• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

copycatchic

Luxe Living for Less

  • Finds
    • Daily Finds
    • Home Trends
    • Five for Fifty
    • Gift Guide
    • Sale Alerts
  • Design
    • Room Redos
    • My Home
    • DIY
  • Shop
    • current sales
    • amazon shop
  • Lifestyle
    • Beauty
    • Entertaining
    • Green Lifestyle
    • Tech
    • Travel
  • About
    • Reichel
    • Contributors
      • Audrey Hall
      • Audrey Spear
      • Andi
    • Join Us
    • Policies
    • Press

36 Hours | Santa Barbara California

I was lucky enough to visit my old hometown of Santa Barbara a few weeks ago. I lived there for about 10 years before I moved back up to the Bay Area. It’s been years since I’ve visited and it was SO fun to be back. You’ve probably heard of it from watching movies like Sideways or It’s Complicated. and it’s really just an all around gorgeous place. I mean…beach + wine country = paradise, am I right?

It’s amazing how much it’s changed since my last visit. The Funk Zone was non-existent when I was there last, so it was great to be able to check it out for the first time. I created a fun itinerary for you guys with a great mix of some of my new and old favorites 🙂 Here’s two days in Santa Barbara, California for under $500.

Copy Cat Chic 36 hrs in Santa Barbara California vegan designer travel guide

 

Copy Cat Chic 36 hrs in Santa Barbara California vegan designer travel guide | Wildwood Kitchen and the Lark Restaurant

wildwood kitchen | the lark

 

Copy Cat Chic 36 hrs in Santa Barbara California vegan designer travel guide | The Wayfarer and Potek Winery

the wayfarer| potek winery

 

Copy Cat Chic 36 hrs in Santa Barbara California vegan designer travel guide | Third Window Brewery and the Wayfarer

third window brewery | THE wayfarer

 

Copy Cat Chic 36 hrs in Santa Barbara California vegan designer travel guide | The Blue Door and Butterfly Beach Montecito

The blue door | butterfly beach

 

DAY ONE

COFFEE
handlebar COFFEE
One of the best almond milk lattes I’ve ever had. Seriously. So rich and creamy. $4

BREAKFAST
d’angelo’s bakery
This is an old favorite, my friend used to call this the $12 toast store. But it’s delicious and worth a visit 😉 $12

play
SANTA BARBARA ZOO
Santa Barbara’s zoo is definitely a must-do. It’s a great smaller sized zoo, that’s not too overwhelming. The kids will love sliding down the turf hill on pieces of cardboard. And getting to feed the giraffes is an opportunity not to be missed! $24

LUNCH
wildwood kitchen
Wildwood Kitchen is located in a new super fun cluster of buildings called the Mill. I had the pleasure of having lunch there. I got a cup of chili and a salad and it was delicious. I’d love to go back and sample some more of their fare though. It’s inventive, tasty and just all around fun. And their decor doesn’t hurt either 😉 $17

shop
MILLWORKS
I happened upon all of this gorgeousness when arrived for lunch (at Wildwood Kitchen) a bit early. I had to be dragged away from this gorgeous home decor store and all of it’s drool-worthy goods. I could spend a looong time in here checking out every detail 😉

drink
THIRD WINDOW BREWERY + POTEK
Right next to Wildwood Kitchen and Millworks is a winery AND a brewery! Hello. You could spend a day here and not get bored. Let’s never leave! 😉

stay
THE WAYFARER
This place is SUCH a find. If you’ve ever traveled to Santa Barbara before you’ll understand just how hard it is to find reasonably priced places to stay. This is a steal AND it’s super chic. It’s actually a high-end hostel with private rooms available. I stayed in a private room and it was perfect. There’s even a murphy bed custom built into the headboard so you can change your queen or king bed into a bunk bed. Arden loved that feature 😉 We had french doors that opened onto a patio and was just a few steps from the pool. They have a full kitchen available for your use, as well as a great breakfast spread that’s all included. And let’s not forget a giant Jenga and Connect 4 set in the game room. I’m definitely staying here again; it’s an absolute jem. $161

do
BIKES ON THE BEACH
After checking in, why not check out the beach? You’re only a couple of blocks away and there’s a great bike lane that runs parallel to the beach. I used to meet up with friends after work and go for a nice sunset walk. But you know what would be more fun? Renting a tandem bike or surrey! $20

DINNER
THE LARK
This is Santa Barbara’s newest “it” restaurant apparently. I made reservations on Open Table ahead of time, but we still ended up getting seated outside “next to a heater with cozy blankets”. Queue *eye roll*. But even sitting outside on a suuuuper windy night didn’t damper my taste buds. This place is seriously delicious and worth it, even when freezing your bum off 😉 $60

 

Copy Cat Chic 36 hrs in Santa Barbara California vegan designer travel guide | Santa Barbara Public Market and D'Angelo's Bakery

santa barbara public market | D’ANGELO’S BAKERY*

 

