Though its heyday as a freight port is largely a thing of the past, the area on State Street has recently been converted into a hip dining and shopping attraction that includes more than a dozen individual businesses. Maybe trail cycling is allowed but I haven't experienced any cyclists trying to run me off the path, which occurrence can be more than simply worrisome in other nature reserves. Yes, yes, yes! They have also added QR codes that make it really nice to be able to here an audio tour. The 17-mile drive is a road that weaves through Pebble Beach from Monterey to Carmel (or vice-versa). Would definitely go again! I don't think I would spend a lot of time here, but it's worth an hour or so. The sweeping panorama across this relative newcomer's vineyard to the surrounding hills and ocean is arguably the best in the region, and adding to the enjoyment is the chic outdoor seating area and highly praised Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. We saw the whole Zoo in less than 2hrs. We will take two days, spending one night. Walk around the courthouse complex to see the signature white walls and red-tiled roofs from all angles. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates. For an unforgettable birds-eye look at the city, climb to the top of the clock tower at the Santa Barbara Courthouse. Just stop for a few minutes. My wife and I stopped in and both did a tasting, then bought a bottle to-go. This market is pretty large with hundreds of people. Beautiful setting! Embodying beauty, rustic charm, tourism, and a feel of the ocean, Stearns Wharf is Santa Barbaras number one tourist attraction. This is the perfect pit stop for getting out to enjoy the sun and natural beauty on your way to San Luis Obispo. Its also just an alley, so its also one of SLOs free things to do, as well as being among its most-discussed. Take a drive down scenic Mission Canyon Road until you reach the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. Although civic court functions are still part of daily life in this bustling structure, there are two sights you absolutely cannot miss: the Mural Room and the El Mirador clock tower. The wharf is also home to a bustling fish market, a maritime museum, and some of the best seafood restaurants in the area. There are picnic tables under the shade trees for a nice lunch. I have been coming here since I was younger and it has changed in many ways. Source: Santa Barbara Maritime Museum. I cant recommend it enough! The unique tastes of fizz, acid, and citrus made my tongue euphoric. The drive from Monterey to Santa Barbara is 250 miles (403 km). Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates. This iconic winery is a must-visit offering wine by the glass, a scenic picnic deck that overlooks Paso Robles, bocce ball court, cornhole, complimentary tastings, spectacular cave tours, and most importantly, love four-legged visitors! Great campground. At the bottom of State Street, in downtown Santa Barbara, Stearns Wharf offers breathtaking views of the harbor and beaches, backed by the Santa Ynez Mountains. This aviation museum at the Paso Robles Municipal Airport features restored military aircraft and vehicles. It's known for its Danish-style architecture and many wineries. owners Kate and Norm are to bubbly; Why would anyone travel from the east coast to California and make SLO farmers market a priority stop? Part of the garden is designated as Santa Barbara County Historic Landmark, and also offers guided tours. I especially enjoyed the Rouge blend and the Cabernet (of course). Docent lead tours are very informative. And to me that is OUTSTANDING customer service, which is why I not only bought a bottle of their delicious Brut Ros for my girlfriend but, I joined their Wine Club. They are back & FANTASTIC! Will definitely be coming back! WOW! Never dig through your emails again access all your flights, lodging, and any reservations in 1 place. Tons of food and options. The grounds also contain several beautiful gardens. Stearns Wharf is one of Santa Barbaras most popular tourist attractions offering family fun for all ages. How about fresh produce? Keep the pooches on the pavement at all times. Where State Street ends, Stearns Wharf begins, shooting out into the harbor as a popular hangout for people craving fresh seafood, scenic views, or want to splurge on their last day before leaving Santa Barbara. Frolic through the meadows and trek through the woodlands to encounter native California plants, themed gardens, and picturesque views of nature. The direct drive from San Francisco to Santa Barbara is 337 mi (543 km), and should have a drive time of 5 hrs 37 mins in normal traffic.. There are 21 Spanish Missions in the state of California and let me tell you, the Santa Barbara Mission TAKES THE CAKE!. The experience was so very relaxing and cozy. The sites are nice some were pretty muddy after the big storms. Staffers work amazingly hard to keep this place so singularly beautiful and a joy to come to. WOW!!!! The top stops along the way from Monterey to Santa Barbara (with short detours) are Superior Court Of California County Of Santa Barbara, Pismo Beach Pier, and State St. Other popular stops include Tobin James Cellars, Old Mission Santa Barbara 1786, and Old Mission Santa Ines 1804. for its fruit-driven diversity. Since admiring beautiful architecture is one of the best things to do in Santa Barbara, the Santa Barbara County Courthouse is one building that you dont want to miss. Also, the outdoor Stations of the Cross allow you to reflect on our Lord's Passion. I will definitely be choosing Presqu'ile again. If you walk down the alley you will definitely smell different flavors of bubblegum. from blanc de blancs to cremant every time. Magnificent place in Santa Barbara, got to spent the evening here watching the mesmerizing sunset with the backdrop of the palm trees. Highly recommend coming here while in Paso Robles! As you make it to Stearns Wharf head to Deep Sea Tasting Room, a wine tasting room serving Santa Barbara grown grapes. Music would be nice!! No trip to San Luis Obispo is complete without a stay at the Madonna Inn. Thanks again. 