Santa Barbara Holidays

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 2026 / 2027

Book early to secure your 2026 / 2027 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.