The city’s mix of coastal beauty, relaxed elegance and outdoor adventure gives Santa Barbara secret spot vibes as a coastal winter escape. It’s an outdoors lover’s dream, from hiking or biking in the morning to wine tasting on a patio in the afternoon, followed by sailing at sunset. It’s undeniably special when days feel unhurried, trails are peaceful, and the ocean takes on a deep sapphire hue with whales occasionally breaching the water’s surface. There's a seemingly endless list of things to do in Santa Barbara.
Nicknamed “American Riviera” more than a century ago, early visitors compared it to the glamour of European coastal towns along the Mediterranean. It’s easy to see why when you take in the view of its dramatic coastline of pristine mountains and the easy rhythm of the waves rolling in on its beaches. For my solo trip, I stayed at the Mar Monte Hotel. Take advantage of your AAA discount for coastal elegance in a prime location where the mountains meet the ocean. Here are nine coastal adventures in the American Riviera.
1. Trails Worth Wandering
With canyon trails, coastal walks and mountain viewpoints, Santa Barbara is a spectacular hiking destination. The Santa Ynez Mountains rise dramatically behind Santa Barbara, making for easy access to shaded trails. A local friend turned me onto a great loop hike from Cold Spring Trailhead in the Montecito neighborhood, known for its celebrity residents. We hiked East Fork, which has good elevation gain right off the bat. The trail follows and even crosses the creek, where you should stop for a moment to enjoy a small waterfall. In warmer months, the numerous small pools are popular swimming spots. We connected with Ridge Trail to enjoy amazing views of the Santa Barbara coastline before hiking back into the trees and returning to the trailhead for a nearly 3-mile loop.
For a slightly more challenging 3.4-mile out-and-back trail, hike to Inspiration Point in the foothills of Los Padres National Forest. The effort is worth it for the panoramic view. Afterwards, head to the nearby Santa Barbara Botanic Garden in Mission Canyon. The 78-acre botanical garden has more than 1,000 species of native plants, trees and flowers, as well as nearly 6 miles of meandering trails. Despite the name, Rattlesnake Canyon Trail is a locals’ favorite because of its lush greenery, moderate trails and year-round creek. It’s also popular with horseback riders.
For a mellow morning walk (or bike ride), Butterfly Beach is about 1.5 miles from the Mar Monte Hotel. Because of its unique east-west orientation, Butterfly Beach has stellar sunrises and sunsets.
2. Cruising the Cabrillo Bike Path
If you want to roll on two wheels, Santa Barbara’s Cabrillo Bike Path is a gem with the Pacific on one side and a parade of palms on the other. I hopped on one of Mar Monte Hotel’s complimentary vintage cruisers and biked past Stearns Wharf and made my way over to Santa Barbara Waterfront to check out the historic working harbor. Stop in the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum for an interactive way to learn about maritime culture. I popped into Dart Coffee Co., a local favorite. I grabbed a latte and an empanada and sat outside soaking in the view of the marina before cruising back to Mar Monte. Cabrillo Bike Path is approximately 4.5 miles long, paved and mostly flat, connecting Leadbetter Beach to Butterfly Beach.
For longer rides or specialty bikes, Wheel Fun Rentals has everything from e-bikes to tandems. Avid cyclists will love the climb up Old San Marcos Pass and Painted Cave Road. For a challenging ride with a 3,000-foot elevation gain, cycle up Mission Canyon Road and Gibraltar Road to summit La Cumbre Peak.
3. Whale Watching in the Santa Barbara Channel
The waters off Santa Barbara aren’t just scenic, they’re globally significant. Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage Area has extraordinary biodiversity and importance as a migratory corridor for multiple whale species. It’s one of only two whale heritage areas in the United States. Blue whales, humpbacks and gray whales all pass through these nutrient-rich waters, drawn by the deep channel and thriving food supply, making whale watching one of best things to do in Santa Barbara.
Santa Barbara Channel is also one of the most dolphin-dense waterways in the world. On a ferry ride to Channel Islands National Park, hundreds of dolphins led our way in one of the most remarkable wildlife moments I’ve ever witnessed in California.
On the return ferry, the channel delivered a spectacular farewell. The captain stopped as three humpback whales crossed our path just as the sky flushed pink and gold at sunset. Three more appeared a few minutes later, including one that breached twice. For a few unforgettable minutes, the American Riviera felt truly wild in one of those travel moments you can’t plan but will never forget.
4. Sipping Along the Urban Wine Trail
One of the biggest surprises of the American Riviera is how easily you can walk from one wine tasting to the next. It’s a wine tasting kissed by a sea breeze. Stretching across the Funk Zone and Presidio neighborhoods in downtown Santa Barbara, the Urban Wine Trail connects more than 20 tasting rooms.
My favorite is Margerum Wine Company, where I tasted wines with owner Doug Margerum. Over sips of Blanc de Blanc, rosé, and several of his Rhône-style blends, Doug shared how Santa Barbara’s transverse mountain range funnels cool air in from the Pacific, giving the wines their vibrant acidity and coastal character. His philosophy is simple, as Doug told me, “Make wines meant to be enjoyed with food, and keep them rooted in place.”
With most of his production enjoyed right in the region, a tasting at Margerum is slipping into Santa Barbara’s delightful wine world that’s unpretentious, quietly excellent and just a short stroll from the sea.
