Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Santa Barbara?
Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Santa Barbara?
Many visitors spend two to three days in Santa Barbara during their visit. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because there's so much to see and do. This coastal town offers a number of attractions to explore, including the beaches, the hiking, the beautiful scenery, and the many shops.
Santa Barbara is a university town that's beautifully located on the central California coast. The town is breathtakingly beautiful with pristine beaches and stunning views. There are scenic missions that you can explore as well as fun water sports and world-class shopping.
Do you have one or two days to visit Santa Barbara? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one day enough time in Santa Barbara?
With only one day, you might feel a bit pressed for time to enjoy the beach and the other activities in this coastal town. After all, The popular coastal town of Santa Barbara has many activities and attractions for visitors. To fully embrace Santa Barbara, a longer visit is better. Most travelers tend to allocate two to three days to relax at the beach, take a hike, admire the wonderful scenery, and browse the shops. Nevertheless, if your schedule is limited, we can provide some suggestions to maximize your visit.
How to spend a day in Santa Barbara
The beautiful beaches await you in Santa Barbara, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. The city is famous for its pristine, sandy beaches. Whether you want to enjoy world class surfing or enjoy a gentle ocean setting, Santa Barbara has many options.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Kayak or Stand Up Paddle Board Rental ($15)
- Kayak Tour of Santa Barbara with Experienced Guide ($55)
- Santa Barbara Kayak or Stand Up Paddle Rental ($30)
Santa Barbara is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. The city is beautifully situated right by the ocean and offers stunning views and and an amazing setting. It is also filled with opulent houses and grand estates, giving it an air of grandeur.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Private Santa Barbara History and Architecture Walking Tour ($99)
- Sunset Kayak Tour of Santa Barbara with Knowledgeable Guide ($89)
- Food Tasting Experience and Guided Walking Tour in Santa Barbara ($67)
Santa Barbara is a very walkable city. With only a day in the coastal town, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. The downtown area is very pedestrian-friendly and best explored on foot.
Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Santa Barbara?
As a popular coastal town, Santa Barbara offers a large number of activities and attractions for visitors. A weekend is probably not enough time to enjoy the beach and other activities. You will likely feel rushed to see the beaches, the hiking, the beautiful scenery, and the many shops. To thoroughly enjoy your trip, you'd need more time, as most vacationers schedule two to three days to fully experience the affluent coastal town. Nevertheless, if time is of the essence, we have some nice suggestions for your visit.
The Santa Barbara Courthouse
How to spend 2 days in Santa Barbara
With a weekend (two to three days) in Santa Barbara, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the coastal town has to offer.
Known for it's hiking, Santa Barbara sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. Just outside of town are countless hiking opportunities that offer spectacular ocean views. Popular hikes include Inspiration Point, San Ysidro Trail, and Cold Spring East Fork.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Guided Kayak Wildlife Tour in the Santa Barbara Harbor ($55)
You'll absolutely want to spend some time enjoying the food scene in this coastal town, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine for a meal or two. The city is best known for its fine dining, particularly if you enjoy seafood. The scallops, oysters, clam chowder, and sea urchin (when available) are all world class. Head for a waterfront setting for the best views and some of the freshest seafood.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Santa Ynez Valley Biking and Wine Tasting Tour ($194)
- Small-Group Wine Tour to Private Locations in Santa Barbara ($235)
- Inclusive Full-Day Wine Tasting Tour from Santa Ynez Valley ($199)
Public transit in Santa Barbara is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the coastal town quite easily. Transit options include buses, trolleys and water taxis.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Santa Barbara, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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