Copy Cat Chic 36 hrs in Santa Barbara California vegan designer travel guide | Feeding Giraffes at the Santa Barbara Zoo

feeding giraffes at the Santa barbara zoo

 

Copy Cat Chic 36 hrs in Santa Barbara California vegan designer travel guide | McConnell's Ice Cream and Millworks

mcconnell’s | millworks

Copy Cat Chic 36 hrs in Santa Barbara California vegan designer travel guide | Handlebar Coffee Roasters and Rebar Coffee

handlebar coffee roasters | rebar coffee

 

DAY two

COFFEE
REBAR COFFEE
Another great local coffee option! $4

BREAKFAST
backyard bowls
Oh I’m all about my acai bowls lately. It’s definitely the latest trend. Forget smoothies, forget juicing. Go with one of these beautiful bowls instead 😉 $10

do
double dolphin whale watching sail
The Double Dolphin is an institution in Santa Barbara. Highly recommended 🙂 I’ve been on their cruises a few times now and it’s always a great time. Whale watching is always a must do in my book and the Double Dolphin and their crew do such a great job. $40

play
butterfly beach
Butterfly Beach is actually in Montecito, a small town just South of SB. But it’s one of my absolute favorite beaches to go to. Back when I used to live in Santa Barbara, I used to got to Butterfly Beach after work and just walk until the sun would set. I’d walk to Miramar Beach where there’s a ton of gorgeous beachfront homes and just zone. Good times, good memories. Anyways, point is…it’s beautiful. Check it out 🙂

lunch
public market
This place is also a recent addition to Santa Barbara. Such a fun concept and definitely worth a visit. So many cool shops, there’s something for everyone 🙂 $15

shop
THe blue door
Let’s venture back to the Funk Zone, shall we? How fun is this perfectly-curated, vintage shop? I love stores like this, chock-full of unique finds, fun tchotchkes and furniture full of character. A hipster’s paradise 😉

drinks
THE urban wine trail
This is what makes the Funk Zone absolutely the best. Wine tasting galore and in such great environments. This was all new to me since I last visited SB and what a sight to see. I love that you get experience the Santa Barbara wine scene without even leaving Santa Barbara proper.

dinner
mesa verde
After doing some good wine tasting nothing’s better than a tasty and filling dinner. Mesa Verde is a newish plant-based restaurant on the scene. I kind of regret eating there….because after having dinner there, I’m going to CRAVE it. Gah! I wish I could eat there again soon! It was omg so tasty. Even if you aren’t vegan, you’ll find some pretty amazing (and scrumptious) dishes. Next time I go…I’m ordering all of the desserts. Seriously. All of them. 😉 $40

dessert
mcconnell’s ice cream
Ahh, McConnell’s is pretty much synonymous with Santa Barbara. They’ve been around forever. You know why? Because their ice cream is dabomb.com *cringe* yes, I just said that, but seriously. It’s tasty. Go eat some. $5

ReichelSignature-1This post in partnership with Visit Santa Barbara.

* Image via

Related

36 hours, Home, lifestyle, Travel May 11, 2016

Previous Post: « Williams Sonoma Agate Bookends
Next Post: Roost Seagrass Cube Pouf »

Reader Interactions

21 thoughts on this post

  1. Robin Masshole Mommy says

    May 11, 2016 at 11:01 am

    This sounds lovely. I Have always wanted to go to Santa Barbara.

  2. Paula says

    May 11, 2016 at 1:24 pm

    My family was in SB over Spring break, Glad to see we hit several of your recommendations. Almond Milk Latte was definitely Perfect at HandlebAr. We also loved Lilac Pâtisserie, great gluten free bakery.

  3. Ana Fernandez says

    May 11, 2016 at 1:31 pm

    I cant believe you spend only 412$ and you did all of that! it is amazing

  4. Enricoh Alfonzo says

    May 11, 2016 at 1:46 pm

    Brilliant photography!
    very visually stimulating. Lucky packet, looks like you had loads of fun under the sun with the wine.

  5. Laura Starner says

    May 11, 2016 at 2:10 pm

    This looks like an amazing trip. I would love to visit Santa Barbara.

  6. Elizabeth O. says

    May 11, 2016 at 7:39 pm

    Wow! Such a detailed list. From the pictures alone, I am sold, the place looks really beautiful especially the beach. I love that you included things to do for when you have kids. I definitely would like to visit someday!

  7. rAJAN says

    May 11, 2016 at 8:28 pm

    A refreshing trip on such a low budget. Wow!

  8. Michelle Gwynn Jones says

    May 11, 2016 at 8:35 pm

    Santa barbara is a really nice town. and it is so pretty.

  9. Amy Jones says

    May 11, 2016 at 10:00 pm

    You really know how to budget! I never thought you could get so much from just over 400 bucks!

