How to Plan a Day Trip to Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is a beautiful coastal town in central California, founded by Spanish missionaries in 1769. It has its quiet side and its lively side, and is home to families, college students and retirees. It is a college town, a relaxed California beach community, and the site of the "queen" of the California missions, Mission Santa Barbara.There is plenty to do in this beautiful city, and you'll find yourself returning again and again. Only 90 miles from Los Angeles, it is part of an older and more graceful world, the California Riviera.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Transportation to Santa Barbara
• Decisions about how to spend your day
• Reservations for some activities
• Clothing appropriate for a beach community
• A light jacket in case of fog
• Walking shoes

How to Plan a Day Trip to Santa Barbara

1. 

   Start before you leave by visiting the official Santa Barbara.com website. There is a wealth of information about how to get to Santa Barbara and all the different activities you can enjoy once you get there.

2. 
   SANTA BARBARA AMTRAK

   Decide how you want to travel to Santa Barbara. You can drive easily from Los Angeles, but you can also fly or take Amtrak. Once you arrive, there is abundant public transportation, from metro buses to taxis to rental bicycles. This is also a great little city for walking, with discoveries around every corner.

3. 
   SANTA BARBARA TROLLEY

   Take a trolley tour. This is a great way to acquaint yourself with all parts of the area. These depart regularly throughout the day and they will show you things you may never have suspected.

4. 
   SOJOURNER CAFE

   Have a bite to eat. There are hundreds of places to eat in Santa Barbara, but perhaps the most venerable is The Sojourner Cafe. Home to healthy vegetarian dining, it serves food, smoothies and coffee starting at 11:00 am daily. Along with their delicious menu, Sojourner serves up a healthy portion of Santa Barbara atmosphere.

5. 
   MISSION SANTA BARBARA

   Don't miss visiting the Mission Santa Barbara. The grounds are beautiful, and the history will surround you like a soft blanket. The church is still an active parish, with regular masses on Sundays.

6. 
   SANTA BARBARA BOTANICAL GARDENS

   Visit the Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens. Or, you can go whale watching (in season), you can go hiking or fishing in the hills outside the city. Santa Barbara isn't a place you'll get to know in one visit or ten. Relax and enjoy your time while you're there, and make notes about the things you want to see next time you visit!

Tips & Warnings

• Santa Barbara has some of the most beautiful beaches in California.
• Spend a day in the surrounding areas of Santa Barbara county. There are wineries, campgrounds, missions, and the American Danish community of Solvang all within an easy drive of Santa Barbara.
• Prepare for a beach climate, which can vary from warm and sunny to foggy and cool in the same day.
• Call ahead and check to see if you will need reservations for activities.

Resources

• John Dickson's Santa Barbara Community Guide
• Santa Barbara Trolley Tours
• Sojourner Cafe
• Mission Santa Barbara
• Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens