The Perfect Day Trip - Santa Barbara

There’s always something poppin’ in LA, but sometimes it’s nice to get away for a few. If you’re feeling the same vibe—a quick day trip getaway to relax—Santa Barbara is it. A very low-maintenance trip that doesn’t require lots of planning.  

You can drive or take the train/Amtrak for about $20 one-way. Chris and I left at around 8am on Sunday and hit zero traffic. The drive was a little more than an hour and a half. The Amtrak takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes.

DAY TIME R&R: ONE THOUSAND STEP BEACH

2 Santa Cruz Blvd
Santa Barbara, CA 93109

Google maps will take you straight to the entrance. First of all, don’t get intimidated—there aren’t really 1,000 steps. Probably a little less than 100. Secondly, the steps leading to the beach are uneven so please be careful. And lastly, the view on the steps is HEART EYES EMOJIS for days. I’m so glad we got to the beach early because it was completely EMPTY. I would highly recommend doing the same. It was SO quiet and relaxing. All you hear are waves. 

BREAKFAST: FINCH & FORK
31 W Carrillo St
Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Cute restaurant with a rustic feel that offers your typical breakfast options like omelettes, potato hash, blah blah blah and MIMOSAS AND A BLOODY MARY BAR! Mimosas are $10 for the first one and $1 for each additional one after. Pretty sweet deal. And who doesn’t love a DIY Bloody Mary station?

LUNCH: SANTA BARBARA SHELLFISH COMPANY 
230 Stearns Wharf
Santa Barbara, CA 93101

I highly recommend getting there before it opens (before 11:30am) so you get outdoor seating with no wait. We got there a little after 11:45am so we had to wait a lot longer for an outdoor table. In my opinion, it was worth it. Loved the open air and the ocean views. Chris and I both ordered the lobster rolls, which came with a side of onion rings and coleslaw. The lobster was so fresh. Onion rings were so damn crispy and good that we added on a separate order.  

The highlight of our meal (and trip)? The FRESH SCALLOPS TOPPED WITH FRESH SEA URCHIN. It is served with the uni exterior and the littles spikes were still moving when it got to our table. Absolutely amazing and would drive back to Santa Barbara anytime to eat this deliciousness. 

SNACK: SANTA BARBARA FISH MARKET
117 Harbor Way Unit A
Santa Barbara, CA 93109

Going to Santa Barbara without trying their uni (sea urchin) is like going to Italy and not having pasta. Located on the pier with limited parking. Recommend going early before they run out of supply. They offer trays with a small shucking fee.

DINNER: BOATHOUSE AT HENDRY’S BEACH
2981 Cliff Dr
Santa Barbara, CA 93109

There are few things more enjoyable than enjoying a great meal by the water. The Boathouse has spectacular sunset views and the service is phenomenal. Very attentive, kind, patient, and prompt. I had the blackened sea bass and tried some of my friend's seafood pasta and filet/prawns. All very good.

OUT & ABOUT: THE FUNK ZONE

A great neighborhood conveniently located next to the Amtrak with a variety of things to do including cafes, galleries, and boutiques. My fave (and most importantly) is the "urban wine trail” - which is basically the equivalent of a beer crawl but instead of pubs- wine tasting rooms. So awesome.

LATE NIGHT FOOD: MAC N CHEESE AFTER DARK

423 State St
Santa Barbara, CA 93101

San Diego has street tacos, LA has dirty dogs, NYC has pizza. SANTA BARBARA has... MAC & CHEESE! 3 cheese blend with bread crumbs on top. Choice of toppings: tomato, basil, bacon, jalapeños. Tip: GET ALL THE TOPPINGS!

HOTEL: THE WAYFARER
12 E Montecito St
Santa Barbara, CA 93101

If you’re interested in staying in Santa Barbara for more than just a day, I loved this “hostel” style hotel. When I think hostel I think dingy and not very sanitary. Don't be fooled... The Wayfarer is not your typical "hostel". It is located in the "funk zone" of Santa Barbara. Walking distance from the pier, wine bars, lounges, and restaurants. Colorful and quirky... the lobby has a rainbow library, life-size Jenga and connect four, and a bright robot art piece that covers an entire wall. Everything is very modern, unique, and vibrant. It's truly one-of-a-kind. For lone travelers, it's a good option if you don't mind sharing with strangers. They have lockers for valuables... and they have private rooms available too. We really enjoyed the outdoor pool is great. They have red couch floaties and loungers that add a nice modern touch.