Paradise Retreats Blog

Winter is a fun time here in Santa Barbara, so you’re coming to us at the perfect time. Not only do we have fun winter activities for you to enjoy, but you’ll also get to experience Santa Barbara Winter sightseeing! Make sure to visit our favorite sightseeing hotspots while you’re in town: Mission Santa Barbara No matter the time of year, this is one of our favorite places to go...

Lying 11 miles east of Santa Barbara, the time-warped beach town of Carpinteria – so named because Chumash carpenters once built seafaring canoes here – is a laid-back place. You could easily spend an hour or two wandering in and out of antiques shops and beachy boutiques along Linden Ave, downtown’s main street and enjoy a relaxing night at our fantastic Carpinteria Dreamin’ vacation home. Avoid the summer crowds and...

Known as “Queen of the Missions,” Santa Barbara is perhaps most famous for the Spanish architectural style that has influenced the city since its birth. It truly sets Santa Barbara apart from all other cities in America and gives it a unique and vibrant personality that is reflected in each and every shop. Check out some of the most unique shops in Santa Barbara: Plum Goods This is a locally...

There’s always something happening in Santa Barbara, whether it’s a musical act or a fun festival or a quirky activity that you won’t see in any other city. Put these upcoming Santa Barbara events on your calendar and get excited about your vacation! Hozier Hozier is a multi-platinum singer and songwriter, and one of the most influential modern artists of our times. His most recent album Wasteland, Baby! debuted at...

When you come to Santa Barbara, it’s probably because you love the beach, you love city life, and you love finding little adventures to fill the day. Some of the best adventures you can take here are the guided Santa Barbara tours offered in town by the friendly locals who just want to share the best of Santa Barbara. Check out our favorites: Historic Santa Barbara Food Tasting Tour Take...

When you come to Santa Barbara this year, set aside some time between beach visits and seafood delights to delve deeper into the culture of the city. There are some hidden gems here of a unique nature that you’d love to see while you’re in town. Anyone can tell you to visit the beach, but only locals know about the most amazing Santa Barbara activities: Santa Barbara Surfing Museum As...

Fall in Santa Barbara is a beautiful and exciting affair. When your family comes to visit us in Santa Barbara, you’re going to be so happy about all the different family activities you can experience during your kids’ fall break from school. Here’s a helpful list of some of our favorite things to do with our families this time of year: Family-Friendly Eateries When you’re searching for a restaurant to...

Santa Barbara is one of the finest cities you can visit on the West Coast during the fall season. There’s so much to do here that you’ll be busy dawn to dusk! Not to mention the gorgeous weather, beautiful landscape, and the cultural liveliness that gets even sharper this time of year. Here are our favorite ways to enjoy Santa Barbara activities in the fall: Take the Santa Barbara Wine...

One of the most popular pastimes year-round with locals and tourists in Santa Barbara is fishing. The Large Santa Barbara Channel is the perfect location to reel in big catches and have a relaxing day at your favorite fishing hole. Several spots in Santa Barbara have become more popular for their abundance of fish and higher likelihood to reel in a big one. Here are the top Santa Barbara fishing...

Take advantage of the three-day Labor Day Weekend this year by planning a trip to one of the most beautiful and fun-filled cities on the west coast. Santa Barbara is lovely in September, so what better time to come visit? While you’re here, you’ll want to make the most of the long weekend. Here are some ideas for attractions to hit each day for you Santa Barbara Labor Day Weekend....