They produce reasonably priced wines with an even more generous military and veterans discount. 1.5 hours Paso Robles. The church always holds religious services and in the adjoining building, there is a very interesting museum where you can learn more about the history of the relationship between the Franciscan friars and the Native Americans through historical artifacts and sacred and secular objects from that time period. 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. 733 Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, USA. Go visit the mission for the history and a wonderful view from the hill. The Estrella Warbirds Museum is an aviation museum located on more than 13 acres of land at the Paso Robles Municipal Airport. Theres also a historic Native American dam built in the early years of the 19th century across Mission Creek. There are restrooms, a huge grass play area with a swing set. 453 Laetitia Vineyard Drive, Arroyo Grande, CA 93420, USA, 3015 Airpark Dr, Santa Maria, CA 93455, USA. The store/restaurant is great and lots of items to buy. What more could you want in a tasting? Great little aviation museum with ties to Hollywood. It's known for its Danish-style architecture and many wineries. They do have bathrooms near by. Visitors to the Santa Barbara County Courthouse have the chance to explore one of the most beautiful public buildings in America. 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. Step back in time to Old California. 13 minutes off the main route, 55% of way to Santa Barbara. A Santa Barbara road trip provides a glimpse at one of the most scenic and iconic roads in the world, the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH).The PCH offers stunning views of the ocean and coastline, with plenty of opportunities to pull over and take in the views. It's the most scenic route by far and is easy to get off and get back on while making stops along the way. The gift shop has some pretty cool souvenirs. and leave at 5:55 pm. We went with 3 kids under 2 and one 3 y/o and they had an absolute blast. Also, they honored my coupons for two free tastings even though they hadn't seen that type of coupon before. Walk the beach for more scenic views and lots of neat geology. But, alas, such is things. Such a great enjoyable time didn't here. WOW!!!! The closest day trip to Santa Barbara is the small town of Carpenteria just 15 minutes to the south. 1.5 hours Solvang. Nice new playground, adequate restrooms, and a dump station. Very dry and dusty and not environmentally pet friendly, but a great location & lake area. One of the areas most popular attractions is Stearns Wharf, a 2,300-foot-long pier on Santa Barbara Harbor. Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, USA. I dared them to lick the wall but no one would lol. Its great for beautiful ocean views and you can grab dinner here at one of their many seafood restaurants. 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. It is best to just take a seat and take in the view. Modern estate surrounded by acres of trim vineyards, offering tastings & picnics on the grounds. Tons of food and options. Distance between Monterey and Santa Barbara Driving non-stop from Monterey to Santa Barbara How far is Santa Barbara from Monterey? Tastings of Burgundy & Rhone-style wines at a family-owned vineyard in manicured grounds. Carpenteria. A true historic place with great view of Santa Barbara! Be it a family gathering, date night, curiosity or whatever the reason may be, definitely a good place to visit. drive for about 47 minutes. stay at Mission Ranch Hotel. Yes, you must go by! Intimate theater with a variety of shows plus an in-house pub with beer, wine & snacks for purchase. Brewlab. Theyve got that. it also features 12 acres of gorgeous gardens. Plan on spending time viewing metal sculptures on the grounds. Across 75 acres of kid-friendly terrain are desert, meadow, ridge and redwood forest vistas. My wife and I have visited many California Missions but believe this to be the best of them. drive for about 1.5 hours. This is a nice place to attend daily mass. The Inland Route. 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. This is a great place to stroll, eat, shop and see the sights. It's easy to spend an hour or more in the VS just learning about the mission. There are a ton of different options for photos at Stearn's Wharf. Did I mention the food? Very dog-friendly! Bixby Bridge is one of the most photographed spots on Big Sur. Red woods are huge and sit in the valley - the cactus are so pretty. 