5 DAYS IN SANTA BARBARA | NOVEMBER 2020

OPTIMAL TIMES OF YEAR FOR THIS ITINERARY: Any time! Santa Barbara is coastal and temperate year round.

This was a couples trip my husband and I took for some rest & relaxation during COVID into some new scenery — the priorities were daily morning exercise, long walks / hikes, and good food. All of the recommendations listed in the text below (and extra bonus ones) are pinned in my interactive google map.
Dark red = food, Green = outdoor activity (hike, beach, tennis), Yellow = where to stay

What to Eat

So many highlights (see red pins on maps for desscriptions of each. Some of the not-to-miss-out eats are:

Santa Barbara Public Market: Locally sourced food & drink is the focus at this upmarket indoor food hall with a dynamic vibe. I liked Rori’s Artisinal Creamery (within the public market) for a nice cold treat!

Satellite SB: Healthy & hip menu. The “yoga pants salad” is especially delicious (www.satellitesb.com)

D’Angelo Bread & Bakery: Slightly pricey but delicious sit down breakfast or pastries and bread (https://www.dangelobakery.com/). While you’re waiting for your order can also pop next door for good coffee at Santa Barbara Roasting Company (www.sbcoffee.com).

Lily’s Taqueria: Amazing hole in the wall taco place not to miss..also right next door to D’Angelo and Santa Barbara Roasting Company (lillystacos.com)

Barbareño Restaurant: Dinner date night! Make a reservation (www.barbareno.com). Also optional, but we really enjoyed doing a wine tasting & beer tasting at one of the local wineries in downtown beforehand.

What to Do

Too many good day hikes to choose from! Several are pinned on the map. My favorite was the Gaviota Hot Springs hike. If you’re up for an arduous but rewarding hike, take the Gaviota Hot Springs-Trespass Trail ($2 parking fee), which climbs over 1,000 feet through wildflowers and blooming agave plants for a dazzling view. If you go counter-clockwise, you’ll be rewarded by the tucked away “hot springs” — lukewarm, crystal clear, sulphuric-smelling and shaded by a single palm, at the very tail end of the hike (pack a towel!). https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/gaviota-hot-springs-and-trespass-trail

Enjoy long beach walks: The beach is full of walkers, frisbee throwers, and dogs going for a dip! You can snag a bike from the bikeshare and cruise along the boardwalk, or just walk on the miles of sand.

Play tennis! Location: City of Santa Barbara Parks & Rec, 1414 Park Pl, Santa Barbara, CA 93103. These courts were the nicest scenery tennis courts we’d ever played on. Twelve courts are available for drop-in play exclusive of scheduled events. We have three lighted courts open from 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. seven days a week! Main site for all lessons, USTA youth and adult tournaments and leagues; group rentals available.

Where to Stay

Airbnb: We loved our gorgeous 2BR airbnb at 501 Binkerhoff Ave. Anything in downtown that’s walking distance to most things would be perfect.