DAY TRIPS & ACTIVITIES
Moxi:
The Moxi museum is a kids-oriented museum of exploration + innovation. Located in the Funk Zone, it is only a couple years old, and it is great fun for the whole family. Highly recommended!
125 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Wheel Fun Rentals:
Although we do have a few bikes of our own at the Blackrock Beach House, Wheel Fun offers a lot of other options for touring downtown Santa Barbara and the Waterfront. You can rent electric bikes, Surrey bikes, and even small electric cars to zip around town in. They also offer guided tours.
24 E Mason St., Santa Barbara CA 93101
The Landshark:
If you’re looking for a unique experience, try out the Landshark. Hop aboard the amphibious vehicle and cruise around Santa Barbara before plunging into the Pacific Ocean and seeing the city from a whole different perspective. They offer guided tours that you can purchase by the seat, or you can charter an entire vehicle and create your own tour. Pro-tip, if you charter the whole thing, make sure to BYOB!
10 East Cabrillo, Santa Barbara, CA
Hikes:
Santa Barbara has hundreds of amazing hiking trails, just a few minutes away. Bring a lot of water and get out there!
A couple of our favorites are Inspiration Point and Tangerine Falls.
Drive-In Movies:
Just a couple minutes drive from the Blackrock Beach House is Santa Barbara County’s only drive-in movie theater. Load up the car with the family, bring some snacks and pick your spot! You can find the showtimes at their website. Pro-tip, if you stay for the double feature, you only have to pay once!
Farmer’s Market:
Santa Barbara offers a number of Farmer’s Markets all week long. The location & times rotates between 6 locales, so be sure to check out the website to find where & when it is today.
Wine Tasting in the Santa Ynez Valley:
This is one of our favorite ways to spend a day. Second only to Napa Valley in terms of scale and quality for California Wines, Santa Ynez is home to hundreds of amazing wineries and tasting rooms, as well as world-class restaurants. Here are a few of our favorites:
Demetria:
Surrounded by the beautiful Santa Ynez mountains and rolling vineyards you immediately feel as if you were transported to the Italian countryside. Reservations are a must, which makes for less people and a more intimate experience. Enjoy!
Gainey:
This winery is one of our favorites for a number of reasons. The wine is delicious, the grounds are exceptional and it’s the closest winery to Santa Barbara. Located right off Highway 154, you can be sipping wine in less than 30 minutes.
Lincourt:
Entering this warm, welcoming tasting room and winery you will instantly feel relaxed. Located in Solvang you will experience a slower pace of life while enjoying some of the best wines in the Valley. Only minutes away from downtown Los Olivos, you can easily be surrounded by shopping and restaurants once you finish your tastings.
Fess Parker:
This winery is one of our favorite places to visit in the valley. With its beautiful views of the area and expansive grounds it’s the perfect place to relax and enjoy a picnic all while sampling some fantastic wine.
Saarloos and Sons:
A winery that’s know for high energy and lots of fun. Located in downtown Los Olivos this winery is perfect for those who want to explore the town center. Park the car and spend hours shopping, eating and sampling some of the best wine in town. No trip is complete without a cupcake sold inside Saarloos. Wine and cupcakes, does it get any better?
SY Kitchen:
One of our favorite Italian spots on the Central Coast. The food is authentic, fresh and absolutely delicious. Don’t leave without trying the homemade pasta, it’s a must! Also, we’re a big fan of the the DIY martini menu.
Santa Ynez General Store:
New to the Valley we fell in love with this store after our first visit. It has such a great range of items from independent makers and craftsmen form around the country. The staff is welcoming, helpful and knowledgeable.
Global Gardens:
You’ve heard of wine tasting, but have you heard of olive oil tasting? One of our favorite places for a unique experience, the friendly staff will walk you through multiple different olive oils sourced locally and from around the world. Enjoy the beautiful outdoor area surrounded by a fragrant lavender farm.