Santa Barbara: Coast, Islands and Wine Country

Santa Barbara combines striking coastal landscapes, protected island worlds, wine country and a vibrant history. Depending on whether you are primarily looking for beach days, nature experiences, culture or wine towns, you can choose your vacation rental based on a different starting point. The trip becomes especially varied when peaceful landscapes and active excursions are deliberately combined.

Coast and Nature between Beach and Chaparral

At El Capitán State Beach, sandy beaches, rocky tide pools and stands of sycamore trees meet. Swimming, fishing, surfing, picnicking and camping are possible there. The beach can be reached via Highway 101 and Exit 117 and is located 17 miles west of Santa Barbara. This specific location is important when choosing your accommodation if you want to combine days on the coast with activities in Santa Barbara.

A different landscape awaits you at Point Sal State Beach in the northwest of Santa Barbara County. From there, views extend across the coast, beach and rugged mountain slopes; typical coastal sage scrub and chaparral communities grow on the slopes. Fishing is possible. Public access is via Brown Road. At the same time, clear restrictions apply: Access by motor vehicles and bicycles, as well as camping, is not permitted there.

Gaviota State Park complements the coastal landscape with hiking and multi-use trails leading into oak woodlands and the chaparral backcountry. Surfing is also possible, and there are natural sulfur springs. Those who want to switch between beaches, trails and unusual natural features during one trip will find different experiences here without leaving the coast-focused theme.

Islands and Special Excursions

Channel Islands National Park is accessible only by boats and aircraft operated by park concessioners or by private boat. There are no means of transportation on the islands; all areas are reached on foot, by kayak or by private boat. Swimming, diving, snorkeling and kayaking are possible on Santa Barbara Island. However, there are no lifeguards there, which you should take into account when planning a day of swimming.

Santa Cruz Island also offers a special connection with nature: It is the only place in the world where the island scrub-jay occurs. Guided sea-kayaking tours are offered at Scorpion Anchorage, while there is no kayak rental on the island. Anyone planning such an island experience should therefore consider the organized tour as part of the excursion planning. The Scorpion Canyon Campground offers basic campsites: 31 sites cost 15 US dollars per night and site, and reservations are required.

Wine Country, History and Urban Atmosphere

Santa Barbara County includes seven federally recognized American Viticultural Areas. Several tour operators offer guided tours in Santa Barbara wine country with transportation to the Santa Ynez Valley. In downtown Santa Barbara, the Urban Wine Trail can be explored on foot. For your accommodation, this creates a clear distinction between a stay focused on an urban wine offering and a trip centered on excursions into the Santa Ynez Valley.

History can be combined with the landscape at La Purísima Mission State Historic Park. The area was home to the Chumash for thousands of years. Public tours follow a historic, approximately one-mile loop trail with mission buildings and outdoor grounds. They take place on Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., as well as Wednesdays through Sundays at 1:00 p.m., and last approximately 90 minutes. The visitor center is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Right Location for Your Trip

For a trip involving different interests, Santa Barbara may be appealing as an urban base for the Urban Wine Trail, while the coastal destinations farther west require different day planning. Those who want to experience nature and water particularly intensively should factor in the additional access requirements for the Channel Islands. Rancho Guadalupe Dunes Preserve also imposes seasonal restrictions: Part of the preserve is closed from March 1 to October 1 to protect the habitat of the breeding and nesting western snowy plover. The most frequently used hike follows the ocean south to Mussel Point/Rock.

You can find further specific starting points for your search for a suitable vacation rental in Carpinteria, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Solvang, Goleta, Lompoc, Buellton, Santa Ynez, Los Alamos, Montecito, Los Olivos, Mission Canyon, Mission Hills and Toro Canyon.

For the higher-level travel overview: California.