you do end up planning to stay overnight.

Where is Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara is a seaside city in the state of California on the west coast of the USA. The city is just under 2 hours northwest of Los Angeles and lies at the base of the Santa Ynez Mountains.

Basic Things to Know for a Santa Barbara Day Trip

Santa Barbara, California received the first Spanish immigrants back in the eighteenth century who reached the area with the intent of evangelizing the area. 

Originally part of the Mexican territory, the vast California area was acquired by the US after the Mexican American War, and as a consequence, the once small settlement with a few adobe huts soon became an exclusive city.

Later on, Santa Barbara became an important seaside resort, especially thanks to the Gold Rush era, a moment in US history that brought incredibly prosperity to the territories in the west of the country.

With mild weather, plenty of sunshine, and pleasant temperatures all year long, Santa Barbara can be a great destination to spend a day, a weekend, or even a whole week exploring, shopping, and tasting a huge range of super wines produced in the magnificent nearby wine county. 

Although summer is the most popular time to visit, especially if you’re into water sports and seaside activities, the same opportunities can be enjoyed early in spring and in the last weeks of autumn. It’s not odd to find early and late swimmers (but also surfers) in less warm months.

Getting around Santa Barbara

If you’re wondering about how is best to move around in town, you’ll be happy to learn that Santa Barbara is quite a pedestrian-friendly city, making it easy even for first-time visitors to move around and discover beautiful areas without spending extra money on public transport or car rental. 

However, if you’re driving along the Pacific Coast Highway (i.e. one of the best road trips in the USA) and Santa Barbara is one of the planned stops, do not worry, driving around can be quite easy, certainly less stressful than it can be in larger cities in California. Besides, parking is easy to find and often times quite affordable too.

One Day in Santa Barbara

Funk Zone

There is no better way to start the day than having a super tasty breakfast. Whether you’re looking for a quick shot of espresso or a huge cup of decaf, your best bet is to check out one of the many amazing coffee shops in the Funk Zone, an area just steps from the coast where you’re likely to spend at least an hour of your day. 

Over here, most cafeterias feature a variety of delicious morning pastries, muffins, waffles, and crepes, both sweet and savory.

The place has a great vibe, and colorful street art, but also many cool restaurants, wine bars, and hip food joints as well as fantastic hotels. Walking around this district before or after your early morning shot of caffeine is a must.

Santa Barbara’s Beach

Next up, head to the seafront. Santa Barbara’s main beach is quite close to the Funk Zone so it will be easy to reach on foot. Enjoy a lazy stroll while soaking in the views of the sea and the palm-tree-lined coastal promenade. Or you can simply sit on the warm, fine sand and spend a few minutes under the warm Californian sun.

If you prefer to walk a bit more, it’s a good idea to reach the end of State Street and visit Santa Barbara’s pier, Stearn’s Wharf. Over here, you should definitely devote a few minutes to walk along the wooden wharf for an incredible postcard-like view of the city’s skyline. 

Built back in 1872, Stearn’s Wharf is the oldest wooden wharf in continuous use in California. The wharf has several shops, restaurants, and even an original shellfish market to visit!

Learn how to surf

If you’re visiting during the cold season, you can keep exploring the area either on foot or by hiring a bike. Alternatively, if the weather is warm and sunny, this is just the right spot to spend the rest of the morning learning how to surf. 

There are several places offering surf lessons along the waterfront. There are also other water sports centers offering courses or equipment rental for you to enjoy on the beaches of Santa Barbara. Kayaking is very popular while SUP (stand-up paddle board) is the trendiest thing to do!

Museum of Art

Not a sporty type? Don’t worry, there are still plenty of places to visit in Santa Barbara. If paddle board is not your thing, head downtown to visit Santa Barbara’s Museum of Art, an interesting place hosting more than 25,000 works of art by American, Asian, and European artists. 

This beautiful museum is housed in the old city post office, this is an interesting building not just for its history, but also from an architectural point of view. In the museum, you will also find a fantastic cafeteria and a well-assorted souvenir shop.

After spending some time at the museum, why not visit an exotic garden? Lotusland is located in a former private home that belonged to a former Polish opera singer, as exotic and eccentric as the plants, trees, and flowers that you’ll be able to see.

The place became a botanic garden after the death of the artist and the beautiful, green retreat is now open to the public for peaceful walks leaving the lively Funk Zone behind.

Lunch in Santa Barbara

When lunchtime arrives, why not choose one of the top restaurants in Santa Barbara? The well-known Finch & Fork is the place to go! 

This American Grill downtown Santa Barbara serves comfort food and grilled fish dishes all from fresh local ingredients often paired with unique cocktails or a bottle picked from the extensive wine list. 