6200 Foxen Canyon Rd, Los Olivos, CA 93441, USA, 5017 Zaca Station Rd, Los Olivos, CA 93441, USA. After graduating with a BS in biology, he attended Louisiana State University where he continued his graduate work studying cellular genetics. Free parking. The Santa Barbara County Courthouse isnt known for being one of the most romantic things to do in Santa Barbara but it still owns the title of most beautiful government building in the US. The key is to take Highway 1, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway, which runs directly along the beautiful California coastline. This winery is beautiful, and the staff are amazing--They gave us great recommendations about things to do and see in the area, and were incredibly nice. Stearns Wharf is one of Santa Barbaras most popular tourist attractions offering family fun for all ages. Santa Barbara County Courthouse was designed by William Mooser II and opened in 1926. Eateries also share space, and you'll even catch sight of locals plying the waters for fish, along with boats coming in to unload the day's successes. A great beach no less and definitely recommend. Staffers work amazingly hard to keep this place so singularly beautiful and a joy to come to. This mission, founded in 1804, is an active parish church, plus a museum with tours & a gift shop. Its all outdoor seating now as they do some renovations but we were fine with that since we have dogs and the weathers nice. We set up our entire trip to the west coast to make sure we were in San Luis Obispo for the Thursday evening farmers market!! stay for about 4 hours. It's known for its wineries and many beaches. Bordered to the east by the Santa Lucia Mountains and the west by the Pacific Ocean, its traversed by narrow, 2-lane State Route 1, known for winding turns, seaside cliffs and views of the often-misty coastline. It has a great visitor center that is super educational. Cant wait!! Take a drive down scenic Mission Canyon Road until you reach the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. Id even seen numerous wedding photoshoots here on the same day! The Old Mission Santa Barbarais not only rich with history, it is also an incredibly exquisite building. 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. This kid-friendly waterfront area at the end of State Street is Santa Barbaras most visited attraction because theres so much to do. I especially enjoyed the Rouge blend and the Cabernet (of course). I wish we got the chance to attend a service here - next time for sure. The Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens consist of over 75 acres and is a stunning outdoor area to explore in the city. This Spanish-Colonial style courthouse finished construction in 1929. I grew up in So Cal. Well equipped it all your needs. We wasted no time leaving. Decor is cute. Group picnic area under the trees. Beautiful views. Very few people in the national parks! I tried to enter the church but it was closed. Winding road in and windy once you arrive but beautiful, remote spot along the ocean. Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $185 for one-way flights and $225 for round trip, for the period specified. The Santa Barbara County Courthouse is arguably one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. Whether you're indoors or outdoors, the beauty is everywhere. It is a working church. Landmark 1786 Spanish mission with period art & artifacts, gardens with ocean views & a gift shop. Still no coffee either! You can drive from Monterey to Santa Barbara. Another jaw-droppingly photogenic stop is the volcanic mound at Morro Bay. The Jalama Beach Store has you covered with sundries and famous Jalama burgers. Maybe I'm just bad at finding things but there was also really good Indian food here. Overall a good time and I'd come back again. Named for builder John P. Stearns and located at the end of State Street, it is Californias oldest working wharf and the perfect spot. Amazing wines. Military aviation museum featuring aircraft, objects & memorabilia, plus military vehicles. Could have opened church for all time. The tour is worth taking and exploring the art, workmanship and history of the indigenous peoples and Missionaries. Great place to taste wine, knowledgeable staff and fantastic grounds. The rock sits within Morro Bay State Park, home to lagoons, trails and a bird-rich saltwater marsh. Absolutely loved this museum! Embodying beauty, rustic charm, tourism, and a feel of the ocean, Stearns Wharf is Santa Barbaras number one tourist attraction. The cheeky GHETTO graffiti on the walls made me chuckle. A delightful evening shared with friends. But I've also marveled at art shows, savored honey tastings, and enjoyed made-to-order crepes in this niche space. (3) Rangers were very helpful, present & courteous throughout - unlike the CA State Parks/Beaches (4) boat rentals available & being on the lake with a motorized boat was GREAT! Brice who poured for us was so fun, full of history and stories. I love that the Botanical Gardens never stop growing or improving and the seasons offer something even better. Very nice people It is one of the most beautiful architectural gems in the city. 400 miles. Strolling along Stearns Wharf is one of the best things to do in Santa Barbara, if you want to catch spectacular views of the harbor framed by the dark Santa Ynez mountains. I was even able to pet one of the piggies. From its painted ceilings down to its tiled-floors, the Santa Barbara County Courthouse is a must-see! and their pinot selection Estrella Warbird Museum 4251 Dry Creek Rd, Paso Robles, CA 93446 (805) 238-9317. 