From Dorms to Downtown: A Santa Barbara Parent’s Guide
Santa Barbara is one of the most picturesque cities in the world. My trips here are to drop off or pick up my UC Santa Barbara student, and I have added time for the beach, downtown sightseeing, and fine dining.
Places to stay
Looking for beachfront spot (well, across the street from the beach) for cheap? Try Mar Monte Hotel in the Hyatt Unbound Collection. Great views, stylish interior, and very reasonably priced, considering the location.
The Drift Hotels are a great small chain - love their locations in Palm Springs and Nashville. The Drift Santa Barbara has minimalist design, with calm neutral tones. It’s in the heart of downtown and has the signature Drift eating options of Dawn cafe for breakfast and Dusk for drinks at night. Complementary bikes and yoga mats allow the active traveler to have their needs met here.
Courtyard Goleta is the place to stay if you’re in Santa Barbara because you are dropping your child at UCSB like me! This property does not feel like a Courtyard, but rather has features and aesthetics much more like a boutique hotel, including the lovely lobby area and fireside seating near the courtyard pool.
If you’re a UCSB parent with the budget for luxury, try the Ritz Carlton Bacara, about a ten minute drive up the coast. The location is spectacular, as are the sunset views, and there’s plenty onsite to do - spa, many dining options, pools, sprawling grounds for walking and taking in the view.
Where to eat
If you need a shopping pitstop on the way from the Santa Barbara airport on your way to downtown, Lure Fish House in La Cumbre Plaza offers elevated seafood in a casual environment, including a comfy outdoor patio.
Seafood ceviche and fish tacos at Lure Fish House
In downtown Santa Barbara, have lunch on the patio at L’Antica Pizzeria, where we had great seafood and salads.
Frito misto at L’Antica Pizzeria
Citrus salad with salmon at L’Antica Pizzeria
Take a drive from Santa Barbara for an upscale food destination - Stonehouse at the San Ysidro Ranch. Pricey but spectacularly fit for foodies, on top of offering a setting of candlelit romance in the lush garden of the inn.
Salads and olives at Stonehouse
Things to do
Take a stroll through La Arcada Plaza in downtown Santa Barbara for unique gifts and charming patio cafes. Stop at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art - even if you don’t like art, there’s something for everyone in the museum gift shop featuring quirky items and great finds for kids.
Head down to the water and walk out onto Stearn’s Wharf. There are several waterfront restaurants here and Conway Family Wines offers wine tasting while looking out on Pacific Ocean and downtown Santa Barbara views.
University of California at Santa Barbara
If visiting UC Santa Barbara, take a look at the Art, Design, and Architecture Museum on campus with quirky, interesting exhibits.
