Santa Barbara’s Greatest Hits

Written By Ashley Jaramillo

Jump to: Overview of the American Riviera | Getting to, from & around Santa Barbara | When & How Long to Visit | Where to Stay | Map of Santa Barbara County | Wine Tasting & Tourism | Hiking & Beachgoing | Exploring the City of Santa Barbara | Where to Eat | Sample Itinerary

Ah, Santa Barbara. A coastal jewel just 100 miles north of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara has earned the nickname “The American Riviera” for good reason. A little slice of Spanish revival style heaven between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains, Santa Barbara is the perfect place to explore the great outdoors, kick back with an excellent glass of wine and spend the a few days California dreaming.

The city of Santa Barbara is located about two hours north of Los Angeles and four hours south of San Francisco. This post is mainly centered on the city of Santa Barbara, but also covers the region that is known as The American Riviera more broadly, which includes the wine growing region of San Ynez Valley (north and west of Santa Barbara) and the ultra-wealthy yet understated celebrity enclave of Montecito (East down the coast of Santa Barbara).

  • By plane: Santa Barbara has a regional airport (that is extremely beautiful) with about two dozen flights a day primarily from west coast cities + Texas and SLC.  

  • By train: Santa Barbara has its own train station (5 miles from the city center) as well as an additional train station in nearby Goleta (home of UC Santa Barbara) and trains run from up and down the Pacific Coast via Amtrak and Pacific Surfliners. Train rides can be scenic but a bit slow.

  • By car: The most common way to get to, from and around Santa Barbara is by car and we highly recommend you have a car during your time in the city. While downtown is quite walkable, some of the best parts of the American Riviera lie up in the Santa Ynez mountains and are difficult to reach without a car. Ubers are generally available throughout downtown as well as in Montecito, but are scarce in the smaller towns of the Santa Ynez valley.

Thanks to its proximity to the chilly Pacific Ocean and the barrier of the Santa Ynez mountains, Santa Barbara is pretty temperate year round—it is rare to have days in the 90s on the coast (though drive inland to the Santa Ynez valley and it can be over 10 degrees hotter). There is no bad time to visit the region, but Santa Barbara’s high season is June - August, though June often brings heavy fog. We recommend shoulder season—specifically September and October as the rainy season tends to start later in November and often runs through May.

To truly take in the beauty of Santa Barbara, we recommend you stay at least for a long weekend, though we’ve spent nearly three weeks there over the last few years and still can’t get enough.

Downtown: For first timers looking to explore with only a few days in the area, staying downtown is your best bet given its walkability. There are plenty of hotels in the area that fit every budget and preference, though one of our favorites which is well worth the splurge is the Hotel Californian.

Montecito: If you’re looking for luxury or to rub elbows with stars who have sought privacy and a slower pace outside of Hollywood, Montecito is your best bet. While the Rosewood and Four Seasons Biltmore are the most iconic properties in the area, we recommend the ultra secluded Belmond El Encanto or San Ysidro Ranch. Make sure to build in some time to enjoy these one of a kind properties as one could spend a whole trip content inside the grounds.

Goleta: For those looking for more space (especially those traveling in a group or with children) or a good value, nearby Goleta offers some larger resort-style properties. The recently renovated Ritz Carlton Bacara is a favorite for its many pools and direct beach access.

For many, Santa Barbara is synonymous with wine. Indeed there is no shortage of wine in the American Riviera and there are bottles and experiences for every palette and level of interest. The wine growing region spans far beyond Santa Barbara’s city limits, however, into the greater Santa Ynez and Santa Maria Valleys, so we’ve put together a brief primer as well as a list of some of our favorite producers.