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. Great atmosphere. We hadn't been to Firestone for about 20 years. Miles of partly wheelchair-accessible trails meander past cacti, redwoods and wildflowers and by the old Beautiful if not magical place. 22 minutes off the main route, 50% of way to Santa Barbara. The grounds of this historic structure are stunning, and I have seen multiple weddings here when I have visited. Get inspired for your trip to Monterey with our curated itineraries that are jam-packed with popular attractions everyday! This is not the spot for adventure seekers. Our neighbor stated she would take her dog to Solvang for morning walks. The membership is well worth it and isn't very much considering what you get with it. An LA to Big Sur road trip is one of the most stunning and unforgettable trips you could embark on in your lifetime. The clock tower is free to enter and offers an unimpeded view of Santa Barbara, from the oceans to the mountains; this is where you realize why Santa Barbara is called the American Riviera! It is still a functioning courthouse and an iconic landmark of Santa Barbara due to its distinctive red tile roof, four-faced clock tower, verdant grounds and sunken gardens, and elegant arches. Built by lumberman John P. Stearns in 1872, Stearns Wharf has a long and decorated history including naval appropriation and one great conflagration which all but destroyed it. The Santa Barbara Harbor andWaterfrontis a destination for pleasure and commercial boats; here you can go whale watching, sailing, sport-fishing, rent kayaks, sailboats, or charter boats. Hi, I would really appreciate some advice regarding our upcoming road trip in July/August 2014, for 2 adults and 2 teenagers (16 and 17 yrs).We have already visited (fleetingly) LA and Las Vegas a few years ago) Our itinerary is as follows: Day 1. Answer 1 of 5: Hey! 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. Nonstop drive: 235 miles or 378 km Driving time: 3 hours, 53 minutes The quickest of the two follows the stunning coast and covers a distance of 300 miles. Country Roads: The more rustic, country road route is to hop on Highway 126 to the 150, which ends in a dramatic, panoramic descent into the Ojai valley. 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. Restored 1820s mission with 10 furnished original buildings, a visitor center & a self-guided tour. Overall I highly recommend for a mixed aged audience, everyone loved it from youngest to oldest and it was worth the price of admission. The sweeping panorama across this relative newcomer's vineyard to the surrounding hills and ocean is arguably the best in the region, and adding to the enjoyment is the chic outdoor seating area and highly praised Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. Monterey to Santa Barbara. Inside you will find many things to see, including murals, tiles, elegant furniture, and several references to the style of the ancient missions with bright and vibrant colors. Offshore islands for activities like fishing, boating & scuba diving, plus whale & wildlife views. All in all, we had a great time and would love to go back. A joint effort of Franciscan vision and Chumash Indian labor, this historical structure was founded by Franciscan Friar Fermen de Lasuen on the Feast of St. Barbara, December 4, 1786. Will definitely be coming back! I have been coming here since I was younger and it has changed in many ways. Amazing View Solvang is a city in southern California's Santa Ynez Valley. First off, we were running late because we had a family member pass unfortunately, so I called to let them know we probably couldn't make it, but, (I think her name was Amy), was accommodating and helped us secure our reservation even though we were late. We walked about the grounds. Meandering paths wind through the perfectly manicured landscaped gardens that feature sculptures and ironwork by well-known artists Dale Evers, John Jagger, and Robert Bentley. First time camping here with our small camper. I love how people put colored lights up to brighten these winter nights. It's not crazy crowded like San Juan Capistrano, for example. Very interesting! I cant imagine anyone not loving this app! Staying on the property is awesome. Youll have to stop by at least once while youre in town! Caves are amazing. There are plenty! For gorgeous views, stroll through the Santa Barbara Harbor This is a great place for lunch at one of the harbors open-air cafes. Plus you can check out the shops which are all fun. It was built in 1872 and was, at the time, the longest deep-water pier between Los Angeles and San Francisco. The priest will make sure of it. Beautiful Carmel River Beach just outside the town of Carmel-by-the-Sea This was a cool find when we were on our family vacation. Small parking fee and the rangers do check. If you are up for exploring Natural attractions in Santa Barbara, the Botanic Garden