Things to do in Santa Barbara, splurging
The Courthouse tower, the Old Mission, dinner at El Encanto and Bar Lou.
This is Santa Barbara for people who want the full picture: great coffee in the morning, serious food at night, and enough breathing room in between to actually enjoy the place. The plan covers the Funk Zone's creative energy, the Riviera's quiet elegance, and Montecito's low-key confidence. It suits anyone willing to spend on the things that matter and skip the things that don't.
Day 1: Funk Zone, harbour, and Lower State
The day starts with gluten-free pastries at Lilac, moves through the courthouse tower and West Beach, and ends with Oaxacan mole and a pint on Lower State.
- 9:30 AM
Lilac Pâtisserie
Start the morning with pastries and coffee at this beloved gluten-free patisserie downtown.
Map - 10:30 AM
Santa Barbara County Courthouse
Free entry to the stunning 1929 Spanish Colonial Revival courthouse, climb the clock tower for panoramic views of the city and mountains.
Map - 12:30 PM
Broad Street Oyster Co.
Oysters on ice and lobster rolls on lower State; the hot buttered lobster roll is the order.
Map - 2:30 PM
- 7:30 PM
- 9:30 PM
Institution Ale Co. - Santa Barbara
House-brewed pints in a big taproom on lower State, a few minutes' walk from dinner.
Map
Day 2: Mission Canyon to the Riviera
A morning among California natives at the Botanic Garden, a taco lunch in Oak Park, and a destination dinner at El Encanto before a stroll down the car-free promenade.
- 10:15 AM
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
78 acres of California native plants with a redwood grove and island views, the best cultural and natural stop in this part of town.
Map - 12:30 PM
Maiz Picante Taqueria
Quick, cheap tacos in Oak Park, halfway between the botanic garden and the mission.
Map - 2:00 PM
Old Mission Santa Barbara
The tenth California mission (1786), twin bell towers, cemetery, and small museum make for a genuinely unhurried afternoon stop.
Map - 7:30 PM
The Dining Room at El Encanto
Dinner on the El Encanto terrace up on the Riviera, looking over the city to the ocean.
Map - 9:30 PM
State Street Promenade
Car-free State Street after dinner: wine bars, cocktail rooms and the Granada's lit marquee.
Map
Day 3: Montecito morning, French finish
Coffee near East Beach, the zoo's hilltop views, Bettina's wood-fired pizza, a golden-hour walk at Butterfly Beach, and Bar Lou's French menu to close it out.
- 9:30 AM
Little King Coffee
A small coffee bar on the Montecito edge of town, a short drive from the zoo.
Map - 10:15 AM
Santa Barbara Zoo
The SB Zoo's 30-acre hilltop grounds, giraffe feeding, and ocean views fill a great 2 to 3 hour morning stretch.
Map - 12:30 PM
Bettina
Bettina's great-value pizza is the neighbourhood lunch everyone swears by, great wood-fired pies without a heavy midday spend.
Map - 2:30 PM
Butterfly Beach
Butterfly Beach is the locals' favourite west-facing strip, perfect for a post-lunch stroll and an early taste of the sunset light.
Map - 7:30 PM
Bar Lou
French bistro cooking in Montecito; steak frites and a martini make the right last dinner.
Map
Where to stay
Belmond El Encanto
Perched on the Riviera with bungalow suites, an infinity pool, and dinner already on-site at El Encanto: the most complete splurge base for this plan.
Hotel Californian
Right in the Funk Zone, Hotel Californian puts you steps from The Lark and the harbour, with design-forward rooms and a rooftop that earns its keep.
Make Santa Barbara your trip
Swearby drafts the days from places people swear by. Swap any stop, then invite the crew by text, even friends without the app. Vote on dates, track costs as you go, and everyone gets one number at the end.
Get Swearby on the App StoreBefore you go
Book ahead
- Santa Barbara Botanic Garden: a few days ahead
- Santa Barbara Zoo: a few days ahead
- Santa Barbara Harbor sunset cruise: weeks ahead
- Lotusland: weeks ahead
- Santa Cruz Island: weeks ahead
- Anacapa Island: weeks ahead
Skip these
- Full dinners on Stearns Wharf by default. The wharf is for the walk, the view and the Sea Center, plus Shellfish Company specifically.
- Paying Funk Zone hotel prices then driving everywhere anyway. The premium is walkability.
- Driving yourself between Santa Ynez tastings. Highway 154 over the pass is winding and patrolled. Use tours, shuttles or a designated driver.
- Expecting a tropical swim. The water is cold and June can stay grey until midday.
The full Santa Barbara travel guide: when to go, safety, getting around