Overview of Santa Barbara County Wine Production. Santa Barbara County is home to six distinct American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), which are distinct wine grape growing areas designated by the Tax and Trade Bureau (part of the Department of the Treasury). The idea behind these designations is that wines from particular geographies and climates (in the wine world, this concept is called “terroir”) have certain characteristics. The six AVAs in the area, their notable characteristics, are below:

Santa Maria Valley AVA: This is the northernmost appellation in Santa Barbara County and was the region’s first officially approved AVA. Due to its foggy and windy climate, Santa Maria Valley is an exceptionally good home for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

  • Santa Ynez Valley AVA: Santa Ynez Valley runs east to west with cool temperatures on the coast that rise as you move inward. A wide variety of grapes thrives in this area given the many climates—from Pinot Noir on the cooler side to to Cabernet, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc in the east.

    • Santa Rita Hills AVA: This is a small sub-AVA of the greater Santa Ynez Valley appellation. Its proximity to the Pacific Ocean means that vines grown here are cooled by the ocean breeze which, in concert with the limestone soil, gives way to excellent Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

    • Ballard Canyon AVA: Ballard Canyon is the smallest of the Santa Ynez Valley sub-AVAs, nestled between the towns of Solvang and Los Olivos. The weather here is unique, combining wind, fog and sea breeze, which lends itself to the production of Syrah (the overwhelming majority of Ballard Canyon’s planted acreage) with the remaining planted acreage devoted to Rhône varietals (Grenache, Voignier and Roussanne).

    • Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA: The far east end of the Santa Ynez Valley AVA includes Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara. This appellation is marked by steep slopes, rolling hills and lots of warmth, making it a great home for rich, concentrated Bordeaux Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Sauvignon Blanc) and Rhône (Syrah) varietals.

    • Los Olivos District AVA: Los Olivos is the most recently approved sub-AVA of the Santa Ynez Valley and lies to the west of Happy Canyon. This appellation has a rare consistency for Santa Barbara—the topography is relatively uniform and the climate is moderate. Varietals like Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon thrive in this environment.

  • Alisos Canyon AVA: Alisos Canyon AVA possesses a unique soil combination of weathered sandstone and shale with a streak of limestone. The high calcium content of this soil means that grapes grown in the area have thicker skins and, in turn, higher extraction, color and tannins. Varietals like Syrah, Grenache, Viognier and Cabernet Franc thrive in these conditions.

Our Favorite Wineries in Santa Barbara County

For a complete list of our favorite wineries, please refer to the Google Map above, but we’ve highlighted a few below.

  • Au Bon Climat (Santa Maria Valley & beyond)

    • What it is: Au Bon Climat, taken from the French idiom “the good place”, is in many ways the wine that established Santa Barbara County as the American Riviera. ABC has made classic, Burgundian style wines using primarily Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from Santa Maria Valley since 1982. ABC was helmed by wine giant Jim Clendenen who never referred to himself as the winery’s winemaker, but rather as the “Mind Behind” from Au Bon Climat’s inception until his death in 2021. Clendenen was considered one of the pioneers of Santa Barbara County who put the area on the map during the 1970s and 1980s.

    • What to drink: Anything from their legendary Bien Nacido Vineyard in Santa Maria Valley, though they have vineyards throughout Santa Barbara County. Look out for flagship wines Isabelle and Knox Alexander, named after Clendenen’s two children. If you visit their tasting room in downtown Santa Barbara, ask to check out their extensive library collection and consider picking up a bottle from a year that is significant to you—we’ve enjoyed some of their aged chardonnays in particular.

    • Where to taste: Au Bon Climat Tasting Room | 813 Anacapa St #5b | Monday - Friday 12 - 6 PM; Saturday - Sunday 11 AM - 6 PM | Flights cost $30 | Reservations available online recommended and can be made here.

