The Ultimate 2-Day Santa Barbara Itinerary: How to See it All in One Weekend

I’ll admit it: I spent years giving Santa Barbara the cold shoulder. As a Bay Area native who prefers hiking boots to high-end boutiques, I assumed the “American Riviera” was just a glossy, overpriced extension of the Hollywood. I didn’t think it was a place for “nature people”—until I actually spent 48 hours there.

What I realized is that Santa Barbara isn’t just for city people. Don’t get me wrong—the sun-drenched State Street Promenade and the iconic white stucco buildings are absolutely charming. But the real magic is how seamlessly that city energy sits right next to the wild coast.

It’s a place where you can soak in hidden blue hot springs in the morning, track endangered plovers in the afternoon, and get lost in the busy downtown by dinner. We arrived as skeptics and left as total converts. If you only have a weekend to see the side of Santa Barbara that won me over, this is the perfect, step-by-step 2-day Santa Barbara itinerary to help you make the most of every minute.

How to get to Santa Barbara

Since we’re “Northern California people,” we’re used to long coastal drives, but here’s the breakdown of all the options.

Getting to Santa Barbara by car

Driving is the easiest way to see everything. Santa Barbara is one of those rare places where the “getting there” is actually part of the vacation.

If you’re coming from the North, you have two choices: The 101 (which takes you through rolling hills, vineyards, and cute ranch towns like San Luis Obispo) or Highway 1 (the legendary coastal route). Highway 1 is stunning, but check for road closures near Big Sur before you commit—it’s a long way to turn around!

Typical Drive Times to Santa Barbara

• From SF Bay Area: 5.5 – 6 hours (via 101) or 8+ hours (via Highway 1).
• From Los Angeles: 1.5 – 2 hours (depending on how much LA traffic wants to ruin your day).
• From San Diego: 3.5 – 4 hours.
• From San Luis Obispo: 1.5 hours.

Getting to Santa Barbara by Public Transport

Believe it or not, Santa Barbara is actually a great place to explore without a car. The downtown area is very walkable, and for everything else, a quick Uber or Lyft will get you there in minutes.

For a completely different vibe, the Amtrak Coast Starlight or the Pacific Surfliner is actually a very cool way to see the coast. You get views of the ocean that you literally cannot see from the road because the tracks run right along the bluffs. It’s definitely not the fastest way to travel (expect 9+ hours from the Bay), but if you want to drink a glass of wine and watch the Pacific roll by without touching a steering wheel, it’s hard to beat.

Where to stay in Santa Barbara

Accessible and close to everything: Downtown

If you want to be in the middle of everything, stay near State Street. It’s the most accessible part of the city, and since the State Street Promenade is now pedestrian-only, you can walk to dinner, the courthouse, and dozens of boutiques without ever needing your car keys.

Steps away from the sand: West Beach & The Waterfront

If your goal is to wake up and see the Pacific immediately, this is your spot. You’re right across from Stearns Wharf and the harbor. It’s perfect for sunrise walks, renting a bike to cruise the coastal paths, or just being lazy on the beach. You’ll pay a bit more for the view, but being that close to the water is hard to beat.

The “Treat Yourself” Luxury Experience: Montecito

If you’re feeling extra bougie or just want to see how the other half lives, head to Montecito. It’s incredibly lush, quiet, and home to some of the most famous people on the planet. The hotels here are world-class (and priced accordingly), but it’s also the best area to stay if you want to be right at the base of the mountain trailheads.

The Best Value (Without Losing the Charm): Carpinteria or Goleta

The hotels in SB are stunning, often looking like something straight out of a Mediterranean travel magazine, but they definitely come with a “premium” price tag. If you want to avoid the $400-a-night baseline of downtown SB but still want that vacation vibe, look at the adjacent towns like Goleta or Carpinteria.

We stayed at the Best Western Plus Carpinteria Inn, and it was fantastic. Even though it was much cheaper than staying in the city center, it still had that signature Santa Barbara charm with Spanish-style architecture. They also have a really nice swimming pool and a hot tub that we used every evening. The best part – It’s only about a 10-15 minute drive into Santa Barbara.

