Santa Barbara County Courthouse: This is a beautiful building just to go see and walk through. You can even climb to the top for amazing views of downtown Santa Barbara.
Old Mission Santa Barbara: A historic landmark in Santa Barbara that was established in 1786. This mission is just beautiful to go see and walk around.
Stearns Wharf: You definitely have to walk out on this pier at the end of State Street to see another beautiful view of Santa Barbara. There are also options for food and gift shops out on the wharf.
Mesa Lane Beach: This beach can be accessed by a long staircase tucked away in a neighborhood and it is a beautiful spot to stop and watch the sunset. The view is so worth it!
Cliff Drive: If you are looking for a beautiful drive just to check out other views and gorgeous real estate, then this is a great road for a drive. I would suggest late afternoon and then stopping at a beach access to see the sunset.
Cabrillo Beach Bike Path: A beautiful path just to take a walk along, go for a run, or ride your bike on. This is right along the waterfront in the main downtown area.
Here are some restaurants we stopped at on our trip and others that I have tried before.
McConnell's: If you love ice cream, then you must stop here. There are two locations on State St and another on Mission St. My favorite flavors from this trip were Turkish Coffee and Salted Carmel Chip.
Finney's Crafthouse & Kitchen: If you are looking for a fun and lively atmosphere, delicious food and drinks, and something near downtown SB, then try this place for dinner and/or drinks.
Eureka Burger: If you just want a good burger or drinks, then I would recommend stopping here and sitting on the patio right off of Chapala St.
Sandbar: We did not eat here on this trip, but I have been here in the past and it is really good. A fun, outdoor Mexican restaurant right on State St.
Longboard's Grill: If you're looking for something laid back with a tropical vibe and on the water, then this place has seafood, burgers, and drinks right on the wharf.
On this trip we stopped at Los Olivos on our last morning then headed to Ojai on our way home to check it out.
Los Olivos: A charming, quaint town that is about a fifty minute drive from Santa Barbara. If you love wine tasting, this is your place to check out. The drive to get here is also beautiful.
Solvang: This is a Danish style town with fun architecture, restaurants, pastries, shops, and just neat streets to walk through. It is also about a fifty minute drive from Santa Barbara.
Ojai: This is actually a city in Ventura County which you can head to on your way to or from SB. The drive to this area is also beautiful! It is another quaint, main street to walk through with restaurants and shops.