  • Margerum (Happy Canyon, Santa Rita Hills) & Barden (Santa Rita Hills)

    • What it is: Doug Margerum is the spirit of Santa Barbara and has been integral to the cultivation of its food and wine scene for over 35 years. We’ve sat in the Margerum tasting room many times only catch glimpses of Doug at work, completely at ease pouring wine and saying hello to guests during busy days, often with a glass of wine in hand. Doug started Margerum Wine Company in 2001 producing Rhône blends and varietals with a California twist from vineyards in Happy Canyon and Santa Rita Hills. In 2014, he released Barden wines focused on cold climate grapes grown in the chilly Santa Rita Hills (the bottles are adorned with an image of a wild boar, paying homage to the wildlife native to this area).

    • What to drink: Flagship M5 Blend (red Rhône-style blend) and the Sybarite (fun fact: this was one of the wines served at the State of the Union during President Obama’s tenure); in addition, their amaro and importantly their amaro ice cream made in collaboration with local favorite McConnell’s is absolutely exceptional. We’ve picked up a few pints to take home on occasion.

    • Where to taste:

      • Santa Barbara - 19 E Mason Street at the Hotel Californian | Sunday - Thursday 12 PM 8 PM; Friday & Saturday 12 PM - 9 PM | Flights cost $20; glasses also available | Walk ins only.

      • Los Olivos - 2446 Alamo Pintado Avenue | 11 AM - 5 PM Daily | Flights cost $20 & up with pairings | Reservations recommended and may be made here.

  • Stolpman (Ballard Canyon)

    • What it is: For over 20 years, Tom Stolpman has had a unique focus on Ballard Canyon, creating wines with a sense of place using Syrah and Roussanne grapes. The winery is obsessive about their terroir—describing every factor that makes their wine special from the deep limestone topped with clay that allows moisture retention while promoting acidity, the impact of the sea breeze as it is sucked into the Mojave Desert east of Ballard Canyon, the lack of rain despite cold nights during growing season and even the “tan” their grapes receive from their precise latitude. This special place calls for extra attention—the team at Stolpman is unique in that their employees (including the vineyard workers) are full time. Indeed, they even have their own plot, La Cuadrilla, and all profits from wine grown in this plot go directly to the workers.

    • What to drink: The classics (Syrah, Grenache, etc.) are great at Stolpman but their foray into zero-sulfur natural wine called “So Fresh” has garnered a lot of attention in the wine world as delicious, summer reds meant to be served chilled.

    • Where to taste:

      • Los Olivos Patio: Tastings $25 | Reservations required and may be made here.

      • Fresh Garage Patio: For fresh, chilled fermented grapes | Tastings $20 | Reservations required and may be made here.

  • Sandhi, Domaine de la Cote (Santa Rita Hills)

    • What it is: Wine wunderkind Rajat Parr is an Indian American sommelier turned winemaker who has launched several projects on the Central Coast, the best known of which are Sandhi and Domaine de la Cote. Both are collaborations between Parr and Sashi Moorman dedicated to crafting small-production low intervention wines. These elegant wines are an exciting look into the high level of winemaking that the pioneers of Santa Barbara made possible as well as the future of wine making in the region.

    • What to drink: Domaine de la Cote Blooms Field. Sandhi’s Chardonnays are particularly good.

    • Where to taste:

      • Sandhi - Cellar visits and barrel tastings available with a reservation which may be made on their website here.

      • Domaine de la Cote - Tastings ($50) available by appointment only by emailing wine@domainedelacote.com.

  • Presqu’ile (Santa Maria Valley)

    • What it is: New but extremely cool kid on the block Presqu’ile offers cool-climate wines mostly composed of Syrah, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Santa Maria Valley. Founded in 2007, the winery is family owned and operated. Presqu’ile’s tasting room provides a unique and breathtaking view of the Santa Maria Valley and also houses an extensive garden where ingredients for the winery’s signature wine + food experience highlighting the terroir of the appellation are sourced.

    • What to drink: Presqu’ile wines are fresh and we especially love their sparkling varieties.

    • Where to taste: Presqu’ile Winery | Tastings $45 or Food & Wine Experience $70 | Reservations required and available here.

