The Ultimate 3-Day Santa Barbara Itinerary wouldn’t be complete without exploring the fantastic food and beverage scene. My favorite thing about this area is their focus on supporting local purveyors. I highlighted our favorite dishes from each restaurant in blue! Sometimes they may even include the specific ones on their menu. Of course we couldn’t just eat and drink, so I found some low key activities to do in the area as well. I love how easy it is to drive up to the area from Los Angeles!

The Ultimate 3-Day Santa Barbara Itinerary – Day 1

To Stay

We stayed in East Mesa and really enjoyed it. It’s quiet, near the beach and almost everything is within 45 minute walking distance or less, aside from the places in Montecito. Our place was very chic, roomy and had a wonderful balcony with a view.

Eat & Drink

Finch & Fork

On our first day in town, we headed straight for lunch at Finch & Fork, the restaurant located within the Canary Kimpton property. Their menu features a delicious range of New American dishes, all crafted with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The vibe was just right, blending cozy and chic to create a warm and inviting space that still felt stylish and polished.

Old Fashioned | Marigold + Stone botanist gin, yuzu liqueur, luxardo maraschino, lemon, cava

F&F Deviled Eggs pickled shallots, cajun maple pork belly & chives | Black Garlic Caesar little gem lettuce, parmigiano-reggiano & brioche croutons | Pimento Burger pimento cheese, iceberg lettuce, dill pickles, bacon jam, f+f sauce, brioche bun & mixed greens | Fried Chicken Sandwich pickled fennel slaw, gochujong aili, dill pickles, brioche bun & mixed greens | Churros

I love that they have themed nights – we are definitely eyeing the Fried Chicken Tuesdays & Old Fashioned Fridays for our next visit to the area!

La Paloma Cafe

La Paloma Cafe is a cozy neighborhood gem with a special twist. Their scratch-made dishes, inspired by California’s rich ranchero heritage, feature fresh ingredients and oak-grilled meats that truly stand out. Whether dining indoors or outdoors, the ambiance is warm and inviting. We enjoyed our meal on a charming, elevated section of the patio, but there’s plenty of additional outdoor space for a relaxed and comfortable dining experience no matter your group size!

La Paloma tequila, atost, grapefruit cordial, fever tree grapefruit | Mezcalita mezcal, agave, local orange fruit liquer & lime

Ranchero Salad little gem lettuce, scallion ranch, bacon, tomato preserve, gorgonzola & smoked squash seeds | Crispy Brussels charred oak soy porcini sauce, pickled red onion & smoked cotija | Snake River Farm Wagyu Tri-tip slow cooked bbq beans, santa maria salsa & horseradish crema | Local Yellowtail summer succotash, bacon buerre blanc & california pistachio pesto | Chopped Cabbage Cilantro Slaw pickled onion & chipotle dressing

Brucato Amaro Chapparal & Woodlands

Loquita

Loquita brings a taste of Spain to life with hot and cold tapas, wood-fired seafood and meats, seasonal paellas, and more. Thanks to Santa Barbara’s Mediterranean climate, locally sourced produce shines in every dish. The wine list features mainly Spanish selections, along with some local options that pair perfectly. Don’t miss the cocktail menu, especially if you love Spanish vermouths or Sangria! We sampled a variety of handcrafted cocktails, including the classic Spanish Gin Tonic.

Una Vez Mas puebla mezcal, laphroaig, bianco bitter, amontillado & blanco vermut | El Facil tequila, mezcal, cilantro, elderflower & habanero | Palomita blanco tequila, bonanto aperitivo, grapefruit & lime | Maravilloso bloom gin, aromatic tonic, apricot rosemary foam

Crudo ahi tuna, passionfruit escabeche, parsley aioli, california mandarin

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We stopped into a Good Will nearby Finch and Fork then drove over to Give to Pets SB (there is also a Goleto location). We walked the area and popped into Folio Press & Paperie.

The Ultimate 3-Day Santa Barbara Itinerary – Day 2

Eat & Drink

Bettina

You’ve probably heard of Roberta’s Pizzeria! Well Rachel and Brendan, the duo behind Bettina, first connected over their love of carbs while Brendan was head baker at Roberta’s Pizzeria in Brooklyn. They eventually moved to California, bringing their passion for pizza and naturally leavened breads to Santa Barbara. They use organic, sustainably-milled flour for their pizza and bread doughs. Continuing their focus on sustainability, they spend their days sourcing the freshest ingredients from local farmers markets and hand-pulling mozzarella, committed to creating simple, honest food that’s easy to love.

Topa Topa Brewing Co. Chief Peak | Amaro Compagno rye whiskey, macchia vermouth, cypar, limoncello

Whipped House Ricotta Tempesta mortadella, SB pistachios & homemade sourdough cracker | Root’s Baby Gems pickled onion, goat cheddar & ranch | Pepperoni mozzarella, crushed tomato, basil, chili oil, & Wylde Works wildflower honey | Regier Peach mozzarella, Central Coast Creamery gouda, blistered poblanos & bouse orange salt

Sushi by Scratch

This spot, led by chefs Phillip Frankland Lee and Margarita Kallas-Lee, offers an omakase experience like no other. The 17 courses aren’t just masterfully crafted right in front of you, but also elevated with unique twists — think uni fried with bone marrow. You can choose to add a drink or sake pairing, we opted for the sake and it was phenomenal. There are actually 10 locations across the US now and they all stay consistent with the intimate counter with just ten seats, creating a personalized and unforgettable dining experience.

