The SB Post

Last Minute Labor Day Ideas

Still undecided about how you're going to spend the Labor Day holiday weekend? Well, you're not alone. Most Americans are leaving travel plans to the last minute these days. It's a buyer's market so why not hold out for those steals and deals?!

Spur of the Moment, our summer travel planning tool that was created precisely with this in mind, will be sunsetting next week. That's the first place you should go to find the best available hotel rates in Santa Barbara for Labor Day weekend.  While you're there, be sure to jot down or print out the 2-for-1 activity offers posted so you can take advantage of these fleeting savings.

Okay, so you've got your hotel booked. Now you need to decide how you're going to spend your time here. Santa Barbara is a go-with-the-flow kind of place so you don't want to over plan. However, it's always helpful to have a short list of things to see and do -- and of course, where to eat.  And drink, if wine or microbrews are on your agenda.

The Urban Wine Trail is a slam dunk, guaranteed good time. There are 11 tasting rooms to choose from and they are very close to downtown and waterfront attractions so you can easily insert a tasting or two into your itinerary. (Click here to read an older post that gives the flavor of the UWT.)

If beer perks your palate more so than wine, you're in luck. Telegraph Brewing Company has a cool tasting room next door to Carr Winery in the SoCo neighborhood. And the beer is delicious. You can eat well and get your sip on at The Brew House and Santa Barbara Brewing Co. Both are full service restaurants and pour their own beers, along with brews from around the world.

Eating local is just as accessible as drinking local here. Book a Market Forays culinary tour and cooking class with the ultimate Slow Foodie, Laurence Hauben. She'll introduce you to local fishermen and farmers and share an abundance of tips on how to select the best produce and prepare scrumptious, wholesome meals.

I'm not sure what the weather gods have in store for the holiday weekend, but sun and warm temperatures are typically on the menu. So you're going to want to spend as much time outdoors as possible.

The beach is a no-brainer, and won't put a dent in your budget. If you want to be on the water, head out on a whale watching cruise with the Condor Express. Or a sunset sail with Sunset Kidd. You can learn to sail for yourself with Santa Barbara Sailing Center, or leave the pros at the helm and charter a boat for a day. Paddle surfing and kayak rentals are also easy to come by down at the Harbor and SEA Landing area.

State Street is going to be the ultimate spot for people watching. And can meet your shopping, dining and gallery-going needs!

Those are just a few ideas to keep in mind. We invite you to share your adventures and suggestions with us and your fellow Santa Barbara fans on Facebook. We'd love to hear how you spent your Labor Day weekend in Santa B!