How to Spend the Weekend in Santa Barbara

Stroll around the Santa Barbara Harbor to Point Castillo and take in the view looking at Santa Barbara from across the harbor. While on the harbor, rent a paddle board, a boat, or stop by Santa Barbara staple, Brophy Bros., for a cup of clam chowder.

If you’re feeling active, rent bikes (or if you’re staying at a hotel like Hotel Milo, you’ll have complimentary access to house bikes) to ride along the ocean via the Santa Barbara coastal trail.

Prefer a hike instead? Drive to nearby Montecito to hike to the Montecito Hot Springs. To reach the actual soaking pools, you’ll have to hike into the canyon a bit (I would categorize the level of difficulty as moderate). Even if you don’t feel like taking a dip in the hot springs, the hike alone is a pretty one. The Hot Springs Canyon trailhead is located at 1217 E Mountain Drive in Montecito.

If you’re looking to take batting practice (because who isn’t?), head over to East Beach Batting Cages. This is, of course, a baseball and softball hitting facility, but that’s not all you come for. Come for BP but don’t leave without stopping by the East Beach Tacos walk-up window - my favorite taco here is the Ahi Poke. You’d really never expect to have tacos this good at a batting cage across from an on-ramp to the 101 freeway, but here we are!

Take a walk down State Street to find restaurants, bars, coffee shops, your favorite brand-name stores, locally owned shops, and more. Have a seafood feast for lunch at Broad Street Oyster before heading to Santa Barbara’s own McConnell’s Fine Ice Cream. My favorite shop to swing by on State Street is Italian Pottery Outlet. Here you will find handmade and hand-decorated Italian ceramics that will transport you straight to the Amalfi Coast.

The Funk Zone is a neighborhood just off State Street full of wine tasting rooms, breweries, restaurants, boutiques, galleries and more. No trip to Santa Barbara is complete without roaming around the Funk Zone and popping into various tasting rooms. Start at Helena Avenue Bakery, which shares a space with the Santa Barbara Wine Collective, and wander from there once you've had a glass of wine and a pastry. If you prefer beer to wine, start next door at Figueroa Mountain Brewing Company.

Broad Street Oyster: At this point, I’m happy to say that I think I’ve eaten everything on the menu at Broad Street Oyster ten times over. While the laid-back atmosphere alone will put you in a good mood (the signage gives me major Saved By The Bell vibes and there’s nothing wrong with that), the food is the actual standout. I’ve eaten a lot of lobster rolls in my life thus far and this one ranks up there with the best of them (I’m a warm with butter kind of gal). Go with a group so you can order a bunch of things to try… You won’t be disappointed.

Santa Barbara Shellfish Company: When I first learned about Santa Barbara Shellfish, I was hesitant to try it because of its prime location on Stearns Wharf. I figured it would be just another average, overpriced seafood spot where you’re paying for the view. It’s not. My go-to order is the calamari sandwich or the lobster roll with a side of clam chowder. Sit outside if you can.

La Super Rica: Legend has it that Julia Child called La Super Rica her favorite place to eat tacos, so you obviously have to try it. It’s an unassuming taco joint with a line consistently wrapped around the block. It’s basic (in the best way), great quality and inexpensive, so wait it out in line… You’ll be glad that you did.

Bettina: Located just minutes from Santa Barbara in the Montecito Country Mart, Bettina serves perfectly charred wood-fired pizzas. Before your table is ready at Bettina (reservations are encouraged), stop by The Honor Bar, which is located just down the street on Coast Village Road. Have a cocktail and some excellent people watching on the patio.

Little Dom’s Seafood: Located 15 minutes south of Santa Barbara in Carpinteria but worthy of a spot on my list of Santa Barbara faves. Little Dom's Seafood is the sister restaurant to LA-favorite, Little Dom’s (Italian) in Los Feliz. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, but let me advise you to please order the cold smoked salmon, which comes with whipped burrata, fried capers and seeded flatbread. I think about this dish often.