Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Santa Barbara?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 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 3, 4, or 5 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 3 days enough time in Santa Barbara?
Many visitors spend three days in Santa Barbara, as this is a good amount of time to see the affluent coastal town's major attractions such as the beaches, the hiking, and the beautiful scenery. If you have three days here, we have a few suggestions of things to do below.
How to spend 3 days 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.
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.
Shopping in Santa Barbara is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. The city is famous as a high end shopping destination. Head to State Street for a palm tree lined street with local boutiques.
This coastal town is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. For the best nightlife in the city, head downtown to State Street. This is where you'll find the most active bars and biggest crowds. There's a large student population in town, so you'll find much of the nightlife scene is focused on the younger population.
Is 4 days enough time in Santa Barbara?
Four days is more than enough time to see the activities and enjoy the beach in Santa Barbara. Many visitors prefer to spend two to three days here, so more time would allow you to experience the beaches, the hiking, the beautiful scenery, and the many shops at your own pace. We have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting, and then take a day trip if you're looking to explore further around the area.
The Santa Barbara Courthouse
How to spend 4 days in Santa Barbara
With 4 days in Santa Barbara, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the coastal town has to offer.
Don't miss the Old Mission Santa Barbara during your trip to Santa Barbara, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Santa Barbara.
Is 5 days enough time in Santa Barbara?
Five days is more than enough time to enjoy the beach and other activities in Santa Barbara. You can move at your own pace and relax at your hotel and on the beach. You could also use Santa Barbara as a base for exploring the nearby destinations. You'll find some great day trips in the region worth doing.
How to spend 5 days in Santa Barbara
If you have more than 5 days in Santa Barbara, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the coastal town has to offer.
Plenty of amazing museums and famous landmarks make Santa Barbara a special place to visit. Spend at least one full day visiting the sights that are appealing to you. The city is famous for its missions, with Mission Santa Barbara being the most iconic. Also visit the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and Sea Center.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Santa Barbara.
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.
Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.