It has been a month since I landed in sunny Santa Barbara, California. On a personal level I am grateful every single day to be here in such a stunning corner of the world, and as a lifestyle photographer, it feels like a dream come true. They call it the American Riviera for a reason. No wonder so many people come here for weddings, honeymoons, or a much-needed getaway. Each street is lined with flowers, the air smells like fresh gardens and sea spray, and I see hummingbirds dancing in the sunlight daily. Spanish Colonial Revival architecture wraps the city in tile magic, and there is always something that makes me stop in my tracks. While my “big cam” has not made too many outings yet, my iPhone has been doing the heavy lifting. Here are a few of the places already making Santa Barbara feel like home.
The beach feels like the best place to begin. Each one I have visited so far has its own personality, but Butterfly Beach in Montecito instantly stood out. Just ten minutes from town, it is the kind of place where you want to pack a picnic and stay until the last bit of sunlight disappears. I celebrated a friend’s birthday there my first week in town and it felt like the perfect welcome. The golden light, the quiet waves, the easy company, it is exactly what people imagine when they picture the best of the California coast. From there, it didn’t take long to start finding other favorites.
East Beach quickly became part of my weekly rhythm thanks to Santa Barbara Beach Yoga. They hand you headphones, and suddenly the world melts away as you flow with the sound of the ocean. I have practiced there on both gray mornings and bright ones, and each time it feels restorative. Around me, people play beach volleyball, swim in the surf, or walk the shoreline. If you are looking for things to do in Santa Barbara that embody the California lifestyle, this is it.
Stearns Wharf is one of those classic Santa Barbara experiences. Walking out along the pier gives you views back on the city framed by the Santa Ynez Mountains, while pelicans swoop and surfers paddle below. A short stroll away is Leadbetter Beach, a favorite with locals. If you are planning a trip and searching “best Santa Barbara beaches,” these two will give you a mix of activity, scenery, and a true sense of place.
Head a little higher and you’ll find an even wider view. Perched above the ocean, Shoreline Park is where you go for big skies and wide water. From here, Leadbetter Beach stretches out below and the Pacific seems endless. Families fly kites, kids ride bikes, and couples walk hand in hand. It is one of those spots that reminds you to pause and take it all in.
When I wanted a break from salt air, I found another favorite tucked into the hills. The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is 78 acres of meadows, trails, and native plants. Walking through feels like stepping into a living postcard of California. We visited when the wildflowers were in bloom and it was pure joy. If you are looking for nature activities in Santa Barbara, this is a must. It is also high on my list of dream backdrops for portraits.
Back in town, the energy shifts again. The Funk Zone is packed with restaurants, bars, and artful corners. Whether you want wine tasting, a brewery, or even a tiki bar, it is all here with a local twist. My early favorite has been Llama Dog, where the pours are generous and the atmosphere is all about good vibes.
The Public Market makes it easy to sample the city’s food scene in one place. From tacos to noodles to handmade ice cream, it has a little of everything. If you go, order ceviche from Corazón Cocina, grab a seat on the patio, and thank yourself later.
State Street is lined with shops, bars, and restaurants that flow all the way to the ocean. Since the pandemic, large portions have been pedestrian-only, which makes it even more inviting. I love walking there in the morning when it is quiet or in the evening when it comes alive. Start the weekend early with a pretzel and a pint at Institution Ale Company and you will understand why State Street is at the heart of Santa Barbara.
Beyond State Street, there are plenty of Santa Barbara spots worth seeking out. Buena Onda serves up Argentinian empanadas that are rich, flaky, and unforgettable. Some are savory and hearty while others lean sweet, like the combination of honey, apples, and goat cheese. Hook & Press Donuts is another favorite with inventive flavors that make it hard to walk out with just one. And if you are looking for a good local pour, Draughtsmen Aleworks delivers with beers that feel right at home on the Central Coast. I am just getting started, and I cannot wait to discover all the other places still on my list.
No visit to Santa Barbara is complete without McConnell’s Ice Cream. They have been around since 1949 and know exactly what they are doing. My first order was churro con leche with actual churro pieces and I was hooked.
On the coffee front, Lighthouse and Dune have both been keeping this Seattleite happy. One morning at Dune Coffee, a barista handed me my latte and simply said, “Have the greatest of days.” It was such a small thing, but it caught me. The phrase has stayed with me as a little reminder to notice and savor the everyday.
Of course, this is only the beginning. I went to school in Southern California and spent a year in Northern California, but the Central Coast is new territory. It carries its own rhythm, relaxed, friendly, and full of warmth. Maybe it is because I arrived after years in the Pacific Northwest, or maybe it is because of the pandemic, but the kindness here has been a balm.
Santa Barbara is not the same place I breezed through in my twenties. It has grown into something vibrant and welcoming, full of art, small businesses, and charm tucked into every corner. From the courthouse lawn to the Funk Zone to the tiled stairways that surprise you when you least expect it, this city shines in its details.
It may be small, but it is mighty. And for me, it has become the backdrop for a story I want to carry forward: a reminder to have the greatest of days. That phrase first found me at Dune Coffee in the most ordinary way, but it has turned into a mantra. It reminds me to savor what is in front of me, to let the small details add up to something bigger. Whether it is beach yoga, a scoop of ice cream, or simply watching a hummingbird dart through the sun, Santa Barbara has been teaching me that the day can be great if I let it.