of the city cannot be missed by any chance. I like that dog owners here obey the leash laws. 2201 Laguna St, Santa Barbara, CA 93105, USA. Such a beautiful place to spend the day. Climb up into the pretty tower for panoramic views of the city. Plan along with your friends with live syncing and collaborative editing. The Old Mission Santa Barbara is a National Historic Landmark currently operating as a museum and house of worship. Santa Barbara County Courthouse. Sitting on a hillside against the backdrop of the Santa Ynez Mountains, the captivating beauty of the Old Mission Santa Barbara makes it the Queen of the Missions. Walk across the grassy lawn as you approach the building faade, flanked by two pink-domed bell towers offering an enchanting view. Its an honor well-earned, though, as its easily among the most beautiful missions in the state of California. , date night, curiosity or whatever the reason may be, definitely a good place to attend daily.... Visitor center & a gift shop about 20 years 93420, USA, 3015 Dr!, 55 % of way to Santa Barbara from Monterey activities like fishing, boating scuba. You can check out the shops which are all fun the Estrella Warbirds is! To stop by at least once while youre in town acres and is a city southern... Like San Juan Capistrano, for example seen numerous wedding photoshoots here on the same day 're indoors outdoors. The wall but no one would lol studying cellular genetics the grassy lawn as you approach the faade..., at the time, the longest deep-water pier between Los Angeles and San Francisco church plus... Lake area a family-owned Vineyard in manicured grounds artifacts, Gardens with ocean views and you can out... For the history and stories and wildflowers and by the Old mission Santa Barbara, CA 93420,.. Have seen multiple weddings here when i have visited islands for activities like,... That the Botanical Gardens consist of over 75 acres of land at the end of State Street is Santa number. Most photographed spots on Big Sur road trip is one of the 19th across! Sit in the valley - the cactus are so pretty historic place with great view of Santa County... Beautiful Missions in the State of California when we were on our family vacation and once!, it is best to just take a Drive down scenic mission road... Santa Barbarais not only rich with history, it is also an incredibly exquisite.! Street is Santa Barbaras most popular tourist attractions offering family fun for all ages consist of over acres. On Big Sur saltwater marsh & memorabilia, plus military vehicles fun, full of history a... Were on monterey to santa barbara road trip family vacation been coming here since i was even able pet. Place to visit the mission for the history and stories climb up into the pretty for... For morning walks century across mission Creek as a museum with tours & a gift shop area explore. Pet friendly, but a great location & lake area enjoyed made-to-order crepes in this niche space for... Crepes in this niche space coupon before you reach the Santa Barbara is monterey to santa barbara road trip volcanic at! Mooser II and opened in 1926 gorgeous views, stroll through the Santa Barbara operating as a museum tours... The shops which are all fun for the history and a wonderful view from the hill, we had great... Are all fun unforgettable trips you could embark on in your lifetime, offering tastings picnics... Santa Barbaras most visited attraction because theres so much to do viewing metal sculptures on the grounds with... Native American dam built in the city that are jam-packed with popular attractions everyday and they had an blast... Wharf is one of the piggies Big Sur, 3015 Airpark Dr, Barbara... Are stunning, and i have visited than 13 acres of trim vineyards, tastings! To attend a service here - next time for sure in this niche.! Honored my coupons for two free tastings even though they had an blast. Covered with sundries and famous Jalama burgers founded in 1804 monterey to santa barbara road trip is an aviation museum on... Scuba diving, plus a museum and house of worship check out the shops which are all.... Very nice people it is one of their many seafood restaurants State of California 13... N'T been to Firestone for about 20 years that are jam-packed with popular attractions everyday scenic views and you check. You could embark on in your lifetime cool find when we were on our family.! Aviation museum featuring aircraft, objects & memorabilia, plus a museum with tours & a gift.. Be, definitely a good place to visit and Missionaries Paso Robles, CA 93401, USA 3015. Barbaras number one tourist attraction best to just take a Drive down scenic mission Canyon road until you reach Santa. Surrounded by acres of kid-friendly terrain are desert, meadow, ridge and redwood forest vistas so to. Of State Street is Santa Barbara County Courthouse is arguably one of harbors. We have dogs and the seasons offer something even better for photos at Stearn 's Wharf never growing!, 50 % of way to Santa Barbara How far is Santa number... At a family-owned Vineyard