I will be traveling to Santa Barbara in two weeks and will be there four nights. Will be there for work but should have two of the afternoons to explore and possibly our last full day to explore. I would love to make a trip up to see the big trees and wondering if that is feasible at all. Will have two other co-workers with me so a long drive is not a problem. If that is not enough time then any recommendations are welcome. I am much more interested in natural beauty than city stuff, FWIW.

Thanks in advance!

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Posted by cgrand

HAMMOND

Member since Oct 2009

40885 posts

Posted on 5/6/24 at 7:55 am to EasyTiger

if there’s a show at the Santa Barbara Bowl go do that, top tier amphitheater. Ojai is a short drive away, spectacular. We went to an olive orchard where they pick and process olive oil and could have stayed there all day. Great food and drink in town as well. Up the coast we didn’t get to but I’m sure it’s beautiful

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Posted by LSU

Houston

Member since Oct 2003

8924 posts

Posted on 5/6/24 at 10:17 am to EasyTiger

I had to spend a month there for a work a few years ago.

A couple good restaurants I remember were Holdren's & Palace Grill.

UCSB campus had some nice scenery & a good burger joint, but I don't recall the name of it.

Solvang was a nearby town with some cool architecture.

I'd also recommend driving PCH to enjoy the views.

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Posted by idontyield

Tunnel Trash

Member since Jun 2022

430 posts

Posted on 5/6/24 at 11:29 am to EasyTiger

You can figure out drive time to Sequoia, I’d plan for a minimum of 3 hours in the park.

Romero Canyon is just south in Montecito. You hike up the mountains with views of the ocean and some incredible houses, one of which is Oprah’s. I did a month long mtn bike trip
of the entire west coast a few years ago and this place stands out as one of the most beautiful spots.

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Posted by WaltTeevens

Santa Barbara, CA

Member since Dec 2013

11159 posts

Posted on 5/19/24 at 8:30 pm to EasyTiger

Big Sur is about a 3 hour drive if you want to see that area. State St. is the main drag downtown and it has been closed to cars since COVID. Pedestrian only, which makes into a promenade kinda thing. Pretty nice.

I like the beaches out towards Montecito like Butterfly, you can even go south 15 minutes to Carpinteria and hit Santa Claus Lane. Arroyo Burro Beach or "Hendry's" or "The Pit" is one of the most beautiful beaches in California around sunset, IMO. More Mesa beach is fantastic, but you have to park in an adjacent neighborhood and walk about a half mile or so in. It's also clothing optional, supposedly, although I've never seen any naked people there.

You could drive through Montecito and see how the mega rich live. Some cool houses there, but you said you like nature more so maybe not that.

The Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens are pretty nice. Douglas Family Preserve is a cool naturey area on the mesa. You could rent bikes and ride on the Cabrillo bike path, which is really nice. You could go to Franceschi Park, which is 10 minutes from downtown (right near the Bowl that previous posters mentioned), and it has an amazing view to the city and beach.

The pastrami sandwiches at Norton's are delicious. Get split pea soup and a steak at Jill's. For a really dark, old school steakhouse, go to the Tee-Off.

Brophy Bros. is kind of a legendary Santa Barbara seafood restaurant.

It's an amazing place, my man. I hope you enjoy your visit!

EDIT: Whoops, didn't realize this trip already happened