I’m going to say it: Santa Barbara is the prettiest town in California.

I mean it.

I will shout it from mountaintops.

I realize this is a bold statement, there is certainly tough competition, but where else do you have this:

By Damian Gadal

and this:

By SBA John Wiley

right next to each other? Few places, that’s the answer.

Santa Barbara has that je ne sais quoi that’s missing from other locales.

Admittedly, I’m a little biased having moved there at 18 for school (I’m a Gaucho for life).  Those were the impressionable years when I discovered who I was, what I wanted out of life, and, though majoring in Global Studies did not necessarily help me figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up, I learned exactly what I did NOT want to be (a greedy “bad guy” who ruins the ecosystem), and that had value enough for me.

So, when I visit, I want to maximize my time there.  If you’re the same way, here’s a great way to spend a weekend in Santa Barbara:

One could Wine Taste, shop in the myriad of retail establishments in Downtown Santa Barbara on State Street, tour the historic old Mission, or…

One could hike to Red Rock and jump off of it.

By C O L I N

There are many awesome hikes in Santa Barbara and the surrounding areas, with natural rock water slides and waterfalls, but Red Rock in particular is a popular hike and hangout spot, especially on summer weekends.  To successfully spend a day there, follow these directions to the trailhead, pack supplies you intend to carry back out with you (no littering, please!), like plenty of water, snacks, proper footwear for hiking, and a bathing suit for swimming in the Santa Ynez River.

It’s a nice change of pace from a typical beach day, and gives you an opportunity to have a “local’s” experience.  If you go on a weekend in the spring/summer, you’ll probably be partying with college students.  If you go any other time of year, however, you just might have a more laid-back day.

Lastly, if you really just really want to get an adrenaline rush that may or may not end successfully, take a jump from the 40-foot cliffs into the pools below. Would I? Heck no, but it IS what Red Rock is sorta known for.

If hiking and jumping from cliffs is just not your thing, the Botanical Gardens are a nice, cheap alternative, that take less time out of the day, and are easy to get to from State Street.  Just head up past the Mission (there will be signs), and bring along your trusty camera.

You wouldn’t want to miss this:

Santa Barbara Flowers

No hiking boots needed.  You can even wear your flip flops - I did.

You don’t even have to work that hard to be a brilliant photographer here.  The landscape just poses for you:

Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens

If all else fails, just head to Butterfly Beach.

How to get there:

Santa Barbara is North of Los Angeles on the 101 North freeway.

Where to eat:

Breakfast:

Cheap: Bagel Cafe in Isla Vista (best bagels EVER. I’m serious when I say I ate one every day of college)

Middle of the Road: Sambos (the mimosas and bloody marys are large) or Cajun Kitchen (both have locations in Goleta and Downtown)

Pretty Penny: Four Seasons Resort – The Biltmore Santa Barbara

Dinner:

Cheap: Kahuna Grill or Natural Cafe in Goleta, La Super Rica Downtown.

Middle of the Road: Woody’s BBQ in Goleta, Pascucci on State Street

Pretty Penny: Ca’ Dario Downtown (Italian food. Order the ravioli, trust me), or Miro in Goleta.

Where to stay:

Cheap: This is tricky, because there aren’t very good cheap options in Santa Barbara.  For the best value, stay in Goleta at Extended Stay America, The Ramada, or camp in Red Rock.

Expensive: Fess Parker Double Tree Resort (they allow dogs!), The Bacara Resort, or The Biltmore Santa Barbara