  10. Karlaroundtheworld | Karla says

    May 12, 2016 at 2:43 am

    If I had to choose between Day 1 and Day 2….I can’t! Those places and your descriptions were all so inviting, I’ll be sure to remember a few of them once I step foot on this area!

  11. debra says

    May 12, 2016 at 9:23 am

    Where would you recommend staying on a budget that has a pool? A friend and I are trying to plan a birthday celebration trip and this looks amazing!

  12. Kati says

    May 12, 2016 at 12:36 pm

    Amazing pictures and it looks like a great place to spend few days! I’d love to visit it one day 🙂

  13. Tana says

    May 12, 2016 at 2:59 pm

    I’ve lived in santa barbara for 20 years and i think this list is awesome. Great work capturing a lot of the new stuff our town has to offer:)

  14. Kathy says

    May 12, 2016 at 4:20 pm

    That looks like a great place to go. I’d love to go there sometime. I’ve never even been to California before. It’s on my list of places to visit though

  15. Milena says

    May 13, 2016 at 3:43 am

    I love how you perfectly documented your trip. Santa Barbara looks amazing.

  16. Tam Gamble says

    May 13, 2016 at 1:04 pm

    I haven’t visited Santa barbara but this sounds like a busy couple of days with loads of great suggestions.

  17. Aziel Morte says

    May 13, 2016 at 1:38 pm

    What an amazing trip and i love to go there looks peaceful and relaxing

  18. parpar de real says

    May 14, 2016 at 8:11 pm

    This is such a lovely place to visit. I would love to go there someday

  19. CourtneYlynne says

    May 16, 2016 at 1:31 pm

    I have been all over cali but never sana barbra. Hopeg one day my travels take me there

  20. Steve says

    May 17, 2016 at 4:30 pm

    LOVE This! Beach Chic is the best too! next time you are back home come by Cabana home and chat about design, we would love to meet you.

  21. Kathy Kenny Ngo says

    May 29, 2016 at 3:40 am

    Those places look really good. for under $500 those are also really quite a steal. i’d love to go and visit.

Primary Sidebar


HI THERE! I’M REICHEL BROUSSARD, THE CREATOR OF COPY CAT CHIC. I BELIEVE THAT ANYONE CAN LIVE LARGE ON A SMALL BUDGET. SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA.

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

current sales at our favorite home stores

Most Popular All Time

  • This soft, Scandinavian blush and gray bedroom by Oh Eight Oh Nine gets recreated for less by Copy Cat Chic luxe living for less room redo budget home decor Room Redo | Soft Blush and Gray Scandinavian Bedroom
  • Parent Props | Hospital Bag Packing List- Part 2
  • Create curb appeal with a simple trick, layer rugs under your doormat. Our fave picks to achieve the layered doormat look! copycatchic luxe for less decor Home Trends | Layered Door Mats
  • Our fave copper lighting picks by Copy Cat Chic luxe living for less budget home decor 16 of our favorite copper and rose gold chandeliers and pendants Home Trends | Copper Pendant Lighting
  • Our favorite accent tables, nightstands, side tables and end tables for under $100 | copycatchic luxe living for less budget home decor and design Home Trend | Accent Tables Under $100

Trending Posts

  • This soft, Scandinavian blush and gray bedroom by Oh Eight Oh Nine gets recreated for less by Copy Cat Chic luxe living for less room redo budget home decor Room Redo | Soft Blush and Gray Scandinavian Bedroom
  • Daily Find: Pottery Barn Belgian Flax Linen Floral Stitch Quilt vs. Target Opalhouse Stitched Medallion Quilt, white floral quilt look for less, copycatchic luxe living for less, budget home decor and design, daily finds, home trends, sales, budget travel and room redos Daily Find | Pottery Barn Belgian Flax Linen Floral Stitch Quilt
  • Daily Find: The Company Store Cable Knit Throw vs. Amazon NoJo Kimberly Grant Cable Knit Blanket, cable knit throw look for less, copycatchic luxe living for less, budget home decor and design, daily finds, home trends, sales, budget travel and room redos Daily Find | The Company Store Chunky Cable Knit Throw

Latest from Pinterest

  • Daily Find: Rove Concepts Wishbone Chair vs. Amazon Mid-Century Dining Chair Set of 2, white wishbone chair look for less, copycatchic luxe living for less, budget home decor and design, daily finds, home trends, sales, budget travel and room redos

@copycatchic on Instagram

Instagram has returned invalid data.

Footer

Disclosures

Copy Cat Chic contains display advertisements, sponsored content, and affiliate links. An affiliate link means that if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may be paid a commission on that purchase. It does not increase the price of the item. All products that I’ve received as gifts are noted with a â„…. All sponsored posts, gifted items, sponsored giveaways, etc. will always be noted in a clear and concise way as per FTC requirements.

Copy Cat Chic is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Shipping & Returns
  • Contact Us

Subscribe & Follow

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Youtube
  • Twitter

© 2021 Copycat Chic · Design By Bloom