Discover What to Do in Santa Barbara in Just 48 Hours

Santa Barbara has a unique coastal charm and natural beauty, but it’s also full of Spanish cultural influences and luxurious attractions. As busy as it is, Santa Barbara is fortunately the sort of city that you can get a good taste of in just 48 hours.

Santa Barbara is a vibrant, flourishing city, but we don’t all have the luxury of spending weeks there and seeing all the sites. For this reason, we’ve created this itinerary. Below is a guide to what to do in Santa Barbara if you only have 48 hours but still want to sample the nature, food, culture and leisure of the region.

Day 1 Morning: The Amazing Outdoors

After you’ve had your coffee, you can go to the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, which consists of 78 acres in Mission Canyon. The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is home to more than 1,000 species of rare plants, and it’s the ideal spot to spend just an hour or two.

There are also some beautiful views, which you can enjoy via a series of nearby hiking paths. If you are a novice walker, you can take a leisurely stroll along Mission Canyon. This allows you to appreciate the natural flora and the expansive vistas without becoming overexcited.

Santa Barbara Botanic Gardens (courtesy)

Day 1 Afternoon: Cultural Delights & Dining

Next on the agenda is the Funk Zone on Anacapa Street. This is one of the coolest places in the city, and it’s basically a complex of “tasting rooms, graffiti murals, galleries, local boutiques, up-and-coming restaurants”. For fans of food and drink, and especially wine, this is an unmissable attraction.

Whilst around the Funk Zone, you’ll want to check out the local art galleries, craft breweries and wine-tasting sessions. This is the ideal spot to grab some lunch and maybe even do a bit of shopping!

You might also want to stop at State Street whilst in the area. This shopping destination offers an impressive mixture of local boutique shops and prestigious chains.

If you’re ready to check into a hotel, we’d recommend the Hyatt Place Santa Barbara, a conveniently located spot with all the mod cons and friendly staff. For weekenders in Santa Barbara, there are a few better places to stay.

Day 1 Evening: Sunset & Dining

When you’re ready to unwind, visit the Santa Barbara beach. There, you can relax, enjoy the sunset, or even have a cool swim. Visitors often leave feedback on the quality of the oceanside seafood restaurants, so you may check out one of these. Here’s an overview of the top spots to consider:

The Lark	A farm-to-table restaurant serving high-quality new American food
Bouchon Santa Barbara	Californian-French fusion cuisine in a cosy, candle-lit setting
Los Agaves	A local chain serving beloved Mexican dishes, known for seafood enchiladas
Finney’s Crafthouse	Perfect for beer-lovers, this gastropub features amazing beer and equally good food
Brophy Bros.’ Clam Bar & Restaurant	Locally, it’s all about the seafood, and it doesn’t get much better than the clam chowder and oysters at this establishment

After eating, consider the local nightlife. There is a flourishing bar and nightclub life in Santa Barbara. You can expect live music, late-night dancing, luxurious wine bars and comfortable lounges.

Alternatively, if you’re in the mood for a bit of a flutter, you could check out a local land-based casino or even head back to your room and enjoy a few spins from the comfort of your suite! Xon Bet is an excellent platform with a dedicated mobile app and a permanent 5% cashback offer. Either way, the night’s yours to enjoy!

Day 2 Morning: Wellness & Coastal Walks

Whether you’re nursing a slight hangover or not, the fresh air of the Santa Barbara coast will do you some good! Consider a jog or a stroll along the beachfront as the sun rises, or try hiring a bike and taking it to the Cabrillo Pathway.

The Cabrillo Pathway is a cycle path that runs all the way from Shoreline Park down to the Bird refuge in Montecito, and you can see as much or as little of it as you like.

The wellness scene in California is still thriving, and there are loads of opinions for those who’d like to engage with it. From morning yoga classes to fancy spa treatments, there’s bound to be something to help everyone relax.

Once you’re ready for breakfast, take a look at the many local cafés with seafront aspects. These are a beautiful place to enjoy a coffee and a pastry, or even something a bit more substantial.

Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History (courtesy)

Day 2 Afternoon: Museums & Maritime History

This is a city which wears its nautical history proudly. There’s a lot of fascinating history to be soaked up, and the local museums are an ideal distraction from the hustle and bustle of midday in the city.

The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum or MOXI (Museum of Innovation) are both great places to brush up on your local knowledge. Both are full of fascinating facts, but also interactive opportunities that should appeal to youngsters too.

In case you’re a seafood fan, you won’t want to miss the locally-fished dishes. Lunch is a great time to sample freshly-landed seafood.

Optional extras, if you happen to have a bit of extra time to fill, include coastal tours of the harbour or even dolphin-watching excursions.

Day 2 Evening: The Perfect Finale

The ideal place to mark the end of your Santa Barbara trip would be Stearns Wharf. It is a historical landmark which is unbelievably beautiful. It’s not only the perfect place to buy a few final souvenirs, but it’s also home to some excellent wine-tasting spots and meal opportunities.

Consider having dinner around Stearns Wharf and taking in the romantic spectacle of these epic Pacific views. Again, there’s likely to be a lot of seafood on the menu, so you won’t regret it! Take the opportunity to try some of the freshest fish.

Optional Extras

Everyone’s different, and some people like to mix things up more than others. Here are a few extra things that you might want to do if they suit you and fit into your schedule:

Beach tour: Visit the East Beach, West Beach, and Butterfly Beach in Montecito. All are great for swimming and sunbathing.
Channel Islands National Park: You can hire a boat to visit these islands, which are great for hiking, snorkelling and exploring.
Whale watching: If you’re lucky enough to be in the Santa Barbara Channel during migration season, you might glimpse a few whales!

Summary

Santa Barbara is the perfect place for a weekend. Visitors will leave feeling satisfied and as though they’ve got a real taste of the area, but also as though there are still plenty more attractions to make it worth coming back again.

A few of the highlights include the natural splendour of the region, the delicious seafood and wine-tasting opportunities, and the chance to learn something new about this rich and fascinating place.