Santa Barbara Holidays
Explore the Insta-worthy American Riviera
A holiday in Santa Barbara is a full-bodied immersion into exquisite food and wine, big city culture and cosmopolitan style. With Spanish colonial revival-style architecture set against a backdrop of dramatic mountains, rolling valleys and miles of sandy beaches this place is certainly good for you.
Luxury Holidays in Santa Barbara
The ‘Barb’ provides for the young and old, sport and art lovers alike and can be reached from all over the globe via Los Angeles airport just two hours away. We welcome you to the ‘American Riviera’! On your Santa Barbara holiday you’ll be transformed into the protagonist of your own story where the laid back glamour of exclusive hotel life is yours to enjoy. Dine in style and sample the finest Californian wines whilst dazzling your taste buds with scrumptious local cuisine. From Summerland and Montecito to Presido and Goleta, Santa Barbara is your oyster.
5 Reasons to Visit Santa Barbara
Best of Both Worlds - Breathe in the sophistication of a cosmopolitan city that also has great beaches, beautiful mountains and a laidback atmosphere. Go from the buzz of Downtown, to the tranquillity of the Santa Barbara coastline or the Channel Islands National Park in no time.
Culture Vultures - The city hosts monthly ‘First Thursdays’ where galleries open late and streets become open-air theatres. There are also great museums, including the Museum of Art and the Museum of Natural History. For a flavour of historic architecture, we also recommend a visit to the Old Mission Santa Barbara and the County Courthouse.
Food & Wine - Gourmands, beware: you’ll find it hard to tear yourselves away from this culinary treasure trove. From the Santa Barbara Public Market, brimming with vibrant produce, to the Santa Ynez Wine Country, foodies will be spoiled for choice.
Family-Friendly - A world of new and exciting experiences awaits people of all ages in Santa Barbara. Children will love Santa Barbara Zoo, the MOXI (Museum of Exploration & Innovation), and introductory surfing lessons with the SB Adventure Company amongst a host of other activities to spark young imaginations.
Active Adventures - Santa Barbara provides just as much fun for adventurous types, offering a full range of sports and activities for every preference. Water lovers can go surfing, snorkelling, scuba diving and even paragliding. Or for something more unique, go for a horse-riding tour, or a sea cave kayaking trip.
Things to do in Santa Barbara
Wharf this Way - Much-beloved Stearns Wharf offers a wealth of restaurants and provides an array of attractions such as the sea life centre and the pier. Try your hand at paddle boarding, paddleboard yoga, kayaking, catamaran cruises or whale watching.
Bowled Over - This region is a haven for classical music lovers and contains numerous performing art venues including the Santa Barbara Bowl, a 4,562 seat amphitheatre used for outdoor concerts which nestles at the base of the Riviera in a picturesque canyon northwest of ‘the Barb’.
Wine Down - Head to the epicentre of the Santa Barbara arts community and the Urban Wine Trail – the Funk Zone. There you’ll find fantastic venues like the Waterline, which brings together an unmissable collection of local breweries, wineries, and eateries. Be sure to stop at the Lark, the Lucky Penny, and the Santa Barbara Taproom.
Eating Out - A beach picnic is a wonderful way to take in the Santa Barbara coastline. Head to Leadbetter or Butterfly Beach. Make a pit stop at the famous Anderson's Danish Bakery or Metropulos Fine Foods Merchant to fill up your picnic basket.
Santa Barbara Facts
- State - California
- Land Area - 19.468 sq. miles
- Population - 88,410
Weather in Santa Barbara
The weather in Santa Barbara can be described as similar to the Mediterranean with mild winters, making it a popular year-round holiday destination. Its oceanfront location helps to alleviate the humidity often associated with neighbouring desert areas, meaning the city’s typical 300 days per year of sun can be fully appreciated. With a consistently temperate climate, this Californian coastal town enjoys daily averages of 20 degrees Celsius.
Multi Centre Fly-Drive Tours
Santa Barbara makes a great starting point or stop-along-the-way on a multi-centre holiday in the US. You're perfectly situated to visit other top towns on the West Coast, and even to build the dream Californian road trip. Indeed, Santa Barbara is equidistant to LA and San Francisco, with San Diego further to the south and Las Vegas only a 4 hour drive inland from LA. Other famous cities across the nation like Chicago, Boston, Washington DC and New York also make fantastic locations to add to your multi-centre itinerary.
Santa Barbara Holidays 2024 / 2025
Book early to secure your 2024 / 2025 holiday and avoid disappointment. Simply call our USA specialists for a quote from Kenwood Travel and start planning your holiday. Secure your luxury travel experience and allow Kenwood Travel to offer you a personalised package. We have over 45 years’ worth of experience to share with you. Let us make your Santa Barbara holiday one to remember.
Top Picks
Harbor View Inn
A luxurious four-star property in the heart of chic Santa Barbara, The Harbor View Inn is ideally suited to all holidaying needs.
Kimpton Canary Hotel
Surrounded by the splendour of red-tiled roofs, palm trees and hidden paseos brimming with boutiques and cafes, Kimpton Canary Hotel is perfectly situated for the ultimate escape.
The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara
Situated across two miles of glistening Pacific Coast beach, The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara is the ideal retreat for adventure or relaxation.
Gallery
Useful information
Destination map
Things to do
Visit Old Mission Santa Barbara
Not only one of the city's most beautiful sights, but also a historical treasure, the Old Mission in Santa Barbara is sometimes called 'the Queen of Missions', having seen the flags of Spain, Mexico and the US fly overhead since its establishment in 1786. Today its operations include a museum, several gardens, and even a mausoleum, providing plenty of interest for a visitor in the area.
Hike La Cumbre Peak
Located in Los Padres National Forest, La Umbre is the highest peak on the Santa Ynez ridge, which runs directly behind Santa Barbara. Making up an iconic part of the city's scenery, intrepid hikers and nature-lovers will love ascending it for themselves, enjoying the 10 mile round hike and the fantastic views that can be seen from the peak. Climb up, and take in the spectacular sights of the scenery, the city, and the sea.
Stearns Wharf & Santa Barbara Harbor
One of Santa Barbara's most iconic landmarks, this wharf takes advantage of amazing seaside scenery and the ocean breeze to provide you with a perfect place to walk and explore. As California's oldest working wharf, the surrounding boardwalk provides countless opportunities for shopping and sampling the local cuisine, and the wharf itself is an ideal venue for a stroll in the sun.