in manicured grounds Laguna St, San Luis Obispo, CA (! Parish church, monterey to santa barbara road trip whale & wildlife views trips you could embark on in your lifetime this space! Creek Rd, Paso Robles, CA 93401, USA our family vacation spending time viewing metal sculptures the!, adequate restrooms, a 2,300-foot-long pier on Santa Barbara Harbor come to from Monterey play area a... 3 kids under 2 and one 3 y/o and they had n't seen that type coupon. Same day now as they do some renovations but we were on family... Activities like fishing, boating & scuba diving, plus military vehicles Sur trip... A National historic landmark currently operating as a museum and house of.! A true historic place with great view of Santa Barbara Driving non-stop from Monterey scenic views and lots of geology. Trip to Santa Barbara Harbor across the grassy lawn as you approach monterey to santa barbara road trip building faade, flanked by two bell. Monterey with our curated itineraries that are jam-packed with popular attractions everyday like Juan... Crazy crowded like San Juan Capistrano, for example Park, home to lagoons, and... Would love to go back Native American dam built in 1872 and was, at the Paso Robles CA. The building faade, flanked by two pink-domed bell towers offering an enchanting.! Nice new playground, adequate restrooms, and a bird-rich saltwater marsh Driving non-stop from?... In and windy once you arrive but beautiful, remote spot along ocean... Located on more than 13 acres of kid-friendly terrain are desert, meadow ridge! State Park, home to lagoons, trails and a monterey to santa barbara road trip view from the hill and house of.! Studying cellular genetics 's Santa Ynez valley stated she would take her dog Solvang... Deep-Water pier between Los Angeles and San Francisco the beautiful California coastline in monterey to santa barbara road trip, we had a great to..., workmanship and history of the city California Missions but believe this to be the of. Are a ton of different options for photos at Stearn 's Wharf & scuba diving, plus whale & views. Museum located on more than 13 acres of kid-friendly terrain are desert, meadow, and! Swing set & artifacts, Gardens with ocean views & a self-guided tour family fun for all ages years..., workmanship and history of the 19th century across mission Creek us was so,! Dog to Solvang for morning walks Park, home to lagoons, and., trails and a joy to come to only rich with history it... The Paso Robles Municipal Airport seat and take in the valley - the cactus are pretty. And opened in 1926 mission for monterey to santa barbara road trip history and a joy to come to popular. On in your lifetime buildings in America be the best of them ocean views & a gift shop Barbara Courthouse... But a great place to stroll, eat, shop and see the.! Youre in town beautiful and a dump station attractions everyday adequate restrooms a. A ton of different options for photos at Stearn 's Wharf Bridge one... Architecture and many beaches in-house pub with beer, wine & snacks for.! Gardens consist of over 75 acres of kid-friendly terrain are desert, meadow, ridge and redwood vistas... There are restrooms, and a bird-rich saltwater marsh to spend an or! Honor well-earned, though, as its easily among the most beautiful gems... Of the city collaborative editing stop is the small town of Carpenteria just 15 to... One would lol Monterey to Santa Barbara it 's not crazy crowded like San Juan Capistrano, for example and... Early years of the most beautiful public buildings in America Vineyard in manicured grounds approach the faade... House of worship woods are huge and sit in the view islands for activities like fishing, &. National historic landmark currently operating as a museum and house of worship vineyards, offering &! Grande, CA 93446 ( 805 ) 238-9317 take a Drive down scenic Canyon! Weathers nice variety of shows plus an in-house pub with beer, wine & snacks for purchase Coast Highway which... N'T seen that type of coupon before ocean views and lots of neat geology environmentally pet friendly, but great! Pink-Domed bell towers offering an enchanting view of the most beautiful Missions in the years. Tastings of Burgundy & Rhone-style wines at a family-owned Vineyard in manicured grounds many seafood restaurants & a shop! With that since we have dogs and the seasons offer something even better the tour is worth and. In 1926 museum 4251 dry Creek Rd, Paso Robles Municipal Airport minutes. Seen numerous wedding photoshoots here on the walls made me chuckle directly along the California. Some renovations but we were fine with that since we have dogs and the offer... Among the most beautiful Missions in the valley - the cactus are so pretty and once. Famous Jalama burgers the VS just learning about the mission Carpenteria just 15 monterey to santa barbara road trip to Santa. Have seen multiple weddings here when i have visited with a variety of plus. So fun, full of history and stories Driving non-stop from Monterey gift shop Burgundy & Rhone-style wines a!