A visit to coastal California promises exceptional scenery, laid-back charm, and a glass or two of Californian vino – and nowhere quite embodies this more than the sophisticated city of Santa Barbara.
Perfectly positioned between the towering Santa Ynez Mountains and the sparkling Pacific Ocean, Santa Barbara and the surrounding Santa Ynez Valley make for the ideal long-weekend escape. Dive into our Santa Barbara travel guide to discover this region’s fascinating culture, remarkable scenery, and winemaking prestige.
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Why Santa Barbara is the perfect long weekend destination
It may sit a stone’s throw from Los Angeles and San Francisco, yet Santa Barbara feels a world away. The city offers a slower pace without sacrificing sophistication, or things to see, do and taste.
Often dubbed the ‘American Riviera’, Santa Barbara blends natural beauty, rich history and a relaxed coastal vibe. Stroll along palm-lined beaches, explore the Spanish colonial architecture downtown, and sip your way through nearby Santa Ynez wine country.
With excellent farm-to-table dining, boutique shopping and cultural gems, Santa Barbara delivers variety and elegance in a compact setting. This is why a Santa Barbara getaway weekend is the perfect choice for a short romantic break, an uplifting group vacation, or even an upscale corporate retreat. Expect all the rejuvenation and fun of a far-flung trip, without the long-haul flight.
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Discover Santa Ynez Wine Country
Around an hour inland from Santa Barbara sits one of the oldest and most prestigious wine regions in the US: the Santa Ynez Valley.
Considered a hidden gem compared to Napa or Sonoma, this region produces wines of an exceptional standard. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah are the grapes of choice, although many more are grown thanks to the diverse climate and terroir. There are more than 275 wineries to explore in the valley, including Alma Rosa, Sanford, The Hilt Estate, and Tyler Winery’s Mae Estate, with something to suit every taste.
A drive through the area is a feast for the senses; a rustic landscape of rolling vineyards, golden hills, lavender fields and old-world towns. In fact, the Santa Ynez Valley spans six distinct towns, each with its own culture.
The town of Santa Ynez is a cowboy community with a sophisticated Old West feel and is highly Instagrammable. If you’re wondering what to do in Santa Ynez, spend the day browsing the museums and historical saloons, then unwind with a premium pour at an upmarket tasting room.
To the west, the charming Danish-style village of Solvang delights with its unique heritage architecture, cosy Scandinavian hospitality, and irresistible pastries.
Next, head to the picture-perfect town of Los Olivos, referred to as ‘the new Napa’, where you can combine your love of fine wine and art, with an abundance of galleries alongside popular tasting rooms. Take a tour of the surrounding vineyards, orchards and ranches, then spoil yourself with boutique shopping, a glass of wine and well-earned relaxation.
Ballard claims the title of the smallest town in Santa Ynez wine country, with a population of just 467. But don’t be fooled by its size – this quiet spot offers a surprising abundance of historic homes and romantic dining options that rival the region’s best.
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Highlight experiences in Santa Barbara and Santa Ynez Valley
From sublime driving experiences to wine tasting evenings, there’s no shortage of interesting things to do in Santa Barbara during a short break.
Take a walk
The best way to immerse yourself in Santa Barbara is with a self-guided ‘Red Tile’ walking tour of the town. This flat-gradient route takes you past 17 historic landmarks in downtown Santa Barbara, with plenty of bistros, cafés and taquerias along the way for a relaxing pause. Alternatively, venture out on a 3.5-mile hike to Inspiration Point, where sweeping views of the city and coastline await.
Scenic driving
Explore central California in style by sliding behind the wheel of a high-performance supercar and taking a journey though stunning landscapes around the Santa Ynez Valley. For our Santa Ynez driving tour, we handpick routes that showcase both the region’s natural beauty and the power of the vehicles, combining dramatic ocean views on the Pacific Coast Highway with technical canyon drives through lush forests in the Los Padres National Forest. Highlights include a stretch that inspired a scene in Pixar’s Cars, and a pass by the smallest post office in the US, located in Wheeler Springs.
Absorb the culture
Santa Barbara boasts a rich culture, heavily influenced by its Spanish and Mexican colonial past, while the Santa Ynez Valley offers a diverse blend of traditions, including Chumash Indian, Spanish, Mexican and even Danish. Immerse yourself in these cultures by visiting the region’s many art galleries, museums and landmarks, including the Old Mission Santa Barbara (established in 1786), El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park, the Elverhøj Museum of History and Art in Solvang, and the Santa Ynez Chumash Cultural Center.
Curated wine tastings
As one of seven American Viticultural Areas within the greater Santa Barbara region, Santa Ynez Valley is a wine haven. Sampling the region’s critically acclaimed expressions is a must, either during an estate visit or a casual tasting room session. You’ll find many tasting options in Santa Barbara itself, while a short drive to the vineyards in the Santa Ynez Valley will allow you to see winemaking in action and sip while taking in spectacular scenery. Expect to realistically fit in three to four wineries in a day.
