Santa Barbara, California
Sophisticated yet laid-back, Santa Barbara is a place full of history, elegance, and charm. Often referred to as “The American Riviera” travelers have flocked to Santa Barbara for decades to take advantage of its gorgeous coastal views, world-renowned vineyards, exquisite dining, and lively atmosphere. Its Spanish Colonial- inspired white stucco buildings with red, terracotta roofs give Santa Barbara a distinct character and only add to its picturesque quality. Wake up each morning steps from the beach, shop like a local, dine in fabulous restaurants, ride bikes through wine country, and experience the relaxed sophistication of “The American Riviera” on this AstridTravel Club trip!
Interested in this trip? Fill out the form at the bottom of this page.
This Trip at a Glance
Experience the Relaxed Sophistication of “The American Riviera”
Dates: TBD | Price: $4,500
This trip features a varied itinerary with activities ranging from bike riding through wine country and kayaking around the Channel Islands to historical day tours and five-star dining experiences. Activities follow a moderate pace, and participants should be comfortable walking and standing for extended periods of time.
If you wish to take this trip at another date, either solo or with a group of your own, contact us and we’ll work with you to customize this trip for your needs.
The Itinerary — 7 Days, 6 Nights
Day 1
Stearns Wharf. Photo source.
Arrive in Santa Barbara by late afternoon. (Transportation from Santa Barbara Airport provided.) Upon arrival, check-in to the Santa Barbara Inn, a boutique hotel located just steps from the shores of the Pacific Ocean, the famous Stearns Wharf, and bustling State Street.
Take your time to get settled before meeting with your ATC trip host and the rest of your group in the hotel lobby. Enjoy a Welcome Cocktail on the outdoor terrace before departing on a stroll along the waterfront towards Stearns Wharf. As you wander along the Stearns Wharf pier, be sure to glance behind you and drink in the views of the city situated against a mountain backdrop. Stop into the many shops located along the wharf, perhaps pausing for a fortune telling at Madame Rosinka!
Enjoy dinner at the laid-back Santa Barbara Shellfish Company, a classic choice for freshly-caught seafood. Watch the sunset behind the Santa Ynez Mountains as you dine over the water and get acquainted with your fellow travelers.
Meals Included: Dinner
Day 2
Santa Barbara Historic County Courthouse
Begin your day with breakfast at D’Angelos Pastry and Bread, a local favorite. Afterward embark on a tour of Santa Barbara’s most noteworthy and historical buildings. You might notice that most of the buildings in Santa Barbara are modeled in a Spanish Colonial style, an architectural style which didn’t come about until 1925 when a 6.8 earthquake toppled most of the city. The resulting aesthetic is a defining characteristic of Santa Barbara. Enjoy touring these iconic historic buildings including the County Courthouse, the Arlington Theatre, and the "Queen of the Missions", built it 1786. After the tour, enjoy lunch at Los Arroyos, another local hideout.
After lunch, enjoy a leisurely sightseeing bike ride along the seashore. Return back to the hotel to relax and refresh. In the evening, enjoy a delightful Italian-inspired dinner at the Santa Barbara Inn’s ocean-view restaurant, Convivo.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3
Satellite “Yoga Pants Salad”. Photo source.
Begin the day with breakfast at Renaud’s Patisserie and Bistro. Then stroll down State Street and pay a visit to the Santa Barbara Museum of Art where you’ll embark on a docent-led tour. Upon the conclusion of the tour, enjoy leisure time to explore State Street, grab a bite to eat, and visit the many shops in the area.
Regroup with your fellow travelers in the late afternoon for an ice cream break at the famous McConnell’s Fine Ice Cream Shop or a cup of coffee at the nearby Handlebar Coffee Roasters, a local favorite.
Return to the hotel to relax and refresh. In the evening, enjoy a glass of wine and small plates at local restaurant, Satellite before attending a theatre performance at a nearby venue. Finally, end the night with drinks under the stars on the outdoor terrace at the Santa Barbara Inn.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4
Santa Barbara Wine Country Bike Tour. Photo source.
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before embarking on a Bike Tour of Santa Barbara Wine Country. Board a private shuttle and depart for Los Olivos, a quaint, historic town in the middle of Santa Barbara Wine Country. From there, you’ll ride bikes past apple orchards, local farms, and breathtaking vineyards around the Danish-inspired town of Solvang and through Ballard Canyon. Visit a lavender farm and stop for an olive oil tasting along the way. Then, enjoy a scenic picnic lunch nestled within a vineyard and afterward, enjoy an afternoon wine tasting. (Electric bikes can be provided if desired.)
Return to Santa Barbara after a full day and take some time to refresh at the hotel before regrouping for dinner at Via Maestra 42 - an excellent Italian restaurant. After dinner, enjoy cocktails and live music at The Red Piano.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5
Biltmore Four Seasons Santa Barbara Brunch. Photo source.
