The Best Way to Spend One Day in Santa Barbara, California

Why Bother Spending One Day in Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara is basically the perfect little beach town. Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and San Ynez mountains, this quaint surf town is just far enough from Los Angeles to avoid the crazy, but close enough to enjoy warmer air and sea temperatures. Its coastal location keeps the weather perfect almost all year (with the exception of June gloom), and its close proximity to the mountains and the sea provide no shortage of outdoor adventures to be had. And on the occasional rainy day? Spend time in a local winery’s tasting room or check out one of the many small museums to learn more about the local area! Pretty soon you’ll come to realize that one day in Santa Barbara just isn’t enough time!

However, sometimes you just don’t have time to take a longer trip (no matter how much you’d love to) and that’s okay! I’ve pieced together the most in depth, culturally immersive single Santa Barbara day trip that you could imagine. From sun-up to sun-down you’ll be actively exploring the culture of this historic town. From the mountains to the beach, you’ll really get a feel of that coastal vibe as you hike, kayak, and sample local cuisine and wine— all in your one day in Santa Barbara.

Some of you might not be up for such a full-on adventure, but that’s the beauty of this itinerary! You can pick and choose which activities suit you best, and still have an active day exploring Santa Barbara.

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, designed to allow The Unremarkable Climber (me) to earn a small commission if you choose to book through them, at no extra cost to you. This really helps support the site and lets me know you find this information valuable! That being said, all of the experiences I recommend, commission based or not, are genuine recommendations for some of my favorite activities, so I hope you enjoy them as much as I have! Feel free to drop any questions in the message box below.

Sunrise Beach Walk/Surf at Leadbetter Beach

7:00am – 8:00am

For some, the best way to wake up in Santa Barbara is with a chilly saltwater cocktail at sunrise. If the swell is cooperating, I recommend going for a quick surf Leadbetter Beach— perfect for longboarding. If not, a quick sunrise dip will be sure to get your energy up for your Santa Barbara day trip.

For the rest of us who prefer to stay warm and dry, we can still take full advantage of our one day in Santa Barbara with a quiet sunrise beach walk down Leadbetter Beach. At low tide, continue five minutes up the road to One Thousand Steps Beach for a more secluded beach walk. Located in a neighborhood, this secret beach is nice and quiet. To keep it that way, I like to park at Shoreline Park for a perfect sunrise view, then walk over to One Thousand Steps Beach for an early morning beach walk. Check the tides because at high tide, the beach all but disappears.

Wrap up your morning activity by 8:00am to continue with your itinerary!

Coffee + Acai on Historic State Street in Downtown SB

8:00am – 8:45am

If a quiet beach walk isn’t quite enough to wake you up, take a quick drive down to State Street for some local coffee and acai bowls! There’s nothing that screams SoCal like micro brew coffee and fresh fruit!

Located downtown are two of my favorite breakfast joints in Santa Barbara: Santa Barbara Roasting Company and Backyard Bowls. Situated next door to one another, they make the perfect breakfast pair! I personally cannot drink coffee, so I opt for tea or matcha at Santa Barbara Roasting Company, but the my friends all love the coffee! The breakfasts are good too, but I can’t help but go next door for a smoothie bowl full of fresh fruit!

With breakfast in hand, I like to take a stroll up State Street and appreciate the Spanish-style architecture— reminiscent of the area’s cultural history. Mission Santa Barbara was a popular stop along historic El Camino Real, California’s Historic Mission Trail. Today, the street is lined with boutique shops and restaurants! Don’t explore for too long though, because your one day in Santa Barbara has only just begun! Try to be in the car on the way to your next activity by 8:45am at the latest.

Morning Hike: Cold Spring Trail Loop

9:00am – 12:00pm

One day in Santa Barbara isn’t complete without a hike through nature. After all, Santa Barbara locals are an active bunch, always hiking, beach cruising, and boating! We take full advantage of our outdoor activities year-round! After breakfast, you’ll want to embrace that culture and continue your one day in Santa Barbara by exploring Cold Spring Trail Loop.

To get your hike started, park at Cold Spring Trailhead. Try to arrive by 9:00am to beat the heat and find parking as this is a popular trailhead with limited parking spots— and for good reason! From here, you will have a few different moderate to strenuous hiking options which include natural springs and breathtaking views over Santa Barbara.

Hiking Cold Spring Trail Loop

The main hiking option I’d recommend is the 2.1 mile Cold Spring Trail Loop. I’d recommend hiking clockwise, so you’ll be in the shade as you climb uphill. The hike will follow Cold Spring Creek and lead you to a small waterfall while climbing roughly 700 feet to an incredible view over Santa Barbara. On a clear day, you’ll catch a glimpse of all four of the northern Channel Islands: Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, and San Miguel before descending back to the trailhead.

As with most trails in Santa Barbara, beware of poison oak and heat exhaustion. Poison oak is easy enough to avoid if you know what it looks like, but heat exhaustion can catch you off guard. Be sure to bring plenty of water, especially in the summer. On hotter summer days, definitely cool off in the creek or maybe consider a different activity (like a nice cool museum below!).