I won’t detail all of the courses because that would be impossible, but I Included a picture of our menu (of course not detailing all of the ingredients for each). It seemed like each and every bite just kept getting better. It’s definitely a higher end meal, but we honestly found it well worth the price tag.

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Tour Lotusland

Lotusland, a 37-acre botanical garden in Montecito, is a captivating blend of nature and history. Created by the eccentric Madame Ganna Walska, it features over 3,000 plant species, many rare or endangered. Highlights include the serene Japanese Garden, tropical water lilies, and the Mediterranean Garden. Madame Walska’s adventurous spirit is woven throughout, from her unique plant collections to her Theater Garden. Lotusland is a magical journey through nature and imagination, and we were lucky to explore it with our wonderful guide, Valerie! Be sure to book your visit ahead of time because they only let in a limited number of people per year!

Walk to Leadbetter Beach from East Mesa

This beach is about a 10 – 15 walk from the place we stayed! I wouldn’t say it’s a destination you have to come to if you’re staying in another area of Santa Barbara, but it was perfect for an afternoon spent at the beach. Butterfly Beach in Montecito is on our list for our next visit!

The Ultimate 3-Day Santa Barbara Itinerary – Day 3

Eat & Drink

Third Window Brewing

Third Window Brewing celebrates Belgian tradition with beers crafted from foraged ingredients in Santa Barbara. “Our aim is to unearth terroir in beer. We are inspired by our surroundings…dedicated to the cultivation of local ingredients, our community, and each other.”

The beers were delicious and we also tried their Saturday food offerings!

Imperial IPA & The Next (hazy IPA)

Daily: Smash Wagyu cheeseburgers | Mondays: Oak-fired sourdough pizzas | Saturdays: Texas-style BBQ

The beans were unexpectedly the highlight of the food that we tried!

Test Pilot

This tropical island inspired cocktail bar is located in the Funk Zone, just a couple of blocks from the ocean. They specialize in exotic tiki cocktails, but if you’re into other classic cocktails, no worries they are experts at all things cocktails!

House Old Fashioned real mccoy 5yr rum, house bitters blend & demerara | Kentiki Kentucky bourbon, navel orange, madagascar vanilla, lemon, citrus bitter & nutmeg | Amaro Manhattan (off menu) | The Buccaneer bourbon, coconut, rooibos, passion fruit, citrus, cacao

The Lark

Another gem nestled in the Funk Zone, bringing the best of the Central Coast to the table with bold, seasonal dishes inspired by the area’s local bounty. Whether you dine inside or out on their spacious patio, you’ll notice the cozy balance between urban and vintage touches. Don’t forget to browse their cocktail and wine offerings, you’ll no doubt find what you’re in the mood for!

Colori Wines Sangiovese & Sanguis Winery Grenache Blend

West Coast Oysters with watermelon granita, lime & shiso | Blue Fin Tuna Crudo coconut lime leaf emulsion, Japanese cucumber & passion fruit aguachile | Charentais Melons Persian cucumber, sheep’s milk feta, lime, jalapeño & cilantro | Butter Leaf Lettuce Salad Regier Family Farms peaches, hazelnuts, dry jack cheese & stone fruit vinaigrette

Fried Chicken bread and butter pickles, Anson Mills grits, chile de arbol honey & scallions | Brown Butter Cornbread wildflower honey, rosemary

Grilled Regier Family Farms peaches pecan streusel, Rori’s Creamery sweet corn ice cream, salted caramel & basil

Cocktails: Serpent’s Tooth & The Thoroughbread

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Did you know state street is now closed off to cards? Take advantage and enjoy a stroll down State Street and pop into some stores. We went into SB Urban Flea Market.

Back in the Funk Zone, just across from Test Pilot, The Blue Door is worth a trip.

Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

Founded in 1916 as the Museum of Comparative Oology (the study or collecting of birds’ eggs), the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History now houses over 3.5 million specimens across all areas of natural history, from mammals and marine life to geology and paleontology. Renovated in 2018, it now features interactive exhibits for all ages, the Central Coast’s only planetarium, and sits on 17 acres of oak woodland along Mission Creek.

We initially went to the museum for the Butterflies Alive exhibit which runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day yearly! This wonderful immersive exhibit features a beautiful variety of more than two dozen tropical butterfly species from Costa Rica. You get to walk through a beautiful garden while around 1,000 live butterflies flutter freely around. I am so happy we were able to experience this!

The museum is definitely worth a visit, even when the butterfly exhibit isn’t on. You can dive into the region’s natural history indoors, then step outside to explore nature in the Museum Backyard. It’s a fantastic spot for kids! “The Museum’s programs aim to inspire a love for nature and learning in all ages.”

The Ultimate 3-Day Santa Barbara Itinerary – Travel Day

Eat & drink

Helena Avenue Bakery

This homestyle artisan bakery offers rustic breads, handmade pastries, and gourmet breakfast and lunch. Everything is made with top-quality ingredients from the Central Coast. We dined in, but this spot is also a great option for takeaway if you’re heading to the beach, or a local winery. FYI: They share a space with the Santa Barbara Wine Collective. I still need to check that out!

Passionfruit Poppyseed Muffin | Gigante Bean Salad sungold tomatoes, sweet peppers, castelvetrano olives & sheep feta +avocado | Southern Fried Chicken on Brioche (hot or mild) honey butter, black pepper bacon & jalapeño jam | Griddled Sausage Biscuit Sandwich maple fennel sausage, vermont aged cheddar, over easy farm egg & stone fruit lemon verbena jam

I have really grown to love Santa Barbara and am excited to be planning another trip up this month, so stay tuned for more recommendations coming soon!

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