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Perfect Day in Santa Barbara
Only have a day to explore the best of Santa Barbara? This full-day itinerary with Santa Barbara's most popular activities will help you make the most of your time. And next trip, plan to stay for a spell!
- Wake up early and walk along the waterfront. The awesome views will inspire you to get out and explore!
- After breakfast, head downtown and follow the historic Red Tile Walking Tour - don't forget to download the podcast guide from our website, and be sure to snap photos of all those red tile roofs from the Courthouse tower.
- Head up to Mission Santa Barbara for a dose of Spanish-era history and culture. Relax in the Rose Garden across the street and take in the gorgeous island, ocean and mountain views.
- Break for tacos al pastor at La Super-Rica Taqueria, or an oak-grilled burger at the Paradise Cafe.
- Hit the beach! Surf, kayak, build a few castles-or just snooze on the sand and revel in the warm glow of the Santa Barbara sun. Stroll to the end of Stearns Wharf and indulge in an ice-cream cone along the way. Or sate your appetite for culture at the Museum of Art, where big-city art fills the galleries-think Picasso, Kandinsky, Chagall, a 2,000-year-old marble Landsdowne Hermes and a whole lot more.
- Trek to a few tasting rooms on the Urban Wine Trail and pick up a bottle of pinot noir or chardonnay. Stop in at C'est Cheese to choose, say, a creamy wedge of Camembert, and pop in Our Daily Bread for a fresh-from-the-oven loaf. Then find a perch on an ocean bluff and watch the sun slip into the sea.
- Time for dinner. This is where you can really go wild. What will it be? Spiny lobster or local halibut? Sushi? Organic steak from a local ranch, 'cued over an oak grill? Let your palate pick this one!
- Watch a show at one of our fantastic theaters. Again, the sky's the limit. A musical at The Granada. Or maybe a rock concert at the Bowl. Then rest and reflect on your perfect day, and dream about more to come!
Author: Maryann Hammers
