24 Ways to Achieve Wellness in 2024

With each new year comes new ambitions. For many, this involves traveling to unfamiliar (or familiar) places, embracing ways to lead a holistic lifestyle and even trying out new hobbies. That’s where Santa Barbara comes in. In our coastal paradise, you can do all three. Read on for 24 ways to achieve wellness on your next vacation to The American Riviera®.

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1. Take a stroll through Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

A visit to Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is like taking a walk throughout nearly the entire state of California. With 11 unique ecosystems across five miles of walking trails, this is certainly the place to stop and smell the roses (and the wild irises, and the manzanitas, and the island mallows). Take your wellness routine up a notch with one of Santa Barbara Botanic Garden’s monthly bird walks or tranquil outdoor yoga classes.

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2. Rejuvenate your senses at Salt Cave Santa Barbara

Relax and recharge inside the crystal salt cave at Salt Cave Santa Barbara, the largest underground salt cave in North America. The healing properties of the minerals are said to improve your body’s overall health and function. Its unique cave massage offerings and zero-gravity lounge chairs will have you feeling rejuvenated.

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3. Find your zen with Santa Barbara Beach Yoga

Outdoor yoga reaches an entirely new level when practicing on a beach overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Santa Barbara Beach Yoga’s “yoga headphones” and beginner-friendly classes will ease anyone into a state of pure beachside bliss. Santa Barbara Beach Yoga also offers yoga classes each month under the light of the full moon, accompanied by the relaxing elements of a sound bath.

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7. Discover your paradise at Paradise Found

Get the full mind-and-body experience as soon as you step foot into Paradise Found, where you’ll find crystals, tarot decks, candles and other mementos to help you better connect with yourself. Plan your trip in advance and book an intuitive reading to receive additional guidance as you make your way through 2023.  For more retail shops specializing in wellness in Santa Barbara, see here.

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8. Lounge by the pool

With so many unique, luxury and affordable hotels in Santa Barbara come plenty of fabulous pools to dip into. If you’re looking to explore another property, many local hotels and resorts offer one-day pool passes for purchase for non-overnight guests. Just check out these 12 amazing hotel pools in Santa Barbara for inspiration.

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9. Embark on a free walking tour

The benefits of walking can profoundly impact your mental and physical health, and a walking tour in Santa Barbara is an excellent way to explore the city. Since 2017, Free Santa Barbara Walking Tours has hosted themed tours ranging from tours of the waterfront, the historic Brinkerhoff Victorian district and local architect Jeff Shelton’s buildings located throughout downtown Santa Barbara.

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10. Set sail with SunSwept Sailing

There’s no better way to recharge your battery than a relaxing sail with SunSwept Sailing. Hop aboard Kelpie, a 35-foot sailing yacht, and take in the epic views of the Santa Barbara coastline. Offering private, customizable excursions for up to six passengers, this intimate setting on the water is a unique way to experience the tranquility of Santa Barbara’s waters.

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13. Take a leisurely walk through Ellwood Mesa

Nature walks with views that will give you a fresh perspective are a must in 2023. Visit Goleta’s Ellwood Mesa during butterfly season (November through February) to witness the beautiful Monarch Butterfly migration within the area’s prime viewing spot, Monarch Butterfly Grove. Any other time of year, take the walking trail to the cliffside for optimal ocean views.

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15. Fish off Stearns Wharf

Sitting back and soaking in the views (and reaping the reward of a fish or two at the end of the line) off Stearns Wharf is perhaps one of the most underrated activities in the Santa Barbara South Coast. Cast off and bask in simplicity this year.

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17. Wine and dine at Satellite

Fresh, local ingredients and wonderfully distinct flavors grace the plates at the all-vegetarian eatery, Satellite. Let’s raise a glass to (and of) all-natural wine from all corners of the planet while you’re there. For more healthy eats in Santa Barbara, see here.

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21. Visit a local dispensary

Santa Barbara has quite a few high-end dispensaries to choose from, such as Beyond Hello and Farmacy, with each one resembling a visit to an Apple store more than the next. Cannabis consumers and newbies alike can shop products ranging from pre-rolls and gummies to canned beverages and tinctures, allowing you to achieve wellness on an entirely different level.

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22. Walk the iconic Santa Barbara coastline

Start at Shoreline Park in the Mesa neighborhood of Santa Barbara, where you’re situated above sea level overlooking the vast Pacific. Follow the path towards the beach and walk along the famous Cabrillo Boulevard bike path and you’ll find yourself on the far end of East Beach by the volleyball courts, where the long stretches of sand and sea await. For more beach-going inspiration, see these other can’t-miss beaches in Santa Barbara.

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labyrinth trail at uc santa barbara campus

23. Engage in peaceful meditation along the Labyrinth Trail

The Labyrinth Trail makes for a peaceful excursion of the beaten path of the normally bustling University of California, Santa Barbara campus, with serene views to round out your meditative visit.

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blue hued room with people laying face up during a sound bath session

24. Reset with a unique sound bath experience

Explore diverse sound bath experiences offered throughout Santa Barbara, ranging from tranquil sessions by the beach with Santa Barbara Beach Yoga, where the music harmonizes with the ocean’s rhythm; distinctive sound baths aboard sailing yacht Kelpie, where the calming sea environment enriches the relaxing soundscapes; or a private session amidst the lush grounds of The Sacred Space.

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