Santa Barbara, often called the American Riviera, welcomes visitors with beautiful weather, gorgeous vistas, and unique attractions.
Beachside Santa Barbara is a great vacation destination for travelers looking for a way to experience a different way of life while on holiday. Located between Los Angeles and San Francisco just off Highway 101, getting and staying in the area couldn’t be more convenient. The Spanish heritage can be seen in the gorgeous architecture around the city and the setting could not be more amazing. Breathtaking mountains, valleys, beaches, island, and the sea make Santa Barbara famous around the world.
These natural treasures and rich cultural diversity inspire a rich cultural arts scene with world-class music, opera, dance, and theatre year round. In fact, Santa Barbara has a reputation as one of the top five art colonies in the West! In addition to the fine arts found in the area, some as the best restaurants in the world can be experienced while in town. Prepared with fresh local produce and paired with superb vintages from the Santa Barbara Wine Country, the seafood in the area is some of the best found in the country.
Enjoy tastes from Argentina, America, Italy, Japan, France, Thailand, or the Mediterranean or enjoy spicy Mexican cuisine from the city’s rich Hispanic heritage. Try the Waterfront Grill, the Soho Restaurant, Bouchon Santa Barbara, or Enoteca Primo to taste the best the city has to offer. Stroll along the quaint cobbled streets and arcades to experience Santa Barbara’s first-class national and international stores, as well as, unique local shops and boutiques.
The State Street corridor is the heart of downtown shopping offering antiques, gifts, clothing, and unique homemade crafts from specialty stores and chic boutiques.
The year-round sunshine and variety of geography found in the Santa Barbara area gives visitors a great line-up of outdoor activities and adventures. The Santa Ynez Mountains, the Los Padres National Forest, and more than 100 miles of coastline make a paradise for sports enthusiasts. Mountain bikers, rock climbers, whale watchers, paragliders, SCUBA divers, hang gliders, birders, hikers, golfers, and, of course, surfers all flock here to experience some of the best nature has to offer. The water activities in the area can be enjoyed in the Pacific Ocean with its warm sparkling waters and rich marine life. The other main attraction in the area is the wine country. Santa Barbara County has become one of California’s premier wine touring and tasting destinations. It is recognized as one of the world’s best wine regions for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Home to more than 60 wineries, the area is recognized for renowned vintages, quaint towns, and friendly locals. Whether you are coming to Santa Barbara for the scenery, the climate, the activities, or the wine, it makes for a great vacation spot!