Boutique shopping
Indulge in a delightful high-end shopping experience in Santa Barbara. Strolling the wide pedestrian-friendly streets, you’ll find boutique stores and larger brands to browse for hours. You’ll be spoiled for choice with clothing, jewellery, home décor, artisan spirits and curious antiques.
Spend a beach day
Santa Barbara is replete with sandy beaches, often considered among the best in California. East and West Beach – on either side of the Santa Barbara pier – are popular for sunbathing, swimming and surfing, while Butterfly Beach offers a more secluded experience. The beautifully named Santa Claus Beach is just a short distance away in the neighbouring town of Carpinteria, dotted with beautiful beachfront homes to wander along.
Spa visits
Take a dip in an outdoor pool and relax with a restorative treatment as part of a luxury spa visit. The region offers many resort and day spa options, including the downtown Float, with its serene outdoor garden, and Salt, with its own salt cave. Venturing into the valley, we love the Lavender Barn in Los Olivos. Inspired by the fragrant flowers of the region, this intimate spa offers an oak wood sauna, eucalyptus steam room and vitality pool, alongside treatments incorporating local botanicals.
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When to go to Santa Barbara and Santa Ynez Valley
Truth be told, there’s no bad time for a Santa Barbara getaway – year-round, the region is majestic. However, to avoid the peak summer heat, spring and fall/autumn offer all the beauty with fewer extremes.
Visiting Santa Ynez Valley in spring will reward you with rolling green hills dotted with vineyard blossoms, plus comfortably warm weather that’s perfect for touring.
Fallis equally stunning, as harvest season transforms the vineyards into a sea of gold. The air turns crisp and clear, making for delightfully scenic drives and cosy evenings in wine country.
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Our curated 3-night Santa Ynez Valley itinerary
Harnessing nearly two decades of experience curating exceptional luxury travel experiences, we’ve created the quintessential three-night Santa Barbara getaway weekend, combining coast and countryside in one unforgettable journey.
Our luxury Santa Barbara getaway showcases the very best of this captivating region, combining an outstanding destination with a sumptuous hotel, gourmet dining, exclusive experiences, and once-in-a-lifetime driving, all as part of one incredible extended weekend.
We expertly arrange every detail for you – preemptive luxury at its finest. All you need to do is arrive, relax and enjoy.
Inspire yourself with our itinerary.
Day One
Upon your arrival at the airport, enjoy a seamless chauffeur transfer to your historic boutique hotel: The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern in the charming community of Los Olivos.
Unwind in your new surroundings, before joining our small group for a handcrafted cocktail, followed by your first gourmet dining evening in an upscale but relaxed ranch restaurant. Savour the delicious Californian-inspired dishes and feel the anticipation building ahead of our first day in the supercars.
Day Two
After a hearty breakfast, you’ll be briefed and introduced to your fleet of world-class supercars. Taking turns in different cars, you’ll weave through the Santa Ynez Valley, absorbing the ruggedly beautiful scenery of the vast Los Padres National Forest, including the untamed Carrizo Plain.
Stop for a light lunch, then continue traversing the landscape, experiencing beautiful vistas at every turn. After arriving back at your hotel, enjoy well-earned downtime – perhaps a dip in the outdoor pool or a glass of chardonnay at the al fresco bar. Alternatively, choose an optional cultural experience, such as saddling up for a magical horseback ride through acres of ranch land in Los Olivos.
The fun continues in the evening with a refreshing cocktail, before relaxed dining at an elegant restaurant that’s a well-kept secret among locals, featuring the finest locally sourced dishes paired with renowned bottles from this essential wine region.
Day Three
Following breakfast, it’s time to take the wheel of another latest-release supercar and set out on your second day of exploring the valley’s rolling vineyards; this time a shorter route, taking in spectacular Pacific vistas.
After a light lunch, you’ll have the opportunity to relax and sample exclusive tastings at a renowned winery, or enjoy a hands-on cookery class exploring the vibrant ‘Caliterranean’ cooking style.
Spend late afternoon in your hotel, enjoying your plush room or the soothing spa facilities, before a final gourmet dining experience rounds off the weekend in style. Tonight, you’ll dine al fresco, raising a glass or two to your memorable Santa Barbara getaway.
Day Four
Enjoy breakfast and a leisurely morning in your hotel, then a light lunch before a late check-out. Chauffeur transfers are available for your onward travel plans, whether it’s hometime, or you want to explore more of California – remember, Los Angeles and San Francisco are so close.
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Experience Santa Barbara County & Santa Ynez with our luxurious weekend getaway
Whether it’s the promise of a carefree weekend full of special moments, indulgent wining and dining, or a unique supercar experience, we hope our Santa Barbara travel guide has inspired you to visit this central Californian gem.
To learn more about our Santa Ynez Valley tour or any of our extraordinary US vacation packages, speak with our friendly travel concierge team today.
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