  • Tyler (Santa Rita Hills)

    • What it is: While working as an assistant winemaker Justin Tyler Willett began Tyler in 2005 at the age of just 24 years old using a handful of barrels. His focus on old vines has set him apart during a time where young, natural wines have risen to popularity over the central coast.

    • What to drink: Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir.

    • Where to taste:

      • Tyler x Lieu Dit Tasting Room: Lompoc | Walk ins welcome.

      • Tyler’s Mae Estate: By appointment only. Contact information available here.

  • Other favorites: Jamie Slone (tasting reservations here), Melville (tasting reservations here), Frequency (tasting reservations here), SAMsARA (tasting reservations here), Dierberg/Star Lane (tastings reservations here), Folded Hills (tasting reservations here—we recommend visiting the estate and farmstead), Liquid Farm (no reservations), Tatomer (tasting reservaions required & may be made here), Lieu Dit (tasting reservations available with Tyler above)

Hiking: Santa Barbara County is filled with incredible hiking trails. Some of our favorites are below.

  • Romero Canyon (AllTrails link here)

  • Hot Springs Canyon (AllTrails link here)

  • Inspiration Point (Guide here)

  • Rattlesnake Canyon (AllTrails link here)


Beaches: Our favorite beach in Santa Barbara is Butterfly Beach off Montecito (you can stop by Honor Market for provisions nearby or Honor Bar for a cocktail after). Summerland Beach is also fun for dog lovers and horseback riders as one of the only animal friendly beaches in the area.

City Neighborhoods. The city of Santa Barbara is mostly centered around State Street, a wide boulevard that runs through the city and ends at the beach leading out toward Stearns Wharf. One could easily spend a weekend wandering through the various neighborhoods of Santa Barbara, namely:

  • The Funk Zone: Located in the lower State Street area and just steps from the ocean, The Funk Zone is a vibrant area for the arts, dining, wine tasting (see more below) and bar hopping. There is plenty of fun street art and architecture to admire walking through this area, which stands in stark contrast to the Spanish Revival style typical of Santa Barbara.

  • Stearns Wharf: Stearns Wharf, a pier jutting out into the Pacific Ocean since 1872, is an iconic landmark in Santa Barbara. Though it has become rather touristy, we recommend joining for a sunset or early evening drink after the daytime crowds die down. Stearns Wharf is also home to the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center, which is worth a stop if you are interested in local marine life.

    • Practical Information: Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center | Sea Center Hours: 10 AM - 5 PM daily; Museum Hours Wednesday - Monday 10 AM - 5 PM | Tickets $19 for adults and may be purchased here.

  • Lower State Street/The Presidio: Now a pedestrian promenade, State Street runs the length of downtown Santa Barbara and is home to many local and chain shops and restaurants, as well as hip coffee shops and several local wine tasting rooms. See below for our favorites.

  • Upper State Street & La Cumbre Plaza: Though not in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara, locals have been calling the area surrounding Mission Santa Barbara and La Cumbre Plaza “Upper State Street” recently. If you need to pick anything up from high street chain stores, check out La Cumbre Plaza. Another point of interest here is Old Mission Santa Barbara which is absolutely beautiful and well worth a stop (more below).

Old Mission Santa Barbara. The Santa Barbara Mission sits on 15 acres overlooking the Pacific Ocean and is comprised of the iconic Mission Church, nine-room museum, historic mausoleum and gardens.

  • History: Founded in 1786, Mission Santa Barbara is known as the Queen of the Missions and was home to the first California bishop, Francisco Garcia Diego y Moreno who was installed in 1842 (he is still buried at the mission today). The Mission is one of only two missions (along with Mission San Luis Rey in Oceanside) continuously operated by Franciscans since its founding. The Mission was severely damaged by several earthquakes and has been rebuilt twice.

  • Practical Information: Self-guided tours available daily from 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM for $15/adult.

