2 days in Santa Barbara Itinerary: Our perfect weekend getaway!

Santa Barbara, along the Central Coast of California, is a beautiful city with a lot of charm. Its blend of Spanish architecture, stunning beaches, and vibrant downtown area makes it an ideal weekend getaway or a great stop on your California Coast road trip.

We have been driving from San Francisco to LA for several years but we would usually take the faster (but boring) Interstate 5, so somehow we would always skip visiting Santa Barbara.

Recently, we took a family trip to Santa Barbara, and I was blown away by the city’s beauty. From the charming homes and lush gardens to the breathtaking ocean and mountain views, it is a perfect blend of elegance and the outdoors.

I created this Santa Barbara itinerary for my trip, which covered all the top highlights and helped me make the most of two days in this gorgeous city. Let’s go through it!

Santa Barbara Itinerary

We stayed in Santa Barbara for three nights, explored Santa Barbara for 2 full days, and then spent one day on a day trip to Channel Islands National Park.

This itinerary packs a lot, so feel free to modify it to add more rest and relaxation or beach time! I have included additional things to do in Santa Barbara if you would like to extend your trip or switch some things up.

Day 1: Stearn’s Wharf, Courthouse, State Street

We reached Santa Barbara the evening before, as we drove down from the San Francisco Bay area.

We stayed in the beautiful oceanfront Hotel Milo right across from the beach and Stern’s Wharf. It was my birthday trip so we splurged a bit on the hotel. There was a nice patio in front of our room to admire the ocean views!

Morning walk at Stern’s Wharf

Stern’s Wharf is one of the oldest wooden piers on the West Coast, built in 1872. In the morning, I woke up early, around 7 AM, and took a walk along the beach to Stern’s Wharf. I just had to cross the street from our hotel, and I was there. My husband is an early morning yoga and meditation guy, while I love to take a walk outdoors!

The wharf was mostly empty except for a few morning walkers. All shops and restaurants were closed. Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center is right on the wharf and a great place to check out some marine exhibits.

It was so peaceful to listen to the sounds of the ocean, seabirds, and the old wooden pier creaking with the occasional passing cars. I took my time admiring the views and went all the way to the end of the pier, where some folks were fishing. I mean a busy pier is fun as well, but in this moment I enjoyed the solitude.

Breakfast at Jeannine’s Bakery

This cute oceanfront restaurant is right outside Stearn’s Wharf on State St. It serves breakfast and lunch and is open till 2 PM.

The decor is very stylish and cute, with flowers, pink patio umbrellas, and decorated bikes with flower baskets. My teen girls loved the ambiance here. There is an outdoor patio and an indoor seating area. You have to order first and then find a table. We took an indoor table by the window overlooking the Wharf.

Everything we ordered was great, and the servers were really nice. When we were leaving, a server came out and gave us a bag of a few bakery treats (for free!) for the road. That was really special, and the gesture made us love the people of Santa Barbara!

Santa Barbara Courthouse

After breakfast, we drove to the Santa Barbara Courthouse, one of the most beautiful public buildings in Santa Barbara. Completed in 1929, the Spanish Colonial Revival architecture here is breathtaking.

We parked at the parking structure at the intersection of Anacapa St and E Figueroa St. It is right across the street from the courthouse, and the first 75 minutes are free.

I was not sure what to expect, as this was the first time I was visiting a courthouse as a tourist attraction. But when I came in front of the grand entrance with the fountain and the architectural details, I was in awe of its grandeur.

It was a Saturday, and the courthouse was very busy. Several groups of brides and grooms were taking pictures on the lawn.

We took the elevator to the top of the clock tower. It is free to visit the courthouse and ride the elevator. You can take the stairs as well.

The staircase has beautiful ‘Tunisian tile’ artwork and a spectacular ‘Mujedar’ ceiling. Even if you are taking the elevator up, make sure to take a peak at the staircase and the ceiling! The Mural Room is next to the elevator and has wrap-around murals.