21. r/roadtrip. Such a beautiful place to spend the day. For someone like me who is completely oblivious to plays or musicals, this was still highly entertaining. So much to see here. 751 Palm St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, USA. You could check out Eberle Winery and Sculpterra Winery, or the always popular Estrella Warbird Museum! Long palm-lined downtown boulevard joining the oceanfront with local shops, a theater & restaurants. While in downtown Santa Barbara, walk up State Street and visit the Santa Barbara Courthouse. The Story: Eberle Winery is one of the OG wineries in Paso Robles and a family-owned producer of single varieties since 1979. It was very windy and cold, would like to try again this summer. The staff is really friendly and are happy to answer your questions. 22 minutes off the main route, 50% of way to Santa Barbara. Big Sur is a rugged stretch of Californias central coast between Carmel and San Simeon. stay for about 1 hour. I witnessed him whisper to her as he pointed at me and my husband. Also added the charcuterie plate, which Id prefer to see some changes; maybe more olives and the menu said there were figs on the board, but didnt get any. Huge parking lot on the side. This distinctive edifice was built in the iconic Spanish-Colonial style that is popular throughout the city, and the red-tiled roof, four-faced clock tower, and colorful gardens all make the courthouse one of the best free things to do in Santa Barbara. 22 minutes off the main route, 14% of way to Santa Barbara. They produce reasonably priced wines with an even more generous military and veterans discount. The priest will make sure of it. Take a nice walk around the grounds then go get some yummy Dutch treats in town. Very dog-friendly! Take a visit, you will not be disappointed. A somewhat hidden gem of a county park off the beaten path. WOW! This wharf was built in 1872 and is the oldest working wood wharf in California. It's not crazy crowded like San Juan Capistrano, for example. This is a great place to stroll, eat, shop and see the sights. Be it a family gathering, date night, curiosity or whatever the reason may be, definitely a good place to visit. If you're planning a trip to beautiful Santa Barbara you have to visit this gorgeous building. Great atmosphere. The property also has a walking path that takes you over the small creek and into a shaded area preserved to allow visitors to experience the areas native look. The mission dates back to 1786, but the Catholic Church, with its majestic double-bell facade, was built in 1820 and is still the most visited mission in California. The membership is well worth it and isn't very much considering what you get with it. 2. The gardens are beautiful We set up our entire trip to the west coast to make sure we were in San Luis Obispo for the Thursday evening farmers market!! The quickest of the two follows the stunning coast and covers a distance of 300 miles. How long is the drive from San Francisco to Santa Barbara?. One of the first, if not the first wineries & vineyards in this area. There are a couple short bus rides where you need to wear a mask. The top cities between Monterey and Santa Barbara are Paso Robles, Big Sur, San Luis Obispo, Cambria, Solvang, Pismo Beach, and Morro Bay. Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. 400 miles. Its a very nice and huge complex with animals and all. Eberle, meaning small boar in German, was established in 1984 and features a modern production facility, tasting room, and vast underground wine caves. 2:20 pm arrive in Santa Barbara. $$ but nice time worthy of taking away a bottle of cab franc. Our neighbor stated she would take her dog to Solvang for morning walks. The grounds are simply beautiful and serene. Both parts of the property are awesome. Storied wooden wharf offering restaurants, varied shops, a small aquarium & water views. More than 5.5 miles of paths wind their way through the pine-scented woodland. But, the kids thought it was cool, and the best part is the first 90 minutes of parking on the wharf is free, so why not?! Educational. One of the most famous Catholic monuments in the state, Santa Barbaras Old Mission is one of the longest continuously operating missions in California. Seriously, this app does it all! Approximate Driving Time (no stops): About 2 hours. Don't rush through - take your time and absorb the beauty of this Mission. One-of-a-kind experience that I imagine is the perfect place to start in Paso. You can park on the pier, but you have to pay for it after a certain amount of time. Gross place. This Spanish-Colonial style courthouse finished construction in 1929. On your way out of Monterey, check out Point Lobos for some hiking trails with sea cliff views. Sitting on a hillside against the backdrop of the Santa Ynez Mountains, the captivating beauty of the Old Mission Santa Barbara makes it the Queen of the Missions. Walk across the grassy lawn as you approach the building faade, flanked by two pink-domed bell towers offering an enchanting view. Host Kate has a love for the community