Santa Barbara Zoo. Someone once told me that in their next life, they wanted to come back as a giraffe at the Santa Barbara Zoo. A bit of an odd comment, but after visiting I can understand why. I don’t typically visit (let alone recommend) many zoos, but the Santa Barbara Zoo is a special place and worth a visit. Once an estate owned by a tea and coffee merchant, the Santa Barbara Zoo not only offers a chance to see over 160 species of animals (and is relatively manageable in size with small crowds), but also has some of the most breathtaking views in all of Santa Barbara.

  • Practical Information: Open daily 9:30 AM - 5 PM (9:30 AM - 3:30 PM on holidays) | Tickets are $25 per adult and may be purchased here.

Santa Barbara Bowl. Catching a show at the iconic Santa Barbara Bowl is one of the best ways to spend an evening in the American Riviera. The 4500 seat outdoor amphitheater (with a beautiful view) is open from spring through early fall and hosts a number of performances each year. Check out the concert schedule here.

Lotusland (Montecito). Located in nearby upscale Montecito, Ganna Walska Lotusland (more commonly known as simply Lotusland) is a non-profit botanical garden which features exquisite flowers and manicured gardens. In true quirky Montecito fashion, the gardens are located in a residential district so tickets and visit times are extremely limited. Indeed, the garden itself is set on the historic estate of opera singer Madame Ganna Walska who created the gardens while she owned the property between 1941 until her death in 1984.

  • Practical information: Reservations are required and are available from Wednesday - Saturday at 9:30 AM (ends 11:30 AM) and 1:30 PM (ends 3:30 PM). For more information, visit the Lotusland website here.

Restaurants

  • Lucky’s (Montecito): Lucky’s is our favorite restaurant in the Santa Barbara area and maybe one of our favorite restaurants ever. It is an old school steakhouse that serves perfectly cooked steaks alongside delicious sides (the creamed spinach is incredible) with the ice cold martinis of our dreams. Reservations are a must, though if you want to join at the last minute, the bar is first come, first served and wonderful (in fact, it is worth arriving early so you can enjoy a drink inside).

  • The Honor Bar (Montecito): Hillstone does it again—the ever packed, no reservations Honor Bar in Montecito is the place to hang out and watch the world go by on the corner of Montecito’s main drag, Coast Village Road. Enjoy one of their delicious cocktails alongside one of the many dressed up sandwiches on offer—there is also a tight menu of snacks and more substantial entrees.

  • Ama Sushi (Montecito): Santa Barbara seafood is some of the best in the world and we highly recommend indulging in their famed uni and spot prawns if they are in season during your visit. The Rosewood’s Ama Sushi is a luxe way to indulge in the best local catches either via their omakase, prix fixe or a la carte menus. Reservations required.

  • Tre Lune (Montecito): Tre Lune has been serving delicious Italian food using seasonal ingredients in downtown Montecito for over 20 years. Their service is exceptional as well which is to be expected at this casual chic celebrity haunt. Reservations are necessary.

  • Bettina (Montecito): Bettina serves exceptional pizzas and wood fired Italian dishes in Montecito Country Market that can be enjoyed at the restaurant or taken away to Butterfly Beach for a mid-day picnic.

  • Sama Sama Kitchen (Downtown): Don’t let appearances fool you—this unassuming South Asian restaurant is not to be missed and is a local favorite (it has even earned a Bib Gourmand distinction from Via Michelin). Book a table on Sama Sama’s back patio and enjoy delicious South Asian classics like bao and papaya salad under romantic string lights.

  • Bibi Ji (Downtown): Bibi Ji is part Indian restaurant, part natural wine bar, the latter of which is helmed by the aforementioned Raj Parr (who has released some exclusive wines at the restaurant). While Indian food and wine aren’t an immediate food pairing thought, the wine and food menus are designed to bring out the best in each other.

