It’s no secret that Santa Barbara, California is a fantastic place to visit. Less than 100 miles north of Los Angeles, nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains, Santa Barbara offers 300+ days of sunshine, sweeping coastlines, distinctive architecture and world-class food and wines.
If you are planning a visit to the # 3 destination on the New York Times‘ list of 52 Places to Go in 2019 — here are some of my favorite things I found to do in Santa Barbara during my late January visit.
5 Things to See and Do in Santa Barbara
Head downtown to the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, completed in 1929, to see a beautiful example of the Spanish Colonial Revival Style of architecture popular throughout the city.
Take the elevators to the top of building’s 85 ft “El Mirador” clock tower for open-air, panoramic views of Santa Barbara in all directions.
Walk back down the tower steps, stopping to admire the Bisno Schall Clock Gallery.
Before you leave, visit the Mural Room (formerly Board of Supervisors’ Hearing Room) within the Santa Barbara County Courthouse. The wall murals depict the history of Santa Barbara.
Head to the nearby Funk Zone where the local art scene and wine culture come together. You will also find craft beer many food options.
I enjoyed a glass of the rose at while sitting outside at Corks n’ Crowns.
Drive to Arroyo Burro Beach, a public beach better known as Hendry’s Beach by Santa Barbara residents.
Take a walk on the beach and admire the surfers and the dogs.
Just to the east below the Wilcox Property Douglas Family Preserve is an off-leash dog area.
There’s even a dog washing station at the park.
After working up an appetite, stop for lunch at the Boathouse at Hendry’s Beach, an upscale seafood restaurant. The heated outdoor patio offers panoramic ocean views.
Drive about four miles from downtown Santa Barbara to Montecito to visit another scenic beachfront area.
Butterfly Beach is across the road from iconic The Biltmore Santa Barbara Four Seasons Resort.
When I visited Santa Barbara in January, Butterfly Beach was the perfect location to watch the Delta IV Heavy rocket launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base. (See the Vanderberg launch schedule here.
Finally, head out of town to the Cold Spring Tavern — located 20 minutes north of Santa Barbara.
Cold Spring Tavern was established as a stagecoach stop in 1865. The tavern was a “relay station” for changing horses and giving passengers a meal.
Today the Cold Spring Tavern is a scenic place to enjoy a beer and whatever might be cooking on the outdoor grill.
The Tavern was the first place to serve Steve Henson’s Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing in 1963 and still offers the dressing today.
What’s your favorite thing to see or do in Santa Barbara?
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