I hike quickly and can complete the loop in about an hour, but go at your own pace and enjoy your time in nature. Three hours should give you time to finish your hike by noon in order to cram in a few more fun activities before the day is up!

A Detour to Montecito Hot Springs

In the wintertime, consider adding two miles (and 600ish feet of elevation) to your trek and check out Montecito Hot Springs— a series of hot pools deep in the Montecito wilderness. Though quite a trek, the hot springs are quite busy. Families, dogs, and even nudity are common here, but it is still a super cool spot to check out! Checking out the hot springs will add 1-1.5 hours to your hike, so I’d only recommend this option if you are a quick hiker and can arrive at the connector trail by 10:30am! Otherwise, save this for the next time you visit.

**Local Tip: An additional hiking option from this trailhead for only the most adventurous is Tangerine Falls Trail, which ends with a 1500-foot scramble to the base of a 100-foot waterfall, which flows well after a rainy day.

Best Lunch in Santa Barbara

12:00pm – 1:00pm

If everything has gone to plan, it’s now (hopefully) just after noon and you’re probably hungry at this point— maybe even hangry. Luckily, I know a couple of awesome spots you can choose from to refuel!

Shalhoob’s Funk Zone Patio: The tri-tip sandwich is one of my favorite sandwiches anywhere
Metropulos Fine Foods Merchant: Quaint Mediterranean grocery market with an extensive and tasty sandwich selection
El Sitio: You can’t spend only one day in Santa Barbara without trying some authentic Mexican food! Grab some street tacos or my favorite: Special #14 Adobado Mixto from my favorite little hole-in-the-wall!
Satellite SB: Farmer-to-table food and wine bar with vegan and vegetarian options
Hana Kitchen: Quick asian bowls and tacos with vegetarian and vegan options
For all the gluten free options, click here!

My Favorite Santa Barbara Museums

1:00pm – 3:00pm

After lunch, give your legs a rest and turn on your brain! These museums are unique to the Santa Barbara area and will give you a good sense of Santa Barbara’s natural and cultural history. Even us locals find ourselves exploring these local museums again and again! They are a perfect addition to a Santa Barbara day trip and I personally learn something new every time I go. Plus, they are all close to each other and your other activities for the day! Pick one that suits your interests and enjoy a chill afternoon before your next active adventure: sunset kayaking!

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden: This native plant garden is a nice immersion into California’s diverse ecosystems and provides a nice shady outdoor activity for the hotter days. A short walk through a native pollinator garden will even lead you to a panoramic view of Santa Barbara and the Channel Islands.
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History: Giant blue whale skeleton, 10,000 years of Chumash history, endemic species from the Channel Islands, moving dinosaurs, and more!
Old Mission Santa Barbara 1786: A still-practicing remnant of the historic Spanish mission system.
Santa Barbara Maritime Museum: An in-depth look into Santa Barbara’s historical connection with the ocean environment.

Sunset Kayak Tour

2 Hours Before Sunset – Sunset (about 3:00pm – 7:00pm)

Santa Barbara locals know that the very best local kayaking is in Channel Islands National Park (I have a different guide for that), but it’s hard to beat a peaceful sunset kayak with the glow of the setting sun illuminating the Santa Ynez Mountains on one side and the silhouette of the Channel Islands on the horizon.

I recommend spending your evening on the water with Santa Barbara Adventure Company. Their guided sunset tours are the perfect way to catch the last bit of light over the harbor and Santa Barbara coastline. Due to the nature of a sunset tour, the start times vary throughout the year, so prepare to show up at Santa Barbara Harbor two hours prior to sunset and be on the water for approximately two hours.

Book a tour here!

Dinner at Stearns Wharf

Dinner Time Varies Based on Time of Year/Time of Sunset Kayak Tour**

Even though you’ve only had one day in Santa Barbara, you’ve managed to explore the mountains to the coast. Now it’s time to take a dive underwater by enjoying some of the area’s locally-sourced seafood! Take a walk down Stearns Wharf for a bite at Santa Barbara Shellfish Company. Try local uni, fried clams, oyster shooters, or steamed mussels before you hit the town for your last adventure of the day.

**Local Tip: During the winter, when sunset is earlier, plan to eat dinner after your kayak tour. During the summer when sunset is later, consider eating prior to your kayak tour.

The Funk Zone

7:00pm – 9:00pm

Whether you spend one week or one day in Santa Barbara, you have to check out the Funk Zone— an eclectic industrial district featuring local wineries, craft breweries, and artsy boutiques! Wind down from your long day with a glass of local beer or wine (or multiple) at one of the 16 wine tasting rooms, or handful of breweries all within this 13-block neighborhood.

After dinner or your kayak tour, plan to head right over because most tasting rooms close between 7pm and 9pm. I like to begin at J. Wilkes tasting room where you can enjoy tastings of local wines and chocolates only one block from the Wharf. However, J. Wilkes (like many local wineries) closes at 7pm, so if you finish the days activities after that, I’d recommend Paradise Springs Winery (open until 9pm) or La Lieff Winery (open until 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays). For breweries, I’d recommend Validation Ale, Brass Bear Brewing and Bistro, or Lama Dog Tap Room.