Once you are up on the clock tower, prepare to be amazed again. From here, we saw 360-degree views of Santa Barbara city, all the way to the ocean in the front and the mountains in the back. It was a clear day, and the views were magnificent!

The La Arcada Plaza Mall is right next to the parking lot if you wish to check it out and have lunch there. It’s a beautiful shopping mall with a large water fountain that has turtles.

Explore State Street

We weren’t hungry for lunch yet, so we went to State Street. State Street is within walking distance of our hotel, so we parked back at the hotel and continued on foot. There are also several parking lots and street parking in the area.

State Street is Santa Barbara’s main drag and the heart of the city’s downtown. Its really open and spacious as compared to the other downtown streets I have seen. You’ll find everything from high-end boutiques to souvenir shops to cute cafes and restaurants, so leave yourself time to wander.

I was impressed by how clean and well-kept every place was and how many beautiful plants and flowers there were everywhere! Bougainvilleas with bright pink flowers adorned the walls of many buildings. The Spanish-style architecture, with white buildings and red-tiled roofs, added to the elegance.

We got ice cream at McConnell’s and some snacks at a bakery we passed while walking. We spent some time at the Paseo Nuevo shopping mall. With teen kids, it is almost customary for them to check out any shopping mall that comes their way🙄

If you are traveling with young kids, check out MOXI Museum on State Street, with interactive exhibits based on science and technology. Kids will enjoy the hands-on displays, from creating in the Interactive Media Lab to racing cars on the Speed Track. Plus, the rooftop Sky Garden offers panoramic views of the city, mountains, and ocean!

Funk Zone

After soaking in the lively atmosphere of State Street, make your way to the south end, where you’ll find the Funk Zone. Once an industrial area, it’s now a vibrant destination for wine tasting, craft breweries, contemporary art, and eclectic dining.

Even if you’re not into wine (like us), the district’s colorful murals and art installations make it a great place to explore. For a bite to eat, Shalhoob’s Funk Zone Patio is a local favorite for food and drinks.

Dinner

Later, we headed back to State Street for dinner at Apna Indian Kitchen. The food was fantastic, the ambiance warm and inviting, and the staff provided excellent service.

Afterward, we took a leisurely stroll along State Street, soaking in the nighttime energy and the softly lit streets—an ideal way to wrap up the evening.

Day 2: Old Mission, Gardens, Beach

On Day 2, we explored the Santa Barbara Mission and Lotusland and then relaxed at the beach.

Breakfast at Chad’s Cafe

We started our second day with a hearty breakfast at Chad’s cafe. It was right outside Hotel Milo, so we didn’t have to take the car. We just woke up and went there.

It was a Sunday, and the place was bustling. There was a wait to get a table, but we soon got a booth inside. The decor was great, and the servers were prompt. They greeted us with a basket of freshly baked mini chocolate chip muffins! They were so yummy, and my girls immediately gobbled them up.

Everything we ordered was great, and the portions were huge. It could be easily shared if needed.

Old Mission Santa Barbara

After breakfast, we drove to Old Mission Santa Barbara. Founded in 1786, it’s one of California’s most historic and well-preserved missions. It is open from 9:30 AM to 5 PM daily.

There is free parking right next to the Mission building. You can do a self-guided tour of the mission, and entrance tickets can be purchased at the gift shop. No reservations are required. It was $15 per adult and $10 per kid when we visited.

As we visited on a Sunday morning, the church was not available during the self-guided tour as the weekend mass was going on. Similarly, weddings can happen on Saturday afternoons, and the church might not be available to visit during that time. So plan accordingly if you want to do a tour. You can explore the gardens without the tour.

The mission gardens are beautiful, and the views of the surrounding mountains are stunning. There is a nice rose garden right in front of the church.

Lotusland

After visiting the mission, we made our way to Lotusland, one of the most unique botanical gardens in the world. Located in the upscale neighborhood of Montecito and spanning over 37 acres, Lotusland was created by an opera singer and garden designer, Ganna Walska, in 1941.

