Your weekend at a glance
- Day 1: The Old Mission, downtown and the Courthouse tower, the Funk Zone, sunset and dinner.
- Day 2: One adventure (kayaking, whale watching or a hike), beach time, or a trip to Solvang.
Only have one day? Use our one day in Santa Barbara itinerary instead.
Day 1: Mission, downtown and the Funk Zone
Morning: Old Mission Santa Barbara
Start at the "Queen of the Missions," up the hill above downtown. Come early for quiet photos of the twin bell towers and the rose garden out front. Our Old Mission guide covers tickets and tour options.
Midday: Downtown and the Courthouse tower
Head downtown for lunch, then walk to the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, a working courthouse and National Historic Landmark. Take the elevator up the 85-foot "El Mirador" clock tower for a free 360-degree view over red tile roofs to the ocean and mountains. If you time it right, join the free docent tour at 2 p.m. (it runs daily except December 25 and starts in the Mural Room). Our landmarks guide has more nearby.
Afternoon: The Funk Zone
Walk or take the bus toward the beach and spend the afternoon in the Funk Zone, a few blocks of tasting rooms, murals and galleries near the waterfront. New to Santa Barbara wine? Our wine tasting guide explains the region.
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Evening: Sunset and dinner
Walk out on Stearns Wharf or find a beach for sunset (our sunset spots guide has the best ones), then have dinner downtown or in the Funk Zone. Celebrating something? Our date night guide has romantic ideas.
Day 2: Pick your adventure
Choose one big thing in the morning, then slow down in the afternoon.
- Get on the water: Rent a kayak or paddleboard in the harbor and paddle out to see the sea lions. See our kayaking and paddleboarding guide.
- Go whale watching: Whales pass Santa Barbara at different times of year. Our whale watching guide explains the seasons.
- Take a hike: The foothill trails above town have big ocean views. Start with our Santa Barbara hikes.
- Head to wine country: Spend the day in the Danish village with our Solvang day trip guide.
In the afternoon, pick a beach and relax before heading home.
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Have a third day?
Take a boat to Channel Islands National Park, just off the coast. Plan ahead, since trips depend on boat schedules and weather.
FAQ
Is a weekend enough time in Santa Barbara?
Yes. Two days covers the main sights, the Funk Zone and a sunset, plus one big activity like kayaking, whale watching or a Solvang day trip.
Is the Santa Barbara Courthouse open to visitors?
Yes. It's open daily, with free docent tours weekdays at 10:30 a.m. and every day except December 25 at 2 p.m. You can also ride the elevator to the clock tower for free.
Is Santa Barbara good for a couples getaway?
Very. Sunsets on the water, wine tasting in the Funk Zone and Santa Ynez Valley, and walkable downtown dinners make it a classic romantic weekend. See our date night ideas.
Do I need a car for a Santa Barbara weekend?
Not for downtown, the Funk Zone and the beach, which are close together. You'll want a car or a tour for Solvang and the wine country.
Plan your trip
Coming from the south? See our day trip from LA and getting to Santa Barbara guides.