Visit Santa Barbara, CA

Santa Barbara sits between the Los Padres National forest and California’s central coast about an hour and a half northwest of Malibu. It’s Spanish roots are apparent throughout the city with an abundance of red tile clay roofed homes and several Spanish style buildings such as the Old Mission and county courthouse.

We chose to stay in Santa Barbara to enjoy the beach, wine and food before heading up the coastal highway. One of our old friends came back from Santa Barbara many years ago and told me that his wife was ready to move there. We can see why. The beach is situated so that you get morning sunrise views, there are long bike paths and walking and jogging paths, and a skateboard park along the beach. There appeared to be daily yoga classes happening right on the beach too! Between the ocean and those daily activities and the abundance of good food and near perfect weather… what is not to like (other than the price of homes there). We enjoyed our two nights in Santa Barbara and I expect we will return some day.

Below are some Santa Barbara facts, a bit of historical facts and a few frequently asked questions we've seen that are useful.

• In 1602, Spanish maritime explorer Sebastián Vizcaíno gave the name "Santa Barbara" to the channel and also to one of the Channel Islands in gratitude for having survived a violent storm in the Channel on December 3, the eve of the feast day of Saint Barbara.
• The first Native Americans ( the Chumash people) arrived in Santa Barbara approximately 13,000 years ago.
• Santa Barbara was destroyed by earthquakes in 1812 and 1925 and had to be rebuilt.
• The first Europeans in Santa Barbara were part of a Spanish expedition in 1542 led by the Portuguese explorer Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo. On his return voyage, he injured his leg during a fight with native indians and died from gangrene.
• The United States conquest of California in the Mexican–American War broke out in May 1846 over the annexation of Texas. The Mexican Army initially repulsed the takeover of Santa Barbara until Major John C. Fremont attacked on December 24, 1846 with a force of 300 men. Click here to read the John C. Fremont Wikipedia Article.
• In 1850 California became the 31st State in the United States.
• Are Santa Barbara beaches safe to swim in? There is a County Water Quality Program and there are State Water standards and the Ocean water is tested frequently.
• Is there a Santa Barbara Airport? - Yes, known as Santa Barbara Airport (SBA), it is owned and operated by the City of Santa Barbara and offers a variety of services.
• Is Santa Barbara dog friendly? Yes - Friendly pets of all sizes are allowed in downtown Santa Barbara on-leash. Lots of inviting open-air patios and dining options make it a great place to grab a bite while your canine companion soaks up some sun.
• How far is Santa Barbara from Los Angeles? - It is a 1 hour 26 minute drive (94.7 miles) via US-101 North.
• What is Santa Barbara's Population? - 87,533 as of 2022.
• Are there sharks in the Ocean near Santa Barbara's beaches? - Shark attacks off the California coast are rare, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
• How safe is Santa Barbara, CA? - The metropolitan area's violent crime rate was lower than the national rate in 2022. Its rate of property crime was lower than the national rate.
• Why is Santa Barbara expensive? - Housing is the main contributor to the high cost of living. Grocery and healthcare costs are also above the national average, while utilities and transportation costs are below the national average.
• Why visit Santa Barbara? - Called the 'American Riviera,' it has a Mediterranean climate all year long (60 to 80F), with 300+ days of sun. It is situated between the Pacific Ocean and Santa Ynez Mountains, making it the perfect place for outdoor activities like surfing, biking, hiking, diving, SUP, sailing, fishing all year round.

As of 9/7/2024 Google says there are 104 accommodations of all types, sizes and ratings in Santa Barbara, and if you are so inclined, you could search through the Google Search Results list here. The top five miost popular accommodations below are based upon "guest rating";

1. The Eagle Inn: Located in the popular West Beach neighborhood of Santa Barbara, the Eagle Inn is a comfortable bed and breakfast-style boutique hotel by the water. The marina and beach are just a 3-minute walk away, and Stearn’s Wharf, The Funk Zone and State Street, Santa Barbara’s main shopping street, are just a 10-minute walk. (4.8 guest rating)
2. Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara: Built in a colonial Spanish style and set in 22 acres of lush gardens, this luxury resort across from the beach is 4 miles from downtown Santa Barbara. (4.7 guest rating)
3. Rosewood Miramar Beach: Set off Highway 101, this 5 star hotel on 16 acres is next to Miramar Beach and the Pacific Ocean, and 4 miles from the famed Stearns Wharf. (4.7 guest rating)
4. Harbor House Inn: This boutique hotel is a 2-minute walk from West Beach, and 12 minutes' walk from shopping and dining on Stearns Wharf. (4.8 guest rating)
5. La Playa Inn: Oceanfront area with a wide beach & historic Stearns Wharf pier, plus an aquarium & maritime museum. (4.8 guest rating)