I love plants and visiting unique gardens, and the lotus is the national flower of India, so I was really interested in seeing a lotus garden. Advance reservations are required to visit, and there are self-guided and docent-led tours.

The only tour available during our visit was the docent-led one, so we booked that at least a month ahead of time. We were the only ones in our group and the tour was 2 hours long. The docent walked us through all the gardens explaining the history of the place as well pointing out the rare plants there.

My favorites were the lotus pond, the Japanese garden, and the rose garden. The cactus garden is really impressive as well. I had never seen such huge cactus plants before.

The tickets are quite expensive, we paid $75 per adult for the docent led-tour. Even the self-guided tour is $60 per adult, and it is often sold out.

I would recommend visiting if you love plants and you have around 3 hours free in the afternoon.

If Lotusland is sold out for your dates or seems expensive (I felt it is), Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is another option featuring California’s native plants in beautifully curated landscapes. With towering redwoods, vibrant wildflowers, and stunning mountain views, it is a great place to wander in nature. The entrance here is $20 per adult and advance reservations are required here as well.

Beach Time

Afterwards we went to the East Beach near Stearn’s Wharf for some rest and relaxation. Hotel Milo provides complimentary beach chairs, towels and we also borrowed a volleyball for some beach fun.

The East Beach in front of the Hilton Santa Barbara Resort is nice. The West Beach, on the other side of the Wharf, had a lot of washed-up debris.

There is a nice wide bike track on the beach, and you can bike or e-bike for miles exploring the beautiful views.

• You can take this 2.5 hour Santa Barbara Electric Bike Tour with a knowledgeable guide.
• You can also take this 1.5 hour guided kayak tour with an experienced guide and enjoy the coastline views.

Dinner

For dinner, I had recommendations for two Mexican places – La Super-Rica Taqueria and Los Agaves. Super-Rica is a very popular hole-in-the-wall kind of place and low priced. Their menu’s vegetarian options were limited, so we went to Los Agaves instead.

Everything we ordered at Los Agaves was excellent, and the portion sizes were huge. You have to order first and then find a table. They bring you free chips, and there is a salsa bar with several varieties.

But most of all, the servers were amazing! I have never seen this level of exceptional service from the wait staff. Almost every server must have come to our table asking if everything was ok, and when we were leaving, every server that crossed our path thanked us for visiting them. Incredible!

After dinner, we went back to State Street for a stroll and some ice cream. We loved our two amazing days in Santa Barbara and didn’t wish it to end!

Bonus Day 3: Day trip to Channel Islands National Park

If you have an extra day on your trip and you love visiting National Parks or hiking, I highly recommend a day trip to Channel Islands National Park.

We dedicated a whole day to this day trip. We stayed in Santa Barbara, but if you are on a road trip, you can also stay in Ventura the night before or after.

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Ventura is right on Ventura Harbor and has decent reviews. I had debated staying here for the night but didn’t want to add a hotel for one night, so we drove from Santa Barbara to Ventura.

We took a ferry from Ventura Harbor and went to Scorpion Cove at Santa Cruz Island. Santa Cruz is one of the largest Channel Islands and has some of the best hiking trails.

We hiked the 5-mile long Potato Harbor to Cavern Point Loop Trail. We saw some incredible wildlife from the ferry, and the hike was amazing, with coastal views and very few people. Kayaking the sea caves is another popular thing to do here.

It was a peaceful escape into nature that felt worlds away from the mainland.

More things to do in Santa Barbara

Here are some additional popular things to do in Santa Barbara if you want to switch some things up:

Where to stay in Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara has no shortage of accommodation options, whether you’re looking for beachfront luxury or boutique hotels. We stayed at Hotel Milo, but I have also listed some other best options that I had short-listed for my own trip.