that shows in her hospitality. It is one of the 21 Spanish California Missions, and is one of the most beautiful to see. What a wonderful experience. And of course, the wine was wonderful. It depends on when you visit! My wife and I had a wonderful experience. This loop through Central California offers a delightful sampler of the best of the Golden State: dramatic coastline, charming towns, captivating history and, of course, plenty of wine. Its definitely the perfect size to get a toddler tired. From there, take HWY 101 N to Santa Barbara. Serene stretch of coast & picnicking spot with a snug, basic campground & scenic views. I know like that seems like an exaggeration, but I'm not joking. (2) Disc Golf course was a mixture of dirt, dry grass, and back trailsnot inviting in the least & scenery was dismal. It is still a functioning courthouse and an iconic landmark of Santa Barbara due to its distinctive red tile roof, four-faced clock tower, verdant grounds and sunken gardens, and elegant arches. The grounds are beautiful. All mission Santa Barbara is a place that should not be missed if you're visiting Santa barbara. Such a stunning place with gorgeous architecture. They have an indoor car museum that is no touching but there is one little car to climb in there too. The present church was constructed in 1820, with three different churches being present before that. The live music and food truck and added bonus. and leave at 5:55 pm. eat at Fresco Valley Caf. A lot of fun and everything seems very thorough as far as safety precautions. Its great for beautiful ocean views and you can grab dinner here at one of their many seafood restaurants. It's weird and unique like my family. The food is amazing. I have a USA GPS and I just updated the maps and I'm cross referencing google maps. This route will take 6 hours and 10 minutes, not allowing for any . We appeared on a Thursday. We wasted no time leaving. And they give big military discounts. Loved it. The famous Stearns Wharf is a vital attraction in Santa Barbara. Mission Santa Barbara, Widely referred to as the "Queen of Missions," this is one of the most beautiful and frequently photographed buildings in coastal California. The closest day trip to Santa Barbara is the small town of Carpenteria just 15 minutes to the south. Morro Bay is known for (drum roll) a huge rock and 3 smokestacks (and cute otters). Every wine we tasted was delicious. The service was excellent. Cant wait!! The mission is situated on 2000 acres and has ~ 25 miles of hiking trails, besides all of the restored buildings with very informative historical displays of what life was like on the mission. I love how people put colored lights up to brighten these winter nights. You can sit and enjoy a meal or a drink. Cruising up the Pacific Coast Highway along one of the most stunning stretches of natural scenery in the entirety of the United States is something that is a true joy to experience. Our waiter was nice but didnt talk much besides asking if we were local to see if we wanted to buy into the wine club. Such a cute little zoo. As Harvest Host members it is 'requested' that we spend $20 at a property, and we always spend much more than that. Not much cell service but basic wifi at the store. We have been members for over 10 years and live all of their win wines. 2201 Laguna St, Santa Barbara, CA 93105, USA. Architectural details were reworked until the 1830s. Then signs are well visible. The downtown area is great with nice bars and restaurants. Built in Spanish-Moorish Revival style in 1929, the courthouse features hand-painted ceilings, wrought-iron chandeliers and tiles from Tunisia and Spain. All of the staff were super professional, informative and helpful, they totally took care of us the entire time. Day parking is $10 for vehicles and more for RVs. Normally not my type of scene, but after persuasion from my girlfriend, we visited. She loved having her face scratched. This place is a MUST if you want some great California wine. 43 minutes Santa Barbara. it also features 12 acres of gorgeous gardens. Mission Santa Barbara is probably the most popular tourist attraction in the city. A gorgeous beach that doesnt get too busy. So much so that we joined. Gary greets all visitors to the estate, and they can enjoy complimentary wine tastings and public tours of the production facility and explore the 16,000 square feet of underground caves where the wine is stored. However, I want to set expectations properly. I was over Solvang yesterday. For gorgeous views, stroll through the Santa Barbara Harbor This is a great place for lunch at one of the harbors open-air cafes. If your trip to Santa Barbara is part of a longer road trip along the Pacific Coast Highway, then you'll want to bookmark Morro Bay as a rest stop heading north. He was super friendly and joy to meet. The truth is, to get to Carmel it's only 8.5 miles, however the road loops around making it 17-miles total. Well versed server provided an interesting dialog and explanations. I had two (not on the same day :), Nice wine and great tasting room staff. The restrooms are clean, parking is convenient and do not forget to visit the gift shop. The Farmers Market provides local farms, owned and run by families, to sell their fresh produce, goods, and more. Strolling along Stearns Wharf is one of the best things to do in Santa Barbara, if you want to catch spectacular views of the harbor framed by the dark Santa Ynez mountains. The views of the mountains and palm trees in the distance are so beautiful that no photo can really do it justice. 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