Help with Santa Barbara
 

My husband and I are thinking about going to Santa Barbara in late October or early November. We've spent a lot of time in Northern California and would like to begin to venture south and explore the area. We are in our 60's, like to hike, visit wineries, go to museums and are interested in art galleries. I've been looking at hotels and it seems a little difficult to figure out the best placed area. Some hotels say they are on the west beach, some say east beach and both say they are within walking distance of downtown. I guess that's possible if downtown if midway between them.

Anyway, I've just begun my research, but I thought I would see if the Fodorites have any Santa Barbara favorites. I was thinking about 5 nights with possible day trips would be about the right time. Thoughts? Please offer suggestions if you've had a great experience there.

We spent 8 nights in Santa Barbara earlier this month, semi-spur-of the moment, not much time to plan. We wound up staying here:
https://www.sbhotels.com/lavender-inn-by-the-sea

Slightly closer to west beach than east beach, a 10-15 minute walk to lower State Street, the Funk Zone, or Stearns Wharf. Not really close to anything, but not far either. Reasonably priced, nothing fancy but clean and comfortable. No complaints. Great staff. They serve wine in the afternoons and provide a bottle of champagne in the room. There are a number of similar looking hotels in that area. We had a great trip.

I was there only briefly and want to return sometime. Sights include the Santa Barbara Mission, Stearns Wharf, the Waterfront, El Presidio State Historical Park, Botanic Gardens, centuries-old oaks in Mission Canyon, great restaurants and some of the best beaches in America such as East Beach. On Sundays along the waterfront in Santa Barbara they always have an artist fair.

The art museum is not much, not sure about the art gallery scene. The top attraction of the city is the Courthouse. The homeless situation downtown is tiresome so should factor into lodging selection. I haven't visited the winery area but consider staying there some days if touring wineries is a main focus.

My impression was that the town was mostly a relaxing weekend destination for LA. Unless you are relaxing not sure how you would fill 4 days.

Thanks for the info. I'll keep looking at things. Any suggestions for interesting wineries?

I kind of agree with Tom as far as length of stay. I would spend a few days. In SB and then head to Santa Ynez for a few. For winery visits. Or even head. Up to Pismo/SLO/Cambria.

The beach is walking distance to most downtown restaurants as long as you love to walk. Daytime, and into the evenings on weekends, there's a shuttle that runs up and down State Street to the wharf if you want a lift. And parking is plentiful and pretty cheap in the downtown area too.

Harbor House Inn
The Eagle Inn
Lavender Inn
Bath Street Inn or Hotel Santa Barbara (downtown)
or (high end) The Kimpton Canary

I'd agree that if you have time, spend a couple of nights up near Santa Ynez for wine tasting. Take nice drives through the ranch country/hills and visit a few of the vineyards. Hotel Corque is at the quiet end of quirky little Solvang Village, and they always give out a wine map with two-for-one-tasting offers. On the higher end there's the Santa Ynez Inn or Fess Parker's Wine Country Inn. Just a day drive up to the area would be nice if that's all the extra time that you have, but after wine tasting you'll want to have dinner and let the traffic settle before heading back to Santa Barbara, it's a winding-road of a trip in spots and can be trafficky and slow from 4pm to 7pm.

Thanks for the suggestions Clark. We can easily add another day for a couple of days in Santa Ynez. Checking out the hotels next.

Any recommendations for restaurants? We have lived in Texas and New Mexico, so we are truly missing Mexican food and interior Mexican food. Living now in the PNW, we get some great seafood, but are always up for more, so if you know of any really good, fresh seafood, please include.

Thanks everyone for your help so far.

Gainey is a nice vineyard to visit in Santa Ynez. https://gaineyvineyard.com/our-ranches

In Santa Barbara, we like Shoreline Beach Cafe for moderately-priced, good food, sitting at waterside.
https://shorelinebeachcafe.com

I like Rancho Sisquoc, it is on a working ranch so a nice drive through some countryside.
Try their Cabernet Franc if they are not sold out (they often are).

"Any recommendations for restaurants? We have lived in Texas and New Mexico, so we are truly missing Mexican food and interior Mexican food. Living now in the PNW, we get some great seafood, but are always up for more, so if you know of any really good, fresh seafood, please include."

Loquita and Santa Mescal in Santa Barbara are both excellent. La Super Rica is the famous hole-in-the-wall with lines around the block.

There's also a good Mexican restaurant in Santa Ynez village. https://www.santabarbara.com/dining/ has a good dining directory that includes Santa Ynez restaurants. Brothers Red Barn is one of our favorite spots in Santa Ynez and we also enjoy the River Grill at the Alisal Ranch near Solvang.

Oh my, such an overrated and unpleasant a place to eat, at least it's cheap.

I am not a big fan of Santa Barbara but as far as Mexican food, maybe this article will help, I don't even remember the last time I stopped in Santa Barbara to eat.

https://santabarbaraca.com/itinerary...ra-taco-trail/

We live in SB 80% of the time and it’s a great town full of amazing architecture and great food. The above taco Mexican food list is pretty good. Our favorites are Corazon in the public market (also has a great Thai place-Empty Bowl), La Super rica #16 and Los Agaves Moljcate sea and earth. We also love Sama Sama for Californian Malaysian, Bibi Ji best Indian food anywhere, Lucky’s steakhouse an iconic spot in Montecito, San Ysidro Ranch Stonehouse for amazing patio dining. Last two are expensive. I’m not a big fan of touristy west beach hotels, I’d prefer Montecito Inn in Montecito or Pali house in upper downtown. And for coffee don’t miss Handlebars.

The courthouse is beautiful and voted most beautiful building in the US by the AIA. The inside tile work rivals the Alhambra. A tour of Lotus land in Montecito is also a not to be missed experience. The mission and the rose garden across the street are interesting sights as well as UCSB campus on the ocean (Go Gauchos!). We love Butterfly and Miramar beach and having a drink at the new Miramar is fun. The funk zone is very lively and Helena Bakery and Loquita are both great. Lots of winery’s and you can taste wine for hours. Thursday night downtown is the Arts Walk and since they closed off the state street it can turn into quite a party. Have fun!