The Ultimate 2-Day Santa Barbara Itinerary

If you’re looking for a comprehensive list of every “must-see” landmark or want to find more alternatives to swap into this schedule, be sure to refer to my Best Things to Do in Santa Barbara guide. Now, let’s get on the road!

Day 1: Coastal Art, Plovers, and the “Secret” Sunset

9:00 AM – The Morning Refresher: East Beach Walk

Start your weekend by breathing in the salt air at East Beach. While most tourists head straight for the wharf, the locals are here on the wide, palm-lined path along E Cabrillo Blvd. It’s flat and offers that classic postcard view where the mountains seem to drop directly into the Pacific.

10:00 AM – The Chromatic Gate

You’ll see it long before you reach it—a massive, multi-colored rainbow arch designed by Herbert Bayer. It sits right in front of the Hilton and serves as the perfect “I’ve arrived” landmark.

10:30 AM – Funk Zone Fuel: Dart Coffee & Brunch at Tamar

Head a few blocks inland to the Funk Zone, the city’s creative epicenter.

• The Coffee: Grab a latte at Dart Coffee Co. * The Secret Garden: Don’t just stand on the sidewalk; look for the metal gate directly across from the shop. It leads to a hidden, lush garden filled with succulents and local art—it’s a total sanctuary.
• The Brunch: Right next door is Tamar that serves the Middle Eastern soul food. Their falafel and freshly baked pita are the perfect “not-too-heavy” brunch to fuel a day of walking.

11:30 AM – Wander in The Funk Zone

Spend an hour exploring the back alleys of this neighborhood. It’s a mix of industrial warehouses, vibrant murals, and surf shops. It’s the “gritty” contrast to the red-tiled roofs you’ll see later. Pop into SeaVees (the local sneaker brand) to see their flagship space—it feels like a curated museum of California cool.

12:30 PM – State Street Promenade & Paseo Nuevo

Walk toward the mountains into the State Street Promenade. This ten-block stretch is entirely pedestrian-only, filled with outdoor dining and boutiques.

As you walk, you’ll likely find yourself wandering into Paseo Nuevo. It’s an open-air shopping center that doesn’t feel like a mall at all; it’s more like a series of beautiful, Spanish-style alleyways (or paseos). Look for the famous tiled Spanish steps inside—they are covered in intricate patterns and are one of the most photographed spots in the city.

You’ll inevitably see a line for McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams. It’s a local legend, but here’s my hot take: it’s okay to skip it. While the quality is high, it can be incredibly rich and the wait times are often long. If the line is out the door, don’t feel guilty about spending that time exploring more hidden alleyways instead.

3:00 PM – Bird Watching at Coal Oil Point Reserve

Time to trade the pavement for the dunes. This is my favorite thing we did in Santa Barbara – Drive about 15 minutes north to Goleta to find the Western Snowy Plover. These tiny endangered birds look like fast-moving “cotton balls on stilts.” Walk out to the rope lines and look for the volunteer docents; they often have high-powered scopes set up so you can see the tiny chicks without disturbing their habitat.

Parking is strictly enforced at UCSB. Look for the paid visitor lots (like Lot 6) and use the pay station.

4:00 PM – Sunset & Tide Pools at Sands Beach

Just a short walk from the reserve is Sands Beach. If you’ve timed your visit with a low tide, head to the rocky points. You’ll find a rugged world of sea anemones, crabs, and purple sea urchins. I found this beach much quieter, more expansive sunset than the ones in town.

6:00 PM – Dinner at the Santa Barbara Public Market

Head back toward the city center for dinner at the Public Market. Go here for the vibe and the options, rather than a quiet, five-star meal. It’s a modern food court that’s perfect for groups or solo travelers who want to sample different things.

I tried Empty Bowl Gourmet Noodle Bar (the Thai spot). Their soupy noodles are great comfort food after a windy afternoon on the coast—warm, flavorful, and filling.

7:30 PM – Hot Tub Soak

Head back to your hotel. If you’re staying in the Best Western Plus Carpinteria Inn, you can check out their hot tub. The hotel’s hot tub was the perfect place to soak our “plover-tracking” legs.

