Caves are amazing. One of the areas most popular attractions is Stearns Wharf, a 2,300-foot-long pier on Santa Barbara Harbor. When youre ready to get your blood pumping, head to Santa Barbara Harbor to rent paddle boards, kayaks, and bikes. This National (and State) Historic Landmark was built in 1929 after a devastating earthquake in 1925. Learn MoreView Website. No tasting (odd for me), but did buy a glass of wine to enjoy while sitting out on their lawn under the oak trees. Great sets, makeup, VOICES, COMEDY, EVERTHING! Vineyards and farms, as well as the Dutch town of Solvang surround this mission. Route : San Francisco Half Moon Bay Santa Cruz Monterey Carmel-by-the-Sea Big Sur San Simeon. Its also a launch point for lots of fun family activities, including sailing, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, fishing, renting a boat or jet ski, or going on a sunset or whale watching cruise. Tobin James Cellars Winery and Tasting Room is an award-winning winery in the heart of the Paso Robles wine region. Case in point? I am planning on travelling from Yosemite to LA but would like to travel down part of the PCH. Highly recommend coming here while in Paso Robles! It provides incredible views and great eats. One of the most famous Catholic monuments in the state, Santa Barbaras Old Mission is one of the longest continuously operating missions in California. eat at Passionfish. Santa Barbaras most popular landmark today, it is lined with souvenirshops and several places where you can sample seafood. So much so that we joined. The people at the flying goat, from the full-timers to the moonlighters, have opened my eyes to the incredible world of sparkling wine production, pairing, and appreciation. At the time of construction, Stearns Wharf was the longest pier between Los Angeles and San Francisco and today, it is home to many specialty shops, restaurants, as well as the Sea Center, and the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. On hot days it's not so easy to take your time and explore but it's a wide and peaceful area. Beautiful Lake, friendly workers, ample space for camping near the lake, I would recommend going down to the lake by sunset or sunrise, I took amazing photos. The 78-acre Santa Barbara Botanic Garden has several different distinct garden displays. Maybe my favorite winery in Paso. I've been to a lot of Missions. Saw Bride of Frankenstein tonight. Architectural details were reworked until the 1830s. The top cities between Monterey and Santa Barbara are Paso Robles, Big Sur, San Luis Obispo, Cambria, Solvang, Pismo Beach, and Morro Bay. Well versed server provided an interesting dialog and explanations. When Visit California asked us if we'd like to discover Big Sur and the legendary Highway 1 to the winding roads of North and South Lake Tahoe, we couldn't wait to put on our driving hats and hit the road! Due to time constraints we unfortunately will not be able to pass the Big Sur or Monterey. Take a nice guided tour (its free!) I didn't know what to expect and the staffs were spot on with their own personal experiences. It is one of the oldest working harbors in the US, where you can watch fishermen come in and out all day. Don't rush through - take your time and absorb the beauty of this Mission. http://www.stearnswharf.org, Enjoy the seaside sights and sounds of Stearns Wharf, one of Santa Barbaras most iconic landmarks. Built in 1872 to handle incoming freight and passengers, Stearns Wharf is one of the West Coast's oldest wooden piers. Enjoy the road stretch from Morro Bay on the south, along the Big Sur coastline, up to Monterey at the north. 6 hours 45 minutes. 751 Palm St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, USA. This was such a nice experience! Morro Bay is known for (drum roll) a huge rock and 3 smokestacks (and cute otters). I know like that seems like an exaggeration, but I'm not joking. Youll have to stop by at least once while youre in town! The tiger is beautiful, but seems sad. We appeared on a Thursday. Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. You cant leave Santa Barbara before paying a visit! Did I mention the food? Carpenteria. Wander the beautiful beaches and seaside in the area. Answer 1 of 17: I'm planning a 14 night California road trip, late summer around Labor Day. 1212 Mission Canyon Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93105, USA. Very relaxed and clean compared to many other beaches here in California! Previously, the town had gone by the names of Slabtown, Rosaville, San Simeon, and Santa Rosa. It's so beautiful that I chose to get married there. Located in Mission Canyon, with sweeping views of the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Santa Barbara Channel Islands,the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is a 78 acre botanical garden that displays California native plants in natural settings, encompassing a range of cultivated displays as well as stands of natural coast live oak and riparian woodlands. The drive between San Francisco and San Simeon is more appealing than one might imagine. I would say you should plan on spending one to two hours here walking the tour. Its imposing Ionic facade, an architectural homage to an ancient Roman chapel, is topped by an unusual twin-bell tower. There are plenty! The restrooms are clean, parking is convenient and do not forget to visit the gift shop. Very nice people Brought our very large golden retrievers, and were very comfortable in the shade under a tent. You can visit their desert garden, or you may also want to bask under the canopies of trees. Must be lovely exited to meet the place . I like that dog owners here obey the leash laws. 22 minutes off the main route, 14% of way to Santa Barbara. the Flying Goat Santa Barbara is a small California city located on a beautiful stretch of the Pacific coastline. It is best to just take a seat and take in the view. As you continue down State Street youll come to Stearns Wharf, stretching out over the Pacific Ocean. A great beach no less and definitely recommend. The drive from Monterey to Santa Barbara is 250 miles (403 km). The Monterey Peninsula has a cluster of small coastal towns that are a joy to explore: Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Pacific Grove, and Pebble Beach. 