Hotel Milo Santa Barbara (mid-range) – We stayed at this beachfront hotel in Santa Barbara and loved the location. It is right near Steran’s Wharf, and we walked to the beach, restaurants, and State Street. We had a room with a beautiful common terrace area in the front overlooking the pool and the ocean. The staff was friendly as well. We had some issues with the shower water pressure, but they accommodated us.

Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort (luxury) – A luxury beachfront resort with easy access to East Beach and bike trails. The hotel has a spa, restaurant, tennis court, and pool.

Hotel Santa Barbara (mid-range) – This boutique hotel is right on State Street in the middle of all the restaurants and near Paseo Nuevo Mall.

Cabrillo Inn at the Beach (budget): This no-frills hotel is still beachfront and right across the street from East Beach. It is a bit further from State Street.

Travel Tips for visiting Santa Barbara

Below are some travel tips based on my own experience visiting Santa Barbara:

When is the best time to visit Santa Barbara?

Spring, summer, and fall months are ideal for visiting Santa Barbara, weather-wise.

Summer is the most crowded, and accommodations are the most expensive, but it also has the best weather and longer daylight hours. We visited in early August, so it was still summer, and the hotel was expensive.

Visit in Spring or Fall for fewer crowds and a bit cheaper accommodations. Except for early April which is typically Spring break. Santa Barbara is expensive in general.

Winter is still okay to visit as the average daytime temperatures are still around 60 degrees Fahrenheit, but it can also be rainy and not ideal for the beach.

How to get to Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara is easily accessible by car, train, or flight.

Santa Barbara is around a 2-hour drive from Los Angeles, and the scenic route along Highway 101 offers beautiful ocean views. It is around 5 hours from San Francisco. You can take the scenic Highway 1 (if there are no road closures) from SF to Santa Barbara or the scenic 101 to reach Santa Barbara. We took the 101 and explored San Luis Obispo, Pismo Beach, and Solvang along the way.

You can also take Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner from San Diego, which drops you off right in the heart of the city near State Street. The Coast Starlight connecting Seattle and Los Angeles also stops at the Santa Barbara Amtrak station.

If you’re flying, the Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) is small and serves limited destinations within the US. The best option would be to fly into Los Angeles and then drive to Santa Barbara or add it as a stop during your San Francisco to LA road trip.

How many days do you need in Santa Barbara?

Well, Santa Barbara is such a beautiful and elegant city that you can easily stay for a week and unwind. But if you are on a sightseeing trip, I recommend spending two full days in Santa Barbara to explore everything it has to offer and to enjoy the beaches. Add a day if you want to visit Channel Islands National Park.

Is Santa Barbara worth visiting?

Santa Barbara is totally worth visiting! This charming and upscale city offers a rare combination of natural beauty, rich history, and top-notch dining and shopping. It’s an ideal destination for those looking to unwind while still having plenty to do and see.

Whether you’re a beach lover, history or architecture buff, or foodie, Santa Barbara has something to offer for everyone. I will definitely be visiting again in the future to explore more of the nearby towns.

Is Santa Barbara safe?

I found Santa Barbara to be one of the safest cities along the coast. It is a bit upscale, so most folks we came across looked quite well to do. We did see a few homeless people near the Wharf and State St., but they kept to themselves and did not bother us.

But as usual, take the basic safety precautions. Do not keep things in the car plainly visible in public parking lots, as theft can happen anywhere. If we are going to leave our luggage in the car for a few hours, we usually look for paid parking structures instead of street parking. If parking on the street, we park in front of busy shops or restaurants that seem to have a lot of foot traffic.

Final Takeaways: Santa Barbara Itinerary for 2 days

I hope my two-day itinerary will help you experience the best of Santa Barbara, from its historic landmarks to its stunning beaches and vibrant wharf and State Street area.

I found Santa Barbara to be an upscale, elegant, and beautiful city with amazing and friendly people at the hotels and restaurants. That’s how I will remember it!

➡️ Up next, check my list of the best things to do in Santa Barbara!