If youre going on a road trip from Monterey to Santa Barbara, we did the research for you and compiled some great stops along the way with Paso Robles, Big Sur, San Luis Obispo, Cambria, Solvang, Pismo Beach, and Morro Bay and top places to visit like Eberle Winery and Sculpterra Winery, or the ever-popular Estrella Warbird Museum. Walk around the courthouse complex to see the signature white walls and red-tiled roofs from all angles. This was my first wine tasting experience. (3) Rangers were very helpful, present & courteous throughout - unlike the CA State Parks/Beaches (4) boat rentals available & being on the lake with a motorized boat was GREAT! It is a working church. 3,100-acre, man-made lake for camping, boating & fishing in a tranquil setting with yurt rentals. However, I want to set expectations properly. So much so that we joined. It's located just 1.5 miles from 101 off Mission Street exit. WOW!!!! On the 2nd floor, step inside the hushed mural room Top ChoiceChurch in Santa Barbara. Whitney, the manager of the Farmers Market, said, The market started in 1983, and now it is world famous, bringing tourists to the market as well as locals.. What a wonderful experience. It even smells fruity. Historic Stearns Wharf is one of the most popular Santa Barbara attractions. The organization this app provides has taken a huge weight off my shoulders. 0 minutes off the main route, 56% of way to Santa Barbara. view all routes. Ravine Water Park has slides and a wave pool. The store/restaurant is great and lots of items to buy. Here youll find the Sunken gardens where many weddings take place, an elevator to the 85-foot El Mirador clock tower for a panoramic view of downtown Santa Barbara, many hand-painted rooms full of detail (including the fantastic Mural Room), the Spirit of the Ocean fountain, and many wrought-iron hand-rails and window coverings which make the courthouse what it is spectacular.More. Despite their Desert their bookstore had no volumes on palm trees or their care. For someone like me who is completely oblivious to plays or musicals, this was still highly entertaining. The beach was spectacular and great to explore. Park on the side of the road and take the short walk to the lookout. It's so beautiful that I chose to get married there. Nice activities for small children and the whole family really. What an awesome experience! Great shopping, upgraded the pier area recently, great spot. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates. Free parking. The grounds also contain several beautiful gardens. Even if you only take a quick walk along the pier, the views alone make a visit to Stearns Wharf one of the best free things to do in Santa Barbara especially if you come around sunset. Everyone in the family will enjoy the child-friendly Sea Center and a variety of novelty shops selling delicious candy and ice-cream just the thing for a happy holiday outing. The trail is amazing and stroller friendly. Military aviation museum featuring aircraft, objects & memorabilia, plus military vehicles. Also, the outdoor Stations of the Cross allow you to reflect on our Lord's Passion. We loved the wine, and the grounds are beautiful. 1.5 hours Solvang. We saw the whole Zoo in less than 2hrs. Additional terms apply. Founded in 1786, Mission Santa Barbara is a great place to start exploring and learning about Santa Barbaras Spanish roots. I wish we got the chance to attend a service here - next time for sure. The Flying Goat lifts you away at first sight. Answer 1 of 5: Hey! You can check the road conditions from Monterey to Santa Barbara. Superb experience, excellent wine, inside pleasant tasting room on a very windy day and they even provided bottled water for between tastings. Parking is free, adult $16.If you are a student bring your student ID for a discount. Try starting your trip from Carmel By the Sea, Carmel Valley, Pacific Grove, Seaside (California), Carmel, Marina, or Sand City. The courthouses history is interesting as well Free tours are offered each day at 2pm (and weekdays at 10:30am) in the mural room on the second floor of the building. It's not crazy crowded like San Juan Capistrano, for example. I've heard it can be windy at any time. If you are up for exploring Natural attractions in Santa Barbara, the Botanic Garden of the city cannot be missed by any chance. Love love love! Incredible wines, over-the-top service from Iddy, tasty pistachios grown on-site, and beautiful art all around. On your way out of Monterey, check out Point Lobos for some hiking trails with sea cliff views. Rolling waves, great for kids. Ive been in winter and summer and its always a beautiful view. But never attempt to take nor steal clams from the pier I literally saw a entire family get embarrassed belongings searched as well but I still enjoyed my stay on the beach Great atmosphere. The views of the mountains and palm trees in the distance are so beautiful that no photo can really do it justice. Since admiring beautiful architecture is one of the best things to do in Santa Barbara, the Santa Barbara County Courthouse is one building that you dont want to miss. Exactly what I needed to plan a trip. They were closed for a while do to COVID. A somewhat hidden gem of a county park off the beaten path. Case in point? Maybe my favorite winery in Paso. It's easy to spend an hour or more in the VS just learning about the mission. I have learned that the best gifts come from the most unexpected sources. Enjoy the road stretch from Morro Bay on the south, along the Big Sur coastline, up to Monterey at the north. Here, youll find restaurants, souvenir shops, a shellfish market, and a bait and tackle shop where you can rent fishing gear and get help from employees reeling in your own catch on the wharf. It has a great visitor center that is super educational. From its painted ceilings down to its tiled-floors, the Santa Barbara County Courthouse is a must-see! And