Enjoy the early morning at leisure before venturing over to the gorgeous, waterfront Biltmore Four Seasons Hotel to enjoy one of the best brunches in Santa Barbara. Sip champagne and drink in views of the Pacific Ocean as you dine in luxury and style.
Following brunch, return to the hotel and take a stroll along the waterfront to visit the weekly Santa Barbara Arts and Crafts Show. This is the perfect place to find a one-of-a-kind souvenir or art piece to commemorate your travels and also support local artisans!
In the afternoon, continue the shopping adventure along Coast Village Road, a sophisticated and charming Montecito shopping district. Finally, venture to San Ysidro Ranch, a luxury resort in Montecito (and rumored honeymoon spot of John and Jackie Kennedy). Enjoy dinner at Plow & Angel, the ranch’s cozy, cellar-esque restaurant.
Meals Included: Brunch, Dinner
Day 6
Kayaking Channel Islands National Park. Photo source.
Day 7
Begin the day with an early morning drive to the Ventura Harbor where you will board a ferry for The Channel Islands. Comprised of an 8-island archipelago located off the coast of California, the Channel Islands are often called the “Galapagos of the North” due to its unique and rare assortment of flora and fauna.
Upon arrival at Santa Cruz Island, climb into a kayak and spend 2 - 2.5 hours exploring the crystal waters of Prisoners Harbor. As you gaze into the crystal waters, watch kelp forests sway in the ocean current and keep your eyes peeled for marine life! Your expert guide will share information about the unique geography, history, and wildlife of the islands as you paddle along pristine shoreline.
Return to Santa Barbara in the late afternoon and take some time to refresh at the hotel. Enjoy leisure time in the evening to explore the Funk Zone, a quirky Santa Barbara district full of boutiques, art galleries, cafes and tasting rooms. Regroup for a final Farewell Dinner at The Lark, a Funk Zone favorite.
Meals Included: Dinner
Check-out of Santa Barbara Inn and depart for return flight home.
Accommodations: Santa Barbara Inn
“Framed by deep red terra cotta roofs, luminous white stucco, gracefully arched windows and a duo of handcrafted tile domes, the Santa Barbara Inn perfectly embodies the spirit and architecture of Santa Barbara. [This] newly re-imagined Spanish Mediterranean boutique merges classic elegance and coastal luxury with 70 beautifully appointed rooms and suites and dramatic ocean views.
Sink into a lounge chair by the heated outdoor pool and disappear into a good book. Adorned with flickering gas lanterns and a fire pit, [the] oceanfront terrace is an enchanting spot for savoring cocktails, Italian fare and the Pacific Coast sunset.”
Photo Gallery
Additional Trip Information
Inclusions
Private accommodations for 6 nights at the Santa Barbara Inn
3 breakfasts, 1 brunch, 2 lunches, 6 dinners
Historical Tour of Santa Barbara
All tours mentioned in itinerary
Airport transfer
Gratuities
An AstridTravel Club Trip Host on-site
Exclusions
Airfare
Meals not specified in itinerary
Miscellaneous personal expenses
Travel Insurance
Payment Schedule
$750 deposit is required upon booking.
$1,900 payment due on or before June 1, 2021.
$1,850 payment due on or before September 1, 2021.
Monthly payment plans available. Contact us for details.
Cancellation Policy
Cancel your trip 90 days or more prior to departure, and you will receive a full refund of any monies paid to the ATC. Cancel your trip between 89 - 60 days prior to departure, and you will receive a 50% refund. Cancel your trip between 59 - 30 days prior to departure and you will receive a 25% refund. Cancel your trip less than 30 days prior to departure, and you will receive no refund.
All cancellations must be sent via email to contact@astridtravel.com and are effective the date we receive this correspondence.
ATC reserves the right to cancel this trip for any reason. Such reasons include, but are not limited to, not achieving a minimum number of participants necessary to make the trip feasible, weather phenomena, and other unforeseen circumstances. In such event, you may choose to either receive a full refund, including the deposit, or apply your payments to another trip if approved by ATC.
Traveler Requirements
Travelers must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months following the return travel date if traveling internationally.
Travelers are responsible for making their own flight arrangements.
Travelers must provide a copy of their desired flight reservation before booking to ensure that all information is correct.
Travel Insurance is Recommended
The ATC does not require travel insurance for domestic trips, however, it is strongly encouraged you purchase travel insurance. In the event that you are unable attend this trip due to an illness, family emergency, missed or canceled flight, act of terrorism, natural disaster, etc., Astrid Solo Travel Advisor, AstridTravel LLC, the AstridTravel Club LLC, nor any affiliated person or party will be held responsible for payment repatriation. Protect yourself against any unforeseen trip disasters and purchase travel insurance. The company we personally use and have an affiliate relationship with is Allianz Travel Insurance. Please contact us with any questions.
Interested in Joining?
If you are interested in this trip to beautiful Santa Barbara, fill out the brief, no obligation, interest form below and we will reach out to you via email. Please feel free to include any questions or comments you might have about this trip.