Hi all . . . hubby and I are thinking about heading down to Santa Barbara for 2-3 days later this month . . . any good suggestions on a pleasant, relaxing and manageable itinerary . . .

We like sunshine, wine, walking and sights . . . thanks for any suggestions!

Driving your own car, taking the train, or flying into Goleta?
There is bus service that covers the city and out to UCSB.
DW and I enjoyed the mission and the zoo.
There are a few good restaurants out on the pier.
The Amtrak station is at the foot of State Street not far from the pier.

We took Amtrak, the station is close to sightseeing.We took a city bus to the mission, shopped on State Street and ate on the pier.

There are a lot of nice wineries in the nearby Santa Ynez valley, my favorite is Rancho Sisquoc, a bit out of the way, but on a working ranch and a nice tranquil drive out there.

Thanks for suggestions. We will have a car . . . and love scenic drives . . . coastlines, especially. I have heard Santa Ynez area is great . . . especially interested in that food and wine scene . . . are there wine tours of the Valley too if we don't want to drive . . . thanks all!

Yes there are tours, don't know of any in particular, we always drove and usually visited only 3, 4 max wineries in one day. We would also skip most of the whites (prefer reds)and share a glass, taking just a sip or two and pour out the rest, that way we did not get tipsy or too impaired to drive.

Favorite wineries: Rancho Sisquoc, Presqu'ile, Camria/Byron, Riverbench, Foxen... all within an easy, beautiful drive.

Drive up on the 101 and drive back on the 154... beautiful scenery either way!

Lots to do in Santa Barbara... visit the Santa Barbara Mission, eat and have a stiff cocktail at Harry's, a wonderful breakfast at Renauds Patisserie ( Have a chocolate croissant) or dinner with a view at Bacara.

Have you chosen a hotel already?

Jamie99, ranchosisquoc.com has a Christmas gift pack at 20% off right now!

Ooh, looks nice lynni, sadly cannot afford it right now, just had to shell out a lot of money for a crown.

Highlights of our trip 3 years ago to Santa Barbara: the Santa Barbara mission, Brophy Brothers restaurant and walking the beach; Los Agaves on Milpas (so good but get there early because it is very popular); botanical garden; day trip to Carpenteria beach and cute downtown; driving around the area.