Santa Barbara is another popular coastal Californian town, a must see place during the California coastal road trip. It’s about white arches. Small arches, large Every time I visit Santa Barbara, I find something new and special about this town that I have never seen in the past. It was another girlfriends day together, so we had no particular plans, but this trip was one of my best trips to Santa Barbara. Here is how to spend 8 hours in Santa Barbara for first time visitors.
You can easily spend a week exploring museums and learning about the history of the town. If you are visiting the town first time and limited to just one day, I suggest to see one small museum such as Casa de la Guerra and spend the rest of your time exploring the city center, boardwalk and the Santa Barbara mission.
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How to spend 8 hours in Santa Barbara for first time visitors
Visit Casa de la Guerra
Start your day from visiting one of the oldest historical buildings in the city, Casa de La Gruera to learn about Guerra’s family and history of the city. Constructed in the first quarter of 19th century, the building was a residence of José de la Guerra, the fifth comandante of the Presidio. It was used for variety of public events and gatherings. The building survived the earthquake and was a model for downtown area restoration.
Stop by El Paseo Courtyard
A beautiful colonial style courtyard with tall trees and fountain in the middle. We stopped there for a minute to look at typical white arches, take pictures of flags and headed to the State street.
Lunch at the Palace grill.
We stopped for lunch at Palace grill and we both loved it. I ordered Bayou Etouffee, a classic Louisiana dish of tender craw fish tails with bell peppers and onions, in a seafood stock. Great restaurant with great food, service, great wine… and great restroom decorative tiles.. Here’s couple of tiles. Aren’t those great
Santa Barbara Pier and boardwalk
We headed to the beach to see the iconic palm trees line and enjoy winter sunshine. There is something special about going to the beach in December. I love gentle California winter sun, fewer people on the beach and totally relaxed atmosphere. We walked along the pier, took couple of “under-the-bridge-must-take” pictures and headed to the State Street.
Stop by Lucky Penny Pizza
Want to see something unique in Santa Barbara? Stop by Lucky penny pizza. It’s a super cool building complexly covered by pennies. We did not eat there unfortunately, but there is always next time. The pizzeria has great reviews, so it totally worth trying.
Walk the State Street
With white buildings, arches and tile roofs, the city has its own unique charm that you always recognize on pictures and paintings. Every time I visit the city I see something new. This time it was a peacock stained glass on one of the State street buildings front doors.
We stop by to take a picture of the red piano hanging outside of The Red Piano, bar with great quality drinks, a real red piano and live music.
State street is full of small boutiques, restaurants and coffee shops. If you are in town just for couple of hours, that is the place to spend time. We stopped by old town street clock and headed to Santa Barabara mission.
Santa Barbara Mission
Santa Barbara Mission is one of 21 California Missions. The original Santa Barbara mission built at the end of 18th was destroyed by the earthquake in 1812. The Mission was completely rebuilt in 1846 and went through major renovation in the beginning of the last century. Unlike other Californian missions, Santa Barbara Mission has two bell towers. The mission look super photogenic especially during the golden hour. We walked around the area, took couple of pictures and headed out to see the sunset from the Courthouse.
Old trees.
Santa Barbara trees are amazing. I took tons of old huge trees pictures as we were walking to the Courthouse from the parking area.
Sunset at Santa Barbara Courthouse
We made it to the top of the Bell tower just in time for sunset and the view did not disappoint. The panoramic view of Santa Barbara with tile roof, ocean and Santa Ynez mountains on the back is amazing. The iconic view of the palm trees at Santa Barbara coastline during the golden never gets old, but Santa Barbara Courthouse is my new favorite place to see sunset in Santa Barbara.
The Bell tower closes around 4.45 pm, so you can see sunset from the bell tower only in winter, mid December to beginning of January, thanks to the time change. With the small details, sculptures, fountains, spiral staircases and paintings, the courthouse building is one of my favorite places in the city.
Late evening coffee at Dune Coffee Roasters.
Espresso in the evening? Yes, please! I got my traditional double espresso at Dune Coffee Roasters, spent some time relaxing near the window and people watching there before getting back to the car and driving home.
Visit La Arcada Plaza
On the way back to the car by I stopped by La Arcada plaza, another must-see place in the city. It is a small charming plaza located just off the main street with a lot of boutiques and restaurants. Till next time, Santa Barbara!
