36 Hours in Santa Barbara, California
SANTA BARBARA IS THE AMERICAN RIVIERA
There’s a reason that Santa Barbara is known as the American Riviera, it’s because when you step foot on properties like the Ritz Carlton Bacara or the Rosewood Miramar Beach, you feel like you’ve been magically transported to a destination far, far away.
The Santa Barbara airport looks like it came straight out of a movie set, and it’s easy to navigate to both baggage claim and the rental car desks. While a car isn’t needed if you’re staying in Santa Barbara proper, it’s worth having one if you want to venture to towns like Santa Ynez, Los Olivios, Los Alamos, or Solvang.
Where to start: Well at the tasting rooms, of course! And luckily for me, The Ritz-Carlton has a tasting room on site! I got checked into my room with a spacious balcony and view of the action at the pool and then headed straight for the vino. Foley Food & Wine Society is the perfect place to get grounded, sip some Chardonnay, and map out your next move.
If your glass gets empty a little too fast then it’s time to head to the Funk Zone. Yes, it’s an odd name for a district that packed with over 15 tasting rooms, but that shouldn’t stop you from going! A 15-20 minute Uber will have you in the Zone with tons of tasting rooms, restaurants, and shops to explore.
Next up: Once you’ve sipped enough locally produced wine, take a stroll down State Street and head to the Wharf. It’s a great place to watch the sunset and an even better place to do it while you’re dining on fresh seafood.
Opt for any locally caught catch (I loved the Box Crab) and if the wait is too long at fan favorites like Santa Barbara Shellfish Company, head to the to-go window and grab a first-come, first-served picnic table. When I visited a guitarist was playing and there was plenty of space to enjoy oysters on the half shell and Dungeness Crab cocktail.
And last but not least: Solvang is probably the coolest city that I’ve ever encountered, and that’s saying a lot for someone who lives in New Orleans. Solvang, California is essentially a Danish town that sits 40 from Santa Barbara at the start of the Santa Ynez wine region.
If you’ve ever wanted to try Danish food, hear Danish music, or shop for Danish goods then a visit to Solvang is a must. It is a very popular weekend destination, so if you go, plan on going early, parking far away, and walking a bit to town.
Contact me when you’re ready to plan your next Santa Barbara getaway. It’s a great destination for everything from girls trips, to honeymoons, and solo vacations.