the novelty of a tasting room that combined high-class methode champenoise offerings with plush, stuffed billygoat decor made my heart sing. Amazing wines. It is one of the oldest church around Notable Pros: (1) Proximity to lake via various marked hiking trails from most camp areas (2) Fairly well-stocked General Store with firewood, ice, liquor, RV accessories, etc. When youre ready to get your blood pumping, head to Santa Barbara Harbor to rent paddle boards, kayaks, and bikes. The present church was constructed in 1820, with three different churches being present before that. My sisters and I really enjoyed our time here. The Santa Barbara County Courthouse isnt known for being one of the most romantic things to do in Santa Barbara but it still owns the title of most beautiful government building in the US. It is kinda gross but also unusual. The live music and food truck and added bonus. We didn't get an opportunity to attend the docent led tour. drive for about 47 minutes. Love the Flying Goat labels. The inside is even more striking--long, colonnaded hallways lined with tapestries and heavy, carved wooden furniture. 10 Refugio Beach Rd, Goleta, CA 93117, USA. Beautiful Carmel River Beach just outside the town of Carmel-by-the-Sea Its also just an alley, so its also one of SLOs free things to do, as well as being among its most-discussed. A couple cabins with views available from the hill top. I have been coming here since I was younger and it has changed in many ways. Very dry and dusty and not environmentally pet friendly, but a great location & lake area. Planning travel has actually been fun instead of tedious because of this app. One-Way Driving Time : 4 hours and 45 minutes. You will see the nice forest view from here I grew up in So Cal. Stearns Wharf is one of Santa Barbaras most popular tourist attractions offering family fun for all ages. Containing over 1,000 species of rare and indigenRead more. We met with Father after Spanish Mass and he was very warm and welcoming. Santa Barbara is a small California city located on a beautiful stretch of the Pacific coastline. This loop through Central California offers a delightful sampler of the best of the Golden State: dramatic coastline, charming towns, captivating history and, of course, plenty of wine. Youll have to stop by at least once while youre in town! Great for pictures and the waves are alright. Pinnacles National Park (2 mentions) All in all, we had a great time and would love to go back. Paso Robles is the most popular city on the route it's 2 hours from Monterey and 2 hours from Santa Barbara. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates. The San Luis Obispo Museum of Art focuses on work by contemporary California artists. Not much in gift shop How long is the drive from San Francisco to Santa Barbara?. Thanks again. One-of-a-kind experience that I imagine is the perfect place to start in Paso. Im not even one that loves wine, but I was blown away by how delicious all options were. Recommended Bus Take the bus from Salinas to Santa Barbara 6h 49m $31 - $48 Bus via Santa Maria More than 5.5 miles of paths wind their way through the pine-scented woodland. Morro Bay State Parks Museum of Natural History features exhibits on ecology and local Native American culture. Campsite, playground great for family picnics. Caves are amazing. Their mission is to preserve Californias beautiful and diverse plants in a sustainable way so that they can be enjoyed for years to come. Whenever I come back for another vacation I am definitely bringing my family to try this!!! A delightful evening shared with friends. Food vendors set up along with producers and vendors offering a wonderful array of choices. You can visit the crypts and walk around the gardens. Approximate Driving Time (no stops): About 2 hours. Dogs are allowed on a leash only and please clean after your dog. I know like that seems like an exaggeration, but I'm not joking. The fee for most people is $15 but there are certain discounts for certain people. Visitors to the Santa Barbara County Courthouse have the chance to explore one of the most beautiful public buildings in America. You can camp here, on the main grounds not on the beach itself. You can take lifestyle photos (like the ones below), or get stunning shots of the city from a different vantage point. Where State Street ends, Stearns Wharf begins, shooting out into the harbor as a popular hangout for people craving fresh seafood, scenic views, or want to splurge on their last day before leaving Santa Barbara. I tried to enter the church but it was closed. Its imposing Ionic facade, an architectural homage to an ancient Roman chapel, is topped by an unusual twin-bell tower. The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden flows like a green sea through Mission Canyon to the feet of the Santa Ynez Mountains. Learn MoreView Website. The staff is awesome, kind, helpful, nice and so much fun to do tastings with. Large, legendary pier with steps to the beach, popular for fishing & illuminated for night surfing. It's downtown near other restaurants. The downtown area is great with nice bars and restaurants. Stearns Wharfis one of Santa Barbaras most beautiful destinations because of its gorgeous azure water and abundance of little local shops. The cave tour was very neat and informative (and free!) Offshore islands for activities like fishing, boating & scuba diving, plus whale & wildlife views. Today, Eberle is one of the highest award-winning wineries in the U.S. and ranks in the top 10 for gold medal award-winning wineries in the country. This is not the spot for adventure seekers. Notable stops are Half Moon Bay, Pescadero, Santa Cruz, Monterey, Carmel-By-The-Sea, Pismo Beach, Yosemite National Park and Sequoia National Park. Stay organized with a to-do list, packing list, shopping list, any kind of list. 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