217 Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, USA. wear good walking shoes, and make sure you have plenty of water. Designed in Spanish-Moorish style and completed in 1929, the Santa Barbara County Courthouse is now one of the main tourist attractions on a visit to the American Riviera.One of the most beautiful government buildings in all of the United States, the Santa Barbara County Courthouse is a working courthouse, but visitors are encouraged to explore what its grounds hold in store for them. The gift shop is adorable and the plants. It is a working church. It's known for its Danish-style architecture and many wineries. No idea why this exists. A must visit if youre the area. If you walk down the alley you will definitely smell different flavors of bubblegum. My question is - should we stay in Big Sur for the night, or drive all the way down to somewhere. If you're looking for an attraction that's moving, historical and photogenic, this is it. Visitors to the Santa Barbara County Courthouse have the chance to explore one of the most beautiful public buildings in America. 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 400-mile road trip from San Francisco to Santa Barbara will take around 8 hours to complete. Built in search to find the best places so you dont have to open 50 more tabs. There are a couple short bus rides where you need to wear a mask. A pioneer of Paso Robles, Gary Eberle founded Eberle Winery more than 40 years ago. 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?! Never dig through your emails again access all your flights, lodging, and any reservations in 1 place. There are 10 ways to get from Santa Barbara to Monterey by bus, train, car, plane, shuttle or subway Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. I went solely to get a couple of bottles of wine my sister said she loves from Fess Parker Winery. Take a step back in time when you visit the Old Mission Santa Barbara. Road trip from Monterey/Carmel to Santa Barbara 5 years ago Save Hi there, Need advice (this is part of a bigger road trip San Fran to Temecula ) We will be spending 2 nights in Monterey / Carmel (14/15 Dec), then 1 night in Santa Barbara (16 Dec) etc. People love visiting Paso Robles, Big Sur, and San Luis Obispo, among others. We paid a $5.00 parking fee (as seniors) with the regular price being $6.00. They produce reasonably priced wines with an even more generous military and veterans discount. The grounds are simply beautiful and serene. 3. It was completed, however, in 1929. I'll definitely be back with a group of friends. There are so many wonderful tasting wines. The Santa Barbara County Courthouse in sunny California has been a source of much civic pride since 1850, its establishment as a small Greek-Revival Courthouse that was the seat of the local government. Following the coast south from the Monterey Peninsula to Santa Barbara and Channel Islands National Park, before heading back north through some of the state's best wine regions, makes for an unforgettable week. 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. Loved it. Theres plenty of parking and a near by park. Its rare to find a Courthouse touted as an important cultural and architectural landmark in the area, but this unique property is well worth the visit. Long palm-lined downtown boulevard joining the oceanfront with local shops, a theater & restaurants. receives our benediction More than 5.5 miles of paths wind their way through the pine-scented woodland. Both parts of the property are awesome. 1:55 pm Big Sur. How long is the drive from San Francisco to Santa Barbara?. It's rightfully rated as one of the top road trips in the world. Small parking fee and the rangers do check. 1.5 hours Paso Robles. Every wine we tasted was delicious. Dogs are allowed on leash on the main grounds, but not allowed on the beach. 2 days in Santa Barbara Wine Crawl. There are 9 ways to get from Monterey to Santa Barbara by bus, train, car, plane or shuttle Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. Magnificent place in Santa Barbara, got to spent the evening here watching the mesmerizing sunset with the backdrop of the palm trees. Its an honor well-earned, though, as its easily among the most beautiful missions in the state of California. The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is a great place to bring the family to learn about plants and nature. Such a great enjoyable time didn't here. Very nice place! The wines were mediocre, which I could have lived with. The downtown area is great with nice bars and restaurants. Wanderlog makes planning a trip so effortless. Total Distance: 95.1 miles. The top cities between Monterey and Santa Barbara are Paso Robles, Big Sur, San Luis Obispo, Cambria, Solvang, Pismo Beach, and Morro Bay. Frolic through the meadows and trek through the woodlands to encounter native California plants, themed gardens, and picturesque views of nature. Come for the wine, stay for the architecture, the views and the (occasional) live music. This particular property, however 'required' that we spend $20 per person. Stearns Wharf is indisputably the most beautiful wharf on the