We decided to stay at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort based upon it's location and because we had Hilton Honors points to use! This hotel is directly across the street from East Beach and the Pacific Ocean and the location really can’t be beat if you enjoy being close to the Ocean and being able to walk or bike along the bike path or walk to area restaurants. The hotel hosts many functions and weddings. There were several being held while we were there. The rooms are a good size and each room has a balcony or patio. The pool is large and the area has a small bar serving drinks during the day. There is a jacuzzi as well. In addition there is a bar and restaurant serving food and drinks. One evening we had a charcuterie and a couple of glasses of wine which made the perfect light meal.

Cabrillo Park is a multi-use park situated adjacent to the Hilton Santa Barbara Resort and across the street from East Beach. It is equipped with a baseball field and a 1/3-mile health and fitness walking path that features 13 pieces of fitness equipment arranged in a circuit for circuit training. There is a baseball field and it is a popular location for many locals. Every time we came by this park, there were a number of people enjoying various sporting activities, including one game that we had never seen, called "Spikeball".

As of 9/7/2024 Google says Santa Barbara, California has over 450 restaurants, including five-star restaurants, mom-and-pop cafes, and burger joints. Some of the best restaurants in Santa Barbara are known for their classic seafood dishes, such as oysters, clam chowder, and lobster rolls. Click here to view a Google Search Results list for all Santa Barbara restaurants. Below is a list of the five most popular restaurants;

1. Boathouse at Hendry's Beach: Upscale seafood & brunch spot on the beach with panoramic ocean views & a heated outdoor patio.
2. The Lark Santa Barbara: Urbane eatery in a former fish market offers New American fare in wood-lined quarters with a patio.
3. Brophy Bros.: Local seafood, a clam bar & signature Bloody Marys in a bustling, casual harborside space.
4. bouchon Santa Barbara: Californian French cuisine made with organic farm-fresh ingredients & paired with local wines.
5. Finney's Crafthouse: Brick-lined gastropub with a copper bar featuring unique eats, local beer on tap & craft cocktails.

We had dinner at the Hilton Resort's "The Set" where they serve bistro-style classic dishes and specialty cocktails for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. The food & service was very good, but a bit on the expensive side.

On a subsequent evening we weren’t in the mood for a “formal dinner" so we looked up some informal options and came across East Beach Tacos. It had some good reviews and it was close enough to walk from the hotel. When we arrived they were doing a brisk business and were surprised to see that it was not only a taco joint but a taco and batting cages joint which brought a bit of fun to the meal. We got to watch kids practice while we ate our tacos. One of the things that I really liked was that they offered individual tacos for a very reasonable price so you could mix and match your tacos. We had fish tacos and shrimp tacos and a side of guacamole and chips with a couple of beers. The guacamole was fresh and the chips tasted homemade. The tacos were some of the better tacos we’ve had. If you are in town, give them a try.

Click here for their website.

• Just Traveling Thru Travel Planning Tips
• History of Santa Barbara on the Britannica Website
• History timeline of Santa Barbara on the "City of Santa Barbara" Website
• Google search list results for "lodging in Santa Barbara"
• Google search list results for "Restaurants in Santa Barbara"
• Amazon Search Results list for "Santa Barbara"
• Visit our Youtube Channel
• Our Image Gallery for Santa Barbara
• Wikipedia Article for Santa Barbara
• Google Image Gallery for Santa Barbara
• Google Reviews for Santa Barbara

As you can see in this static map, we had a number of destinations (as well as a number of side trips) that would require a considerable amount of driving. Each of the itinerary stops is linked to our content (or page) to allow you to view our content.

Locations / Start & End points are both San Francisco International Airport

1. San Francisco Hilton Financial District.
2. Bonita Point Lighthouse and Fort Baker area.
3. Sausalito, CA.
4. Santa Rosa, CA in the heart of the Sonoma County Wine District.
5. Salida, CA - overnight rest stop along the way to Yosemite.
6. Yosemite National Park, CA where we stayed at the Rush Creek Lodge.
7. Frontieres Underground Garden Fresno, CA - this was an entertainment side stop, as we had read about this place and also wanted to get lunch.
8. Santa Barbara, CA
9. Morro Bay, CA.
10. Monterey Bay, CA to explore the Monterey Bay and Carmel by the Sea areas.