1. Stay at Belmond El Encanto
The Belmond El Encanto is a stunning hotel in Santa Barbara. Book a room at this hotel if you are looking for a luxurious and filled with Californian flair. A bit away from the main drag this hotel is perfect for relaxing and rejuvenating. They have stunning accommodations, a spa, glorious food, and a top-notch restaurant. The hotel rooms show off beautiful California-inspired designs. This looks like a wonderful place to relax and recharge from work + life. This room is bursting with neutral colors and sunlight.
2. Stop by the Santa Barbara Museum of Art
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Stop by the Santa Barbara Museum of Art for an afternoon filled with art and inspiration. They carry a wide range of artwork including over 25,000 works of art. With pieces spanning over 5,000 years of human creativity, you’ll find everything from classical antiquities to masterpieces of French Impressionism. Making this a great stop for any art lover! Their collection of Monet paintings surpasses any other West Coast museum.
3. Checkout Lotusland
If you are a botanical fanatic make sure to stop by Lotusland for a real treat! This botanical garden houses more than 3,000 different species of plants. Plus they feature a large succulent collection. Lotusland was founded by Polish opera singer, Madame Ganna Walska. Lotusland includes 25 garden rooms that challenged conventional horticultural rules. This isn’t your average botanical garden. Her approach was unconventional as she densely packed single species in intimate spaces, and she had a penchant for the less celebrated plants such as aloes, cacti, and bromeliads. The rarer, the better! Now her garden has become a popular destination years later!
4. Be Delighted by the views at Stearns Wharf
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Don’t forget to check out the views at Stearns Wharf. The stunning pier is perfect for a walk, a photo op, grabbing a meal, or doing some shopping. Just look at how divine the water looks.
5. Pick up Some Fresh Produce at the Santa Barbara Farmers Market
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Stop by the Farmers Market for all of the best local finds. From food to produce, flowers, nicknacks, and all the in-between going to the farmers market is a great way to learn more about a new city. In 1979, Santa Barbara held its first farmers’ market at the Santa Barbara Mission, making it one of the 20 inaugural farmers’ markets in California. Today, many of the original vendors who participated in the first market, such as Randy Wade, Tom Shepherd, and Robert “BD” Dautch, continue to sell their fresh produce at our local farmers’ markets in Santa Barbara.
6. Eat at Bettina
Inside the restaurant.
Grab a bite at a fan-favorite pizzeria Bettina for a delicious meal in a stunning backdrop. This restaurant wins awards left and right and for a good reason! Bettina is a delicious modern American restaurant located in the Montecito Country Mart in Santa Barbara County. A gem among a low-key outdoor mall that doesn’t really look like anything special. Don’t let their appearance fool you! It’s quite delicious. Their Rotolo pasta and Campo and prosciutto pizza are the must-tries for a main course. Plus how cute is that interior?
7. Delight your senses at Alma Rosa Winery
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Stop by Alma Rose Winery for a relaxing end to your evening. I love to have a glass of wine with dinner! Plus this comes with top-notch selections and recommendations.
8. Visit Arroyo Burro Beach
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You don’t want to miss out on this incredible coastline. Check out one of the best beaches that Santa Barbara has to offer. Arroyo Burro Beach is a great daytime destination for a stunning view and bonus… It’s dog-friendly! Time to organize your beach bag and enjoy Arroyo Burro Beach.
9. Eat at The Stonehouse
This restaurant in Santa Barbara is on my list to try. San Ysidro Ranch provides a wonderful setting for this rustic stone “house,” which features lush gardens, creekside vistas, rough-hewn beams, and a wood-burning fireplace. Arrive early to have a tour around the grounds before your reservation. Oh yeah, The Stonehouse is a Michelin-star restaurant.