California coast. Bixby Bridge is one of the most photographed spots on Big Sur. Countryside vineyard with a tasting room, an extensive sculpture garden & play areas for kids. The Old Mission Santa Barbarais not only rich with history, it is also an incredibly exquisite building. The harbor houses restaurants, shops, the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, and over 1000 vessels. You can learn about the local history of Santa Barbara when you make a stop at a top site like Mission Santa Barbara. Landmark 1786 Spanish mission with period art & artifacts, gardens with ocean views & a gift shop. I enjoyed the variety of produce available and the chance to shop with entertainment. There are several interesting trails to follow which are suitable for the whole family and will introduce children to Californias diverse climatic regions and habitats. Serene stretch of coast & picnicking spot with a snug, basic campground & scenic views. WOW! My question is - should we stay in Big Sur for the night, or drive all the way down to somewhere. 1.5 hours Pinnacles National Park. Free parking. Save Mission Santa Barbara to your lists, We were looking to sight-see so we hopped off and walked over to the Santa Barbara Courthouse, the most elegant and therefore photographed of its kind. Franco is a great host! Without exaggeration, this is one of the most beautiful and breathtaking roads anywhere in the world. Great place to taste wine, knowledgeable staff and fantastic grounds. As the pier is flanked by both West Beach and East Beach, visitors can stop to enjoy the beautiful beaches before strolling the wharf. and leave at 1:37 pm. This place is a must to try out! Nice new playground, adequate restrooms, and a dump station. The Flying Goat lifts you away at first sight. Cambria. It's located just 1.5 miles from 101 off Mission Street exit. eat at Fresco Valley Caf. Theres also a variety of restaurants to choose from while you look out onto the rolling water. Its a must-see when visiting Santa Barbara, California. Check them out here: Yes! Sculpterra Winery and Sculpture Garden is a beautiful estate that combines wine and art to create a unique experience for both wine aficionados and art lovers. This is a great place to stroll, eat, shop and see the sights. Bubblegum Alley is a rather odd attraction, and yet visiting it just to see it once is one of the best things to do in San Luis Obispo. All of the staff were super professional, informative and helpful, they totally took care of us the entire time. After getting our fill of wine, we started the next day with a trip to Pismo Beach, which is famous for its Monarch Butterfly Grove that is filled with butterflies from late October through February. The sites are nice some were pretty muddy after the big storms. Spread across nearly 80 acres just off Mission Canyon Road, the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is home to hundreds of local plant, flower, and tree species. The RV sites are ample & have full hook-ups. How To Get There: The most scenic route to Santa Barbara is via California Highway 1, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway. There is an amazing amount of boats docked here . Spanish mission founded by Junipero Serra in 1772, with a church, gardens, a museum & a gift shop. Answer 1 of 5: We are planning to drive the Big Sur coast (from Monterey to Santa Barbara) with our two boys (9 and 12). Make sure the rangers designate your tow vehicle as a tow vehicle with the window permit on check-in. We walked about the grounds. We love going there. While your dog might not go on the cave tour, there is a scenic deck area with plenty of space for them to roam or even play with the winerys resident poodles. . This small beach is located at the end of the breakwater for Santa Barbara Harbor and is walking distance from Stearns Wharf on the city waterfront. As Harvest Host members it is 'requested' that we spend $20 at a property, and we always spend much more than that. The gardens are an awe-inspiring natural wonder, home to a beautiful redwood grove, picturesque hiking trails, and spectacular green landscapes. Whether you're indoors or outdoors, the beauty is everywhere. Franco was friendly, informative and happily answered any questions I had. There are two main ways to drive from Los Angeles to Ojai: Along The Coast: The most common way is to head north on the 101 freeway and hug the coast. Hand-painted tiles and a spiral staircase infuse the courthouse, a national historic landmark, with the grandeur of a Moorish palace. On Mission Plaza, the Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa is a 1700s Spanish mission with a museum. Plus, it hosts frequent events, classes and workshops for kids and families. This is a nice place to attend daily mass. You can camp here, on the main grounds not on the beach itself. It's known for its wineries and many beaches. The garden is spread over 78 acres, nestled in the Mission Canyon. Walk to the end of State Street, and you will arrive at Stearns Wharf, the oldest working wharf in California that dates back to 1872. Established in 2007 by the Frankel family, Sculpterra brings the beauty of art and wine together in stylish form. 