Spotlight: 48 hours in Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is a slice of heaven along Highway 1. This Californian Riviera town has a relaxed vibe with jaw-dropping views.

Map out your stay, depending on what type of trip you want, you will want to choose your location wisely.

Romantic getaways and older crowds gravitate towards Montecito. Younger crowds head to downtown Santa Barbara and Goleta where pricing decreases quite a bit. Just keep in mind that Santa Barbara is a little stretch of the Californian coast that is unforgivably expensive (think: $350 for Holiday Inn Express on summer weekends). If you opt to stay in Montecito or Goleta know that there is constant traffic on the 101, but you’re still an easy 15-minute ride to downtown Santa Barbara.

Location: 1.5 hours from Los Angeles

EAT

The Lark: I dream about this dining experience on my birthday a few years ago. The food is incredible, the ambiance is perfection. There’s not a better place to dine for a special occasion, or if you just want to treat yourself.

Sama Sama Kitchen: Locals farm products meet Indonesian fusion tapas.

Outpost Kitchen: This tiny spot at the Goodland Hotel in Goleta serves up California cuisine with local ingredients and regional influences. Did I mention there are fire pits, delicious cocktails and s’mores?

Wildwood Kitchen: BBQ joint with local infusions.

Jeannie’s: This place is a local  institution with two locations in Santa Barbara and one in Montecito. It’s simple food, but delicious!

DRINK

The Funk Zone and Urban Wine Trail are good places to start for roundup of drinking spots in Santa Barbara.

Deep Sea Tasting Room: Normally I avoid anything on a pier, but this is my exception to the rule. When a tasting room is dog-friendly, has exceptional wines, offers outdoor seating, and offers 360 degree views of the Pacific ocean and mountains, you do it! (dog-friendly)

Municipal Winemakers: This is a hip spot, but not in an obnoxious way. The bartenders are super friendly and the reclaimed wood and vintage furnishings make you feel at home. (dog-friendly outside) Tip: try their Pinot!

Area 51: This is for my sci-fi nerds out there. The exit backs up into the entrance for the Lark, so if you’re on the way to dinner stop by for a quick drink.

Brass Beer Brewing Company: If you need a break from all the vino, this is a husband wife team brewing beer in the Funk Zone.

The Good Lion: this quaint speakeasy feels like a throwback. They even have bites from neighboring Sama Sama.

DO

Visit The Mill: This place puts a modern spin on a feed mill and is a local artisan marketplace with manufacturers producing on site. The Mill contains a Production Winery and Tasting Bar, Craft Brewery and Tap Room, and Specialty Restaurant and Event Center.

Get Your History On: Visit the Old Mission and take a tour through the Courthouse (M-F at 10:30 a.m. and daily at 2 p.m.) to get a taste of the Spanish influences and learn a little bit about the city.

Drive to Montecito: This town exudes luxury and has tons of chic boutiques.

Day trip to Santa Ynez wineries: Los Olivos is a tiny gem. This town comprises a few streets, some fun tasting rooms and lunch spots, and a general store. Wineries we like: Firestone, Fess Parker, Sunstone, Buttonwood, Zaca Mesa.

Take a surf lesson: Cause it’s the rad thing to do.

Day trip to Ojai: We love this  quaint hippy town nestled into a valley. Here’s the scoop on Ojai.

*Tip: If you have a dog, go to the dog-friendly part of the state beach. It’s close to town and perfect for walking and taking photos while your dog runs out that energy!

SLEEP

*Four Seasons Santa Barbara $$$$$

This Spanish-style beauty sits oceanfront and has a pool club where you can soak up the sun. The tropical landscaping and Spanish tiles transport you to another place entirely. With bungalow-style accommodations overlooking the Pacific and Channel Islands, the Four Seasons Biltmore epitomizes luxury and elegance. Recommend for: families & couples & girlfriends/guys getaways

*Belmond Santa Barbara $$$$$ 

Perched on a hill above town, El Encanto is a historic staple of the town around since 1920s (with obvious upgrades since) . Worried about not being right downtown? They offer complimentary van rides within a 5-mile radius or you can grab one of the complimentary bikes and cruise into town. Sip a drink while enjoying the ocean views at the infinity pool. Recommend for: families & couples

*San Ysidro Ranch $$$$$ 

This is the ultimate in secluded luxury and style. As you wind your way up the foothills of Santa Barbara  you may think your lost, but once you hit the cypress tree-lined driveway, you know you’re in for a treat. Stroll through the chefs garden, or read your book at the tranquil pool with canyon views. 41 individually-decorated cottages with massive outdoor decks, hottubs, and rain showers.  No surprise that its’ been voted number 1 hotel in America by Forbes and constantly featured in Travel + Leisure and Conde Naste. Recommend for: families & couples

Kimpton Canary $$$$

This is one stylish hotel! If you’re a boutique hotel lover, this one’s for you. Recommend for couples. Up side: pets allowed, the only rooftop pool in SB. Downside: no spa.

Kimpton Goodland $$

Has the feel of the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs with the simplistic room decor and hip amenities, but is a little classier. The restaurant serves up Californian bites and craft cocktails, but the best part is the fire pit where they hand out s’more kits. Price drops down the further outside the city you get, but Goleta has a  little shopping center close by with Trader Joe’s, smoothie place, and coffee shops. Recommend for: younger couples, friends getaways

Fess Parker Hotel $$$$

Yep, it’s THAT Fess Park, of wine fame. If you’re in search of a downtown Santa Barbara hotel with oceanfront rooms, this is your place. Mission-style property with (you guessed it) a wine tasting room for the adults and the nearby zoo and two pools the kids. Plus, if you’re a Hilton Honors member, you can earn points. Recommend for: families, couples, singles

Be on the lookout for a newcomer to the luxury hotel scene opening summer 2017, across from the pier: Hotel Californian.

*Indicates a Virtuoso partner with the following amenities:

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Breakfast daily, for up to two in room guests
• $100 USD Equivalent Food & Beverage credit
• Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi