A curated itinerary to the best of the California coast — where to stay, what to do, and how to make the most of every day.
If you're driving up from LA, resist the urge to take the 101 the whole way. Detour onto the Pacific Coast Highway south of Malibu and let the ocean walk alongside you. Stop at El Matador State Beach for a quick stretch — the sea stacks and tide pools are unlike anything you'll find near the stadium. By the time you arrive in Santa Barbara, the pace has already slowed.
Prefer to skip the drive entirely? The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner from Union Station runs along the coastline and delivers you to downtown Santa Barbara in about 2.5 hours — order a coffee from the café car and watch the Pacific roll by.
Check into your home, change out of travel clothes, and resist the urge to plan anything. The best first afternoon in Santa Barbara starts at East Beach — Santa Barbara's longest and most beautiful stretch of sand. Walk west towards State Street, grab fish tacos with a view of the city at the end of the wharf, and let the rhythm of the place settle over you. The Santa Barbara Harbor is worth a slow wander too, with its working fishing boats and sailboats bobbing against the backdrop of the Santa Ynez Mountains.
If you have energy for one cultural stop, the free Red Tile Walking Tour through downtown takes about an hour and covers the city's Spanish Colonial architecture — the Santa Barbara County Courthouse is particularly worth a climb to the clock tower for panoramic views.
End your first evening at Butterfly Beach in Montecito — a narrow, exclusive stretch of sand where the sunsets are spectacular. Watch the sky shift to pinks and golds over the Channel Islands before making your way to dinner.
For dinner, Montecito's Coast Village Road offers some of the finest casual-to-refined dining in the region. Caruso's at the Rosewood Miramar (Michelin-starred, Michelin Green Star) is the headline act — locally sourced seafood and Italian-Californian cuisine in one of the most beautiful dining rooms on the California coast. For something slightly more relaxed, Tre Lune on Coast Village Road is a beloved Montecito institution with exceptional Italian.
Santa Barbara's hiking trails are best before 10am when the marine layer still cools the hillsides. Inspiration Point in the front country offers a 3.5-mile round trip with sweeping views of the city, ocean, and Channel Islands — worth every step.
For something gentler, the Shoreline Park trail along the Mesa bluffs is a flat, scenic 1.5-mile walk with the Pacific directly below. Finish with coffee at Dart Coffee in the harbor — ethically sourced, beautifully made, and a local institution for a reason.
Santa Barbara's Urban Wine Trail brings the region's celebrated wine country into the city — over 30 tasting rooms concentrated in the downtown core and in the Funk Zone, Santa Barbara's arts-and-wine district near the waterfront. Au Bon Climat, Jamie Slone Wines, and Municipal Winemakers are all worth a stop.
The Funk Zone itself has evolved into one of the more interesting small neighborhoods in California — local galleries, bottle shops, and the kind of restaurants that don't advertise. For lunch, Lucky Penny in the Funk Zone makes some of the best wood-fired pizza on the coast. Or head to Tamar for elevated Mediterranean and some of the most interesting wine-by-the-glass pours in the city.
Santa Barbara has no shortage of evening options. Several spots in the Funk Zone and on State Street show sport games on large screens in a relaxed, genuinely convivial atmosphere — Lama Sama and Brass Bear Brewing are both worth knowing about.
Santa Barbara's harbor is one of the most sheltered on the California coast, which makes it ideal for kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, or a gentle morning sail. Paddle Sports Center and Santa Barbara Adventure Company both offer rentals and guided tours. On a paddleboard, the rhythm of the coast takes over, with uninterrupted views back toward the city.
For something more structured, Surf Happens offers small-group surf lessons at beginner-friendly breaks. Follow it with brunch at Scarlett Begonia — organic, locally sourced, and one of the most quietly beloved breakfast spots in the city. The lemon ricotta pancakes are worth planning around.
The Santa Ynez Valley — the setting for the film Sideways and home to some of California's most acclaimed Pinot Noir and Chardonnay — is just 40 minutes from downtown Santa Barbara over the San Marcos Pass. The towns of Los Olivos and Solvang are both worth an afternoon. Los Olivos is compact and walkable, with a dozen tasting rooms within a few blocks. Solvang offers something more unusual — a Danish village in the middle of California wine country, with excellent pastry shops and a charming main street.
For those who prefer to stay coastal, the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden and the Santa Barbara Museum of Art are both exceptional ways to spend a slow afternoon. Perfect if you're staying a little longer.
Your last evening calls for something memorable. Flor de Maiz on Cabrillo Blvd delivers elevated Mexican cuisine — bold, fresh, house-made tortillas and a mezcal list worth exploring. For a more Italian evening, Convivo at the Santa Barbara Inn has an ocean-view terrace and a menu that champions local farmers and fishermen in equal measure.
If the coast has done its work — and it usually does — you may find yourself wondering why three days were ever going to be enough. Our team is standing by to extend your stay or simply ensure your last morning is as unhurried as your first.
From intimate coastal retreats to grand group estates, every Paradise Retreats property is curated for an exceptional California summer. Explore our collections below.
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