Old Mission Santa Barbara

Old Mission Santa Barbara is your next stop. This Spanish mission often described as the Queen of the Missions is arguably one of the most beautiful missions in California. It was founded by the Franciscans back in 1786, on December 4, the day the church celebrates Saint Barbara. 

The beautiful Colonial building has two impressive bell towers and is surrounded by a garden with plenty of fruit trees and fragrant flowers. From the garden, don’t miss the perfect view of the gorgeous Saint Ynez Mountains.

Today, the mission is not just a place of worship, but it also features a gift shop, a museum, a friary, and a retreat house.

The Lobero

If Santa Barbara’s cultural scene makes you curious, then the perfect way to end the day in Santa Barbara is The Lobero. This institution was founded back as far back as 1873 but was rebuilt about fifty years later. 

The Lobero is the oldest continuously performing theatre in California as well as an architectural wonder in town that for years has presented on stage many local art groups such as the city’s Chamber Orchestra and the State Street Ballet.

Funk Zone

End your day heading back to the Funk Zone for a walk along its streets filled with unique shops. This is the ideal place to find a few Santa Barbara souvenirs. This is also the right area to pick a good restaurant for dinner. 

However, before sitting at the table, why not check out at least a few wineries that make up the Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail?

Still in the Funk Zone, you will find more than twenty different wineries and wine-tasting rooms serving some of the best labels made in California. They all offer quite affordable tasting flights.

Dinner in Santa Barbara

If wine is not your thing, it will be easy to find the perfect dinner in Santa Barbara.

For Mexican food, nothing like La Super Rica Taqueria, a place that serves affordable and delicious tacos as well as other typical dishes from Mexican gastronomy. This place has a varied beer list too.

Is Italian food what you love? Then Santa Barbara’s waterfront is the place to go. Set on a beautiful historic building, Toma is a romantic restaurant with breathtaking views of the harbor, open both for lunch and dinner.

Burger lovers will adore Finney’s Crafthouse & Kitchen, a family run restaurant on State Street serving delicious patty sandwiches and offering a wide beer list. The place is a perfect spot also for brunch or just to enjoy the happy hour in town. 

Another great Italian restaurant is Olio e Limone Ristorante, it may be a bit pricier but definitely worth a try. If what you’re craving is a good pizza instead, check out the next-door restaurant, Olio Pizzeria, a perfect pizza house and wine bar in Santa Barbara.

Where to Spend the Night in Santa Barbara

So you’ve come to Santa Barbara for just a day and the city stole your heart? Why not spending the night in town to enjoy a second day in this lively coastal city?

If this is your case, you may now be looking for a convenient place to spend the night and enjoy the second day in Santa Barbara… Here below, you’ll find a list with several places that suit all budgets. However, if you’ve made your decision to stay to last minute, be ready to pay a bit extra for the night.

These are the places we recommend for a night in or near Santa Barbara:

Budget accommodation in Santa Barbara 

Villa Rosa Inn is an affordable place to stay in Santa Barbara situated steps from the beach and featuring a small garden and a pool. You can also enjoy a free rich continental breakfast as well as free evening wine tasting with snacks every day. Check prices and availability here.

Oasis Inn and Suites is a 10-minute drive from downtown and within walking distance of several good restaurants. The place features rooms with convenient coffee-making facilities and there is also a pool at the property. Check prices and availability here.

Medium-range accommodation in Santa Barbara

Pacifica Suites is located in Goleta, a 15-minute car ride from central Santa Barbara. The hotel is surrounded by a lush grove of trees and it features an outdoor pool and hot tub in a garden setting only 5 minutes from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport. Check prices and availability here.

Motel 6-Santa Barbara, CA – Beach is located in the area of East Beach. This pet-friendly motel has an outdoor pool and modern guest rooms only a 5-minute drive from State Street. Check prices and availability here.

Luxurious accommodation in Santa Barbara 

Best Western Plus Santa Barbara is a 4-star hotel less than 5 kilometers from Stearn’s Wharf. It has a heated outdoor swimming pool and hot tub while all rooms have mini-refrigerators and coffee makers. There is also an on-site restaurant open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Check prices and availability here.

Coast Village Inn is a beautiful spot where to spend the night in Santa Barbara featuring a heated outdoor swimming pool and free beach cruiser bicycles for guests. There is also free tea and coffee served, at all hours, at the lobby. Check prices and availability here.

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Gabi Ancarola is a journalist and travel writer who has lived over 20 years in Italy, and has been living in Crete for the last five years. She hosts culinary tours, translates and writes for her Crete travel blog The Tiny Book. She’s written for Greek Reporter and published several travel guides about Greece.