If you’ve got to head anywhere for work, Santa Barbara proves a pretty great option. With the Pacific Ocean for a playground and the Santa Ynez Mountains for a backdrop, it’s no wonder the city saw 6.5 million visitors in 2023. Among those visitors, business ranked in the top four reasons to visit Santa Barbara, and it offers plenty of ways to relax once the workday is done. Laid-back surf culture and low-key California charm are the norm, making the hours you have to work more than bearable … and the hours you don’t have to work a dream come true.

© David M. Schrader | Dreamstime.com

Easily walkable downtown Santa Barbara is packed with unique art galleries and boutiques showcasing the creative force that drives the city. Strolling along the main drag, State Street, you’ll come across plenty of spots for a bite to eat and a refreshing cocktail. Don’t miss the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, home to 25,000 works of art spanning 5,000 years of history; it stays open late the first Thursday of every month.

Entrance to La Arcada Plaza © Darryl Brooks | Dreamstime.com

You’ll also find plenty of spots to sample the region’s famous wines along the city’s Urban Wine Trail. Of course, if you’ve got plenty of time, you can head north of town to the sprawling vineyards of the Santa Ynez Valley, but the Urban Wine Trail includes more than 20 tasting rooms scattered throughout the Presidio neighborhood of the downtown area and nearby Funk Zone, a hub of art galleries, studios and street art worth exploring not just for the wine but for the artsy vibe and unique finds.

Explore the trail at your own pace, spending as much or as little time as you want at as many wineries as you feel like visiting. The region, producing wine since 1782, is known for its Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah. But the cooling ocean breeze and hilly terrain of the Santa Ynez Valley make for fertile growing conditions, and today the region grows more than 65 varietals, so you can discover plenty of incredible wines.

As the sun drops into the Pacific — a daily event ideally viewed from the waterfront at Stearns Wharf or from one of the city’s many rooftop bars — Santa Barbara’s vibrant nightlife keeps things exciting. From the 4,500-seat outdoor Santa Barbara Bowl featuring big name performers to smaller, intimate settings such as art galleries and bars throughout the Funk Zone, live music all across town will introduce you to the many unique voices that make the city’s vibe addicting.

LODGING
Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort
The beach lies mere steps away from the 335 rooms and 25 suites at Hilton Santa Barbara. Each room features a private patio or balcony, and you don’t even have to leave the property for wine tastings.
633 E. Cabrillo Blvd., Santa Barbara
$$$$

Hotel Californian
This 121-room property features Spanish Colonial Revival design on the outside and an artsy interior reminiscent of a Moroccan medina. It’s ideally located in the Funk Zone, so you can walk around the city and stay within reach of the beach.
36 State St., Santa Barbara
$$$$$

San Ysidro Ranch
This property has an impressive history with famous guests including Winston Churchill and John and Jackie Kennedy. The 38 unique cottages covered in flowering vines offer privacy and seclusion with a fairy-tale stay that includes complimentary dining.

900 San Ysidro Lane, Montecito
$$$$$

DINING
Barbareño
This local favorite serves California cuisine made with locally sourced foods. Choose from an eight-course tasting menu or shareable small plates and entrées designed for two to three guests.
205 W. Canon Perdido St., Santa Barbara
$$$$$

Loquita

As one of Santa Barbara’s most popular eateries, Loquita boasts a coveted Michelin Bib Gourmand rating. The menu celebrates Spanish cuisine with a menu featuring fish and seafood, plus vegetarian tapas, paella and entrées.
202 State St., Santa Barbara
$$$$

Silvers Omakase
Silvers Omakase delivers on the fresh seafood you expect from an upscale beach town. The restaurant’s Michelin star is well-earned by Chef Lennon Silvers Lee and the sushi tasting menus he creates.
224 Helena Ave., Santa Barbara
$$$$$

INFO TO GO
Santa Barbara lies less than two hours by car from Los Angeles, but it is also easily reachable thanks to the small, regional airport just 10 miles northwest of downtown. Santa Barbara Municipal Airport, designed with a nod to the Spanish Colonial Revival architectural style popular throughout the region, offers non-stop flight service to 12 cities around the country, from Los Angeles (LAX) all the way to Atlanta (ATL), with several additional options within California such as San Francisco (SFO), Oakland (OAK) and Sacramento (SMF). Several major airlines provide service to SBA: Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines. Once there, trans- portation options range from car rentals to private limo service and ride-share services such as Uber and Lyft.