Day 2: Mountain Soaks & Architecture Walks

6:30 AM – Sunrise at the Montecito Hot Springs

We started our hike at 6:30 AM and snagged the very last parking spot at the trailhead. The hike takes about 45 minutes to an hour to reach the springs. I highly recommend using the AllTrails map for directions; the path can get confusing near the end, and the map saved us from getting lost.

Once you arrive, you’ll find about eight pools with varying temperatures. The higher pools are properly hot (well over 100F), while the lower ones mellow out to a lukewarm soak. Arriving at sunrise meant we could easily claim a private pool before the crowds arrived.

Packing List: Bring plenty of water (you will feel dehydrated), your swimsuit, a change of dry clothes, and sturdy hiking shoes.

11:00 AM – Aesthetic Brunch at Caje Coffee Roasters

After hiking back and freshening up, head to Caje Coffee Roasters for what might be the most beautiful brunch in the city. We ordered the Bella Rose and Jupiter’s Forest lattes, along with the avocado toast and the Works bagel.

Everything was delicious, but the real star is the presentation—the drinks are decorated like works of art, and the courtyard space is a lush, Mediterranean dream.

12:30 PM – The Santa Barbara County Courthouse

Make your way to the Courthouse, which is widely considered one of the most beautiful public buildings in the country. This National Historic Landmark is free to enter. Take the elevator up to the Clock Tower for a 360-degree view of Santa Barbara’s iconic red-tiled roofs against the backdrop of the Pacific.

Before you head back down, spend a few minutes in the Mural Room on the second floor; the hand-painted walls tell the story of California’s history in a space that feels like a European palace.

2:00 PM – Step Back in Time: El Presidio

Just a short walk from the Courthouse is El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park. This was the last of the Spanish military outposts built in California, founded in 1782. Walking through the restored adobe quarters and the chapel gives you a quiet, grounded perspective on the city’s origins. It’s a manageable site that offers a peaceful break from the busier shopping districts.

3:00 PM – The “Dr. Seuss” Architecture Walk

Spend your final afternoon on a self-guided scavenger hunt for the work of architect Jeff Shelton. His buildings are a whimsical rebellion against the city’s strict white-stucco rules, featuring curved walls, hand-painted tiles, and ironwork that looks straight out of a storybook. Most of his most famous creations are clustered in a small area downtown, making for an easy self-guided walking tour. Here are the “must-sees”.

• Pistachio House (407 State St)
• El Jardin (819 Garden St)
• Ablitt Tower (13 W Haley St)
• El Zapato (522 Garden St)
• El Andaluz (531 Chapala St)

Note: If you are planning to drive back to the Bay Area early to beat the traffic, this is your cue to head out. But if you have one last sunset in you, head to the coast.

5:00 PM – Early Dinner & Sunset: Shoreline Café & Leadbetter Beach

For your final meal, head to Shoreline Café at Leadbetter Beach. They have a section of tables literally sitting in the sand, so you can enjoy fish tacos with your toes in the warm sand. It’s the ultimate way to close out the trip. After dinner, walk a few steps onto the beach to catch the legendary “cotton candy” sunset as the sky turns shades of pastel pink and orange over the water.

Santa Barbara Itinerary FAQ

Whether you spent your weekend tracking the tiny snowy plovers at Coal Oil Point or soaking in the mineral-rich waters of the Montecito hills, I hope this itinerary helped you see that Santa Barbara is so much more than just a luxury stopover. It’s a place where the “wild” and the “refined” live right next door to each other, and you don’t have to choose between being a hiker or a city explorer.

If there’s one thing I learned from my own 48 hours here, it’s that the magic of the American Riviera isn’t found in the expensive storefronts—it’s in the way the “cotton candy” sunset hits the Santa Ynez mountains and the laid back beaches on the beautiful Santa Barbara coast.

Let’s Stay Connected!

• Follow the Journey: If you used this guide to find a blue hot spring or a Jeff Shelton masterpiece, tag me @weekendwanderersinc on Instagram—I’d love to see your photos!
• Unlock the Secrets: Don’t forget to check out Wander Vault – this is my subscriber-only corner of the site where I share my raw GPS coordinates and the “secret” spots that I don’t post anywhere else.
• Plan Your Next Escape: Not ready for the weekend to end? Check out my other California Weekend Getaways for more nature-first inspiration.