  • Loquita Santa Barbara (Downtown): Loquita is a hip Spanish restaurant in Downtown Santa Barbara powered by local ingredients. The seasonal paella is a highlight for seafood lovers, showcasing the best fish and shellfish Santa Barbara has to offer.

  • Predite Barbeque (Los Alamos): In foodie haven Los Alamos, gourmands flock to Predite Barbeque for their fix of expertly smoked meats every weekend. They’ve also started smoking excellent tri tip on Thursdays if you are looking to avoid the weekend rush.

  • Bell’s (Los Alamos): Bell’s is the darling of the Santa Barbara County dining scene serving Fresh inspired dishes in this historic Bell Street Farms space. Menus change daily and guests can select each course from a prix fixe menu.

  • Mattei’s Tavern (Los Olivos): At the luxe Auberge-owned Inn at Mattei’s Tavern, the Tavern restaurant serves up elegant yet simple dishes primarily using produce from their garden. Plates are often grilled or wood fired, designed to pair perfectly with local wines.


Quick Bites

  • Freebirds (Goleta): We can’t talk about Santa Barbara without mentioning all of the excellent Mexican food on offer (see our list of taquerias below). An absolute must-stop for us on every trip is Freebirds, serving up legendarily large California style burritos right near UC Santa Barbara’s campus. Despite the size, the burritos are filled with high quality, fresh ingredients and are endlessly customizable.

  • Bob’s Well Bread (Los Alamos & Ballard): Bob’s Well Bread serves uberartisinal breads and pastries alongside a tight cafe menu. Our favorite way to enjoy an afternoon in Los Alamos is to stop by and order a sandwich on one of their perfect demi baguettes between wine tastings.

  • Tamar (Downtown): Tamar serves excellent fast casual Mediterranean food in downtown Santa Barbara. We highly recommend any of their sandwiches which are made with pita.

  • Santa Barbara Fish Market (Goleta): The Santa Barbara Fish Market has a market and restaurant that serves up ultra fresh, in season seafood.

  • The Honor Market (Montecito): The Honor Bar’s Honor Market is the perfect spot for picking up an espresso and a pastry or sandwich.

  • Our favorite taquerias: Lilly’s Taqueria, Taqueria El Bajio, Corazon Cocina, Taqueria La Unica, La Super Rica Taqueria

  • Ice cream: McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams; Rori’s Artisanal Creamery



Where to Drink (other than wineries)

  • Test Pilot (Downtown)

  • Captain Fatty’s Brewery (Goleta)

  • The Speakeasy (Montecito)

  • The Good Lion (Downtown)

  • Milk & Honey (Downtown)

  • La Paloma Cafe (Downtown)

  • The Lark (Downtown)

  • Djinn (Downtown)

Day 1: Arrive in Santa Barbara. Walk around downtown and enjoy wine tasting at Au Bon Climat and Margerum. Pick up an ice cream at McConnell’s and rent a double wide bike to pedal along the beach paths. Head to Montecito for dinner at Lucky’s or Bettina depending on how fancy you’re feeling.

Day 2: Beach day. Set up at Butterfly Beach and enjoy the waves. Head to the Honor Bar for lunch or an afternoon cocktail. Freshen up at the hotel before dinner at Loquita.

Day 3: Wine tasting in Lompoc and Santa Rita Hills. On the way, stop in Los Olivos or Ballard. Head to the Lompoc wine ghetto for drinks at Lieu Dit x Tyler. Then head to Stolpman and/or Sandhi. Enjoy dinner in Santa Barbara or Montecito.

Day 4: Get up for an early pre-lunch hike. Check out one of our favorite taquerias for lunch and then drive out to Presqu’ile for wine tasting (or enjoy lunch there as well). Stop on the way back for an early dinner at Mattei’s Tavern or Bell’s. Enjoy drinks in downtown Santa Barbara. Alternatively, head to Lotusland or the Zoo and enjoy dinner at Tre Lune.

Ashley Jaramillo