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. There is a little bit of hiking. I have never loved all the white and red wines at a winery before. Huge! Id even seen numerous wedding photoshoots here on the same day! the surrounding gardens are amazing too--tropical palms, green grass, and redwoods offer a perfect place for a picnic. owners Kate and Norm are to bubbly; The fee for most people is $15 but there are certain discounts for certain people. After your jaunt along State Street, youll come across one of Santa Barbaras most iconic landmarks: the Stearns Wharf. This visit was sometime in February, so it was a little chilly but being in the sun was warmer and very nice. The rock sits within Morro Bay State Park, home to lagoons, trails and a bird-rich saltwater marsh. You can check the road conditions from Monterey to Santa Barbara. The Elverhj Museum of History & Art explores the city's Danish heritage through personal stories and photographs. My sister loves their red wines so much, she hoarded a bottle of their 2012 santa rita hills pinot noir for years until she found a worthy occasion to pop the cork. California's Queen of the Missions reigns above the city on a hilltop perch over a mile north of downtown. It is that beautiful. The on-site museum has replica rooms and contains dozens of artifacts and artworks. We wasted no time leaving. Built in Spanish-Moorish Revival style in 1929, the courthouse features hand-painted ceilings, wrought-iron chandeliers and tiles from Tunisia and Spain. See the best views of Santa Barbara and enjoy a stunning variety of architectural styles at the citys historic courthouse. Could have opened church for all time. Don't forget to factor in the weather. WOW! This route will take 6 hours and 10 minutes, not allowing for any . Vendors selling produce, flowers and food take over Higuera Street for the Downtown SLO Farmers Market. Staffers work amazingly hard to keep this place so singularly beautiful and a joy to come to. The closest day trip to Santa Barbara is the small town of Carpenteria just 15 minutes to the south. Storied wooden wharf offering restaurants, varied shops, a small aquarium & water views. Its also just an alley, so its also one of SLOs free things to do, as well as being among its most-discussed. 43 minutes Santa Barbara. Show only these on map Big Sur Save On 2 lists Nature & Parks Hiking Trails We will take two days, spending one night. Its definitely the perfect size to get a toddler tired. I really wanted to love this place, in fact at first we wanted to stay for two days. Dogs are allowed on a leash only and please clean after your dog. and dont miss the chance to climb to the top of the clock tower (El Mirador) to admire one of the most beautiful views of Santa Barbara. 22719 El Camino Real, Santa Margarita, CA 93453, USA. A gem in the downtown of Santa Barbara. The trail is amazing and stroller friendly. The wines show this with their maturity, depth & balance without being over bearing. One of the first, if not the first wineries & vineyards in this area. The breakwater was completed in 1930 and provides safe harbor for commercial and private boats, as well as a lovely path for pedestrians to take in the view. Atop a rugged bluff, Dinosaur Caves Park has trails with ocean views and a playground. 1 / 12. The garden has been around for nearly 100 years and even includes a stand of majestic California Redwoods that stretch hundreds of feet into the blue skies above. While many might think that this museum glorifies war, however, on the contrary, this museum renders you an insight into the amount of sacrifice that goes into making anRead more. The owner was attentive and shared good wines. This is the perfect pit stop for getting out to enjoy the sun and natural beauty on your way to San Luis Obispo. Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is a collection of different types of gardens. Still no coffee either! We went during Christmas and there was a small display on the lawn with small farm animals. I think their indoor/store mask mandate is not only non sensical but inconvenicing but how many other businesses and points of interests can a truly health conscious citizen rue the same about in this State and town? Estrella Warbird Museum 4251 Dry Creek Rd, Paso Robles, CA 93446 (805) 238-9317. What an awesome experience! Very dry and dusty and not environmentally pet friendly, but a great location & lake area. Beautiful Carmel River Beach just outside the town of Carmel-by-the-Sea Intimate theater with a variety of shows plus an in-house pub with beer, wine & snacks for purchase. If you're going on a road trip from Santa Barbara to San Francisco, we did the research for you and compiled some great stops along the way with Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Jose, Paso Robles . We met with Father after Spanish Mass and he was very warm and welcoming. Monterey . The 17-mile drive is a road that weaves through Pebble Beach from Monterey to Carmel (or vice-versa). There are a ton of different options for photos at Stearn's Wharf. The cheeky GHETTO graffiti on the walls made me chuckle. Another jaw-droppingly photogenic stop is the volcanic mound at Morro Bay. Check out other stops like Avila Beach, Big Sur, or Cayucos. The Garden also offers many classes and seminars on topics such as bird identification. It has a great visitor center that is super educational. The museum is named after the Estrella Army Air Field, which was built in 1943 and eventually became the citys municipal airport. Tons of food and options. Ive bought the Mega Focus at Costco since tasting, its especially great. 1520 E Chestnut Ct unit a, Lompoc, CA 93436, USA. Save all the best places to visit with Wanderlog, Download the travel planning app everyone's been raving about, https://www.slocity.org/visiting/things-to-do/bubble-gum-alley, https://www.countyofsb.org/parks/jalamacamping.sbc, https://www.fessparker.com/?utm_medium=organic&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=business-listing, Monterey to Grand Canyon National Park drive, Monterey to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park drive, Monterey to the Death Valley National Park drive, Monterey to Yellowstone National Park drive.