Things to do in Santa Barbara Area
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Wheel Fun
Rents bicycles (from $8 per hour) for the paved recreational trail that skirts miles of beautiful city beaches.
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El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park
Built to protect the missions between Monterey and San Diego, this 18th-century former Spanish fort of the El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park was protected by adobe walls nearly 4ft thick and more than 9ft high. But its purpose wasn't solely to protect - the presidio, which recently celebrated the 225th anniversary of its founding, also served as a social and political hub, and as a stopping point for traveling Spanish military.
Today, the small urban park, between Anacapa and Santa Barbara Sts, harbors some of the city's oldest structures, which seem to be in constant need of propping up and restoring. Be sure to stop by the chapel: its interior is radiant…
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Cloud Climbers Jeep Tours
Cloud Climbers Jeep Tours runs guided jeep tours of the mountains and forest above the town, including hiking/driving tours, horseback riding/driving tours, family outings, wine-country jaunts, and sunset-chasing journeys for adults. Tours of three to 6½ hours cost around US$89 to around US$150 per person. The charge per child for the Family Discovery Mountain Tour is $69.
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Roy
Roy serves later than anyplace else in town, and 30 bucks or less buys you a damn good three-course meal with soup, salad and choice of main, from handmade pasta with prawns to grilled lamb chops. It's dark, hip, happening and popular with scenesters on weeknights; on weekends it gets packed with 20- and 30-something bacchanalian revelers. Call ahead or wait. Major bar scene.
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Edomasa
Edomasa manages a neighborhood feel and solid Japanese food with way less price-gouging than some other sushi places we could name. The staff is attentive, rolls are generously sized if not terribly creative, and the non-sushi dishes - like the ramen - are fabulous. And did you notice how late they stay open? Popular with the young folk.
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Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition
For info on biking in Santa Barbara, contact the Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition , which also has online printable self-biking tours. The Cabrillo Blvd beachfront bike path runs for 3 miles along the water, between the Andrée Clark Bird Refuge and Leadbetter Beach. The Goleta Bikeway continues west to UCSB.
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Metropulos
Before a hike in the front country, order up some picnic-perfect gourmet salads and sandwiches at this new-ish, super-nice deli east of the tracks in the Funk Zone. Try the smoked turkey and brie with cranberry-fig confit on honey whole wheat. Mmmm. They've got wine and cheese too.
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La Purísima Mission State Historic Park
Follow Hwy 246 about 15 miles west of Hwy 101 to La Purísima Mission State Historic Park. Completely restored, it's one of California's most evocative Spanish-colonial missions, with flowering gardens, livestock pens and adobe buildings.
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Intermezzo
Foodies take note: the swank and stylin' little sister of the Wine Cask serves a less formal menu - cheese plates, lamb kibbes, club sandwiches - that's every bit as gratifying. Same chef, same kitchen, way lower prices. Great for cocktails too.
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Square One
Postmodern Californian cuisine reaches stratospheric heights of inventiveness, piquing even jaded palates with the likes of grapefruit gelée and avocado mousse laid atop seafood. Sculpted desserts are challenging. Svelte wine bar.
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Press Room
Tiny but raucous Press Room can barely contain the locals, Brooks photography students and European travelers that cram the place to its seams. But there's no better place to catch the game or quaff some views with your tastebuds.
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Surf Happens
Surf Happens offers lessons which also incorporate the zen of surfing; if you decide that this is the place to begin your spiritual journey, it costs around US$60 per hour (two-hour minimum).
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Brophy Brothers
The raw-bar seafood at this raucous harbor hangout is so fresh that you half expect it to leap straight up out of the Pacific. Social upstairs deck for sunset drinks.
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James Joyce
Santa Barbara's fun zone revolves around Lower State St where crowds usually pack the Guinness-soaked and peanut-shell-covered planks of the James Joyce pub.
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Quantum Kitchen
One of the few joints in town to satisfy late-night munchies, this contempo eatery is famous for its build-your-own-burgers and delectable skinny fries.
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Epiphany
Ideal for a glass of bubbly if you're wearing heels and a dress (or if you want to impress someone who is); it's also a chic little restaurant.
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Paddle Sports
Friendly kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) outfitter.
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Santa Barbara Brewing Co
They've got microbrews on tap, including a killer Rincon Red ale made with Oregon hops. Pool tables are in the tatty lounge out back.
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C'est Cheese
To fill picnic baskets for the beach, stop at C'est Cheese and Our Daily Bread.
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Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
Uphill from the mission, this garden is devoted to California's native flora. Rolling trails meander through cacti and wildflowers past the historic mission dam and aqueduct. Nearby is a natural-history museum for kiddos.
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Santa Barbara Electric Bike Tour
2 hours 30 minutes (Departs Santa Barbara, California)
by Viator
Enjoy the beautiful sights of Santa Barbara while riding an easy-to-use electric bike. Follow your guide to the Santa Barbara Mission, State Street and other…Not LP reviewed
from USD$94.99 -
Surfing Lesson in Santa Barbara
90 minutes (Departs Santa Barbara, California)
by Viator
Learn to surf in beautiful Santa Barbara! Your expert instructor will teach you how to stand up on your board and ride the perfect wave, offering tips on…Not LP reviewed
from USD$84.99 -
Stand-Up Paddleboard Lesson in Santa Barbara
90 minutes (Departs Santa Barbara, California)
by Viator
Learn to stand-up paddleboard in beautiful Santa Barbara, with all equipment included! Your expert guide will teach you how to paddle, offer balance tips and…Not LP reviewed
from USD$84.99 -
Beginner or Intermediate Mountain Bike Tour of Santa Barbara
90 minutes (Departs Santa Barbara, California)
by Viator
Explore Santa Barbara’s gorgeous terrain on a small-group beginner or intermediate mountain bike tour. Enjoy a fun, scenic ride along coastal bluffs and through…Not LP reviewed
from USD$94.99 -
Urban Wine Trail
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