We just decided to fly to go to Santa Barbara for a few days. We just don't know where else to go? Should we go to Cambria or San Diego? The plan is to stay 3 nights in Santa Barbara and then 4 nights elsewhere.
We like to relax, but want to have things to do. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

If it's soon, I'd say San Diego...a little warmer and more to do. Just plan you're drive so that you don't get stuck in heavy L.A. traffic between 3 and 7:30pm weeknights.

Hi Tad, don't know if you two are beach people or not, and do not know when you are planning this trip.

It does sound like your trip is really soon (like maybe this coming weekend?)

If that is the case I just want to alert you that the Santa Barbara and Ventura beaches are a mess right now, due to the heavy storms. Logs and all kind of debris and rubish and they will not be cleaned up until the storms have passed. At least that was the news as of this last Sunday from family members that live down there. No kayaking for them right now!

And don't make the effort to swing off of 101 onto to Hwy 33 to try to see Ojai (which is a darling town) as the mudslides have left Hwy 33 a mess.

There is lots of things to do in Santa Barbara but just wanted to let you know about the beaches so you would not be dissapointed.

4 nights in Cambria might be a little much. It is very relaxing and pretty and I'm sure you could find plenty to do, but it is really comparing apples and oranges (Cambria and SD). Have you been to Hearst's Castle? Do you like to shop for handcrafted items? Do you like wineries? I don't know where you are starting from, but the distance between SB and SD is a bit of a drive. Have you considered Santa Monica?

It would help to know when you are traveling and what your interests are.

However, you can't go wrong by driving north on Highway 1 to Carmel and then retracing the route. It's a great drive both ways and there is much to see along the way. This is very doable in seven nights--including a stop in Cambria.

We are planning on going next weekend. We do like the beach, but like exploring scenic areas. We haven't been to Hearst Castle. I am a little concerned about the beaches after reading the posts. Any more thoughts?

San Diego is too far to drive as you will burn a day easily.

I would consider LA or San Luis Obispo. In LA there are many, many things to do which would take a separate thread or search.

SLO is a univeristy town with a neat town and close to Hearst Castle, Cambria/Morro Bay for day trips, etc.

You could also spend some time in Santa Ynez where there are terrific wineries. Of course it's only 45 minutes from Santa Barbara.

San Diego is a slightly shorter ride from Santa Barbara, but it's all quite a hike. Having been to Cambria and living in San Diego, I'm biased towards San Diego-there's a lot more to do. I would definitely reccomend eating at least one night in the Gaslamp downtown-it's a lot of fun