5. Savor the Flavors: Dining that Delights
Santa Barbara’s dining scene strikes a delightful balance between California freshness and Mediterranean inspiration. Creative chefs source ingredients from local farms and coastal waters to create dishes that are colorful, flavorful and perfectly suited for patio dining on a beautiful day.
After a day at Channel Islands National Park, I wanted a cozy spot for a casual dinner. I found that at Costa Kitchen & Bar, the Mar Monte Hotel’s signature restaurant. I opted for the bar to enjoy live music while dining. The food was way beyond typical bar eats. The butternut squash and grilled pear panzanella was a blend of vibrant flavors, and the pan-seared Scottish salmon with wild rice and delicata squash was the perfect protein-packed dinner after a full day of adventuring.
Whether you’re craving a sweet treat or a savory, hearty breakfast, Jeannine’s at the Shore is a local’s favorite known for its one-of-a-kind pastries and “comfort clubhouse” vibes. While the lemon poppyseed pancake breakfast is one of their top sellers, I went for their delicious huevos rancheros to fuel me for a morning of hiking and biking.
Nestled along the waterfront, Convivo serves up a feast for both palate and eyes, pairing beautifully with the delightful patio. Their grilled avocado salad is one of the most unique salads I’ve had in a long time. The crudo is like a piece of edible art. It was a perfect transition from a morning of hiking and biking to an afternoon of wine tasting.
6. Sailing into Sunset
For a classic Santa Barbara experience, book a sunset cruise aboard the Double Dolphin with Santa Barbara Sailing Center. Coastal birds swooping in for a tasty catch and sea lions posing proudly on buoys as you glide past are common sights.
We didn’t see any dolphins or whales on our two-hour cruise, but they do frequently make appearances. The Santa Ynez Mountains and Channel Islands take on a rose-gold glow as the coastline softens into the silhouette of the golden hour. It’s a spectacular way to glide into the evening.
7. State Street Stroll: Where Art and Eats Meet
After my sunset sail, I walked to State Street, a lively promenade of shops, galleries, cafes and restaurants. I happened to be there for First Thursday, when the art galleries and shops are open late, and musicians play on street corners. The whole area hums with a relaxed, welcoming energy as people drift from tasting rooms to boutiques, and outdoor seating fills with hungry patrons.
Dinner at Satellite is a party for your taste buds as you dive into their plant-based and farmers-market-forward dishes. The confit tomatoes on toasted Oak Bakery sourdough are to die for. State Street is part of the Funk Zone, a contemporary art, culture and business district filled with colorful graffiti murals decorating converted warehouses and buildings. It’s the largest stretch of the Urban Wine Trail.
8. Kayaking Sea Caves in Channel Islands National Park
For a day trip filled with pure, heart-thumping excitement, book a tour with Santa Barbara Adventure Company to kayak sea caves in Channel Islands National Park. Part of the experience is the ferry ride to and from the mainland. On the way to Santa Cruz Island, we witnessed hundreds of dolphins jumping out of the water, and on the way back, we saw six humpback whales for a stellar sunset experience.
Santa Cruz Island has the highest density of sea caves in the world. From Scorpion Anchorage with our guide Brian, we set out on a 3-hour kayak adventure. We paddled into cavernous chambers with names like Toilet Bowl, Shark’s Tooth and Dogleg. Each cave seems to have a mild or more challenging sea route, depending on the level of adrenaline you want to pick. Maneuvering narrow passageways is both nerve-wracking and exhilarating. As a novice sea kayaker, I wasn’t sure I wanted to attempt the “doggy door” exit of Dogleg Cave, but with Brian following close behind me, I paddled my path and was thrilled I did it. As we kayaked along the shoreline, we glided above a sea kelp forest while watching birds soar above us, including a bald eagle. As we paddled around Scorpion Rock, we got a front row seat and were covered in the misty sea spray of a powerful blowhole fueled by the waves crashing on the stunning sea stack.
After our kayak adventure, we had about an hour to explore Santa Cruz Island. I hiked up to Scorpion Bluffs Overlook and marveled at the coastal landscape and seascape we had just paddled through before catching the ferry back to the mainland.
9. Family Fun on the Coast
Even with its sophisticated flair, Santa Barbara is a gem for families, and not just because the weather cooperates year-round. My last morning, I had to check out the Santa Barbara Zoo, just a quick walk from the Mar Monte Hotel. Watching giraffes with the ocean shimmering in the distance, it’s easy to see why it’s called a “zoo with a view.”
The contemporary museum MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation blends science and creativity with interactive exhibits, like Crawlers’ Corner and Speed Track, that will keep kids entertained for hours. Don’t miss the Sky Garden, an exhibit-filled rooftop where you can walk across the glass Sky Deck or simply soak in the view of the coastline. Located on Stearns Wharf, the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center is an interactive aquarium where you explore the underwater world of the Santa Barbara Channel. Stearns Wharf is an adventure itself. Built in 1872, it’s the oldest working wood wharf in California, where you can shop and dine with a view.
When it came time to leave, I was wishing my 3-night stay in the “American Riviera” could last a little longer, so I could explore more areas, like the Douglas Family Preserve on the mesa above Arroyo Burro Beach and more hiking trails in the Santa Ynez Mountains. Santa Barbara’s mix of coastal beauty, relaxed elegance, and real outdoor adventure truly shines in the cooler months. It’s a California secret worth sharing… and experiencing for yourself.