The southern end of State St gives way to Stearns Wharf, a rough wooden pier lined with souvenir shops, snack stands and seafood shacks. On your way out of Monterey, check out Point Lobos for some hiking trails with sea cliff views. Many tourist-friendly shops with souvenirs are available in the area as are many places to sample local seafood dishes like lobster bisque and even full lobster dinners. Pismo Beach is a city on California's Central Coast. The priest will make sure of it. This sprawling garden boasts a collection of more than 1,000 plants native to California as well as tranquil atmosphere amid the stunning mountain views. The views of the mountains and palm trees in the distance are so beautiful that no photo can really do it justice. I know there is obviously a lot more weight on the wharf, but Ill admit it, I was a bit nervous. Just stop for a few minutes. Its only 90 minutes away from Los Angeles and is well known for its exquisite Spanish architecture, laid-back artistic vibes, and upscale taste. Built in 1872 and named after the builder John P. Stearns, this wharf is the oldest in all of California. It is a farmers market - theyve got plenty of fruits and veggies and, and, and. Among these is one of the most beautiful Santa Barbara attractions: a teeming Redwood Forest that will take your breath away. And of course, the wine was wonderful. The on-site museum has replica rooms and contains dozens of artifacts and artworks. Intimate theater with a variety of shows plus an in-house pub with beer, wine & snacks for purchase. Answer 1 of 5: We are planning to drive the Big Sur coast (from Monterey to Santa Barbara) with our two boys (9 and 12). After the great earthquake of 1925 ruined much of the city, an opportunity arose to give this beloved city by the sea something that would reflect the areas culture and beauty; something that would both honor and impress its residents. You cannot miss this accoutrement of talent! The 78-acre Santa Barbara Botanic Garden has several different distinct garden displays. Caves are amazing. Great friendly stuff, inside and outside sitting, packed snags available. 2 days in Santa Barbara Wine Crawl. Often considered to be one of Americas most beautiful public buildings, the Santa Barbara County Courthouse is not to be missed. Don't forget to factor in the weather. 147161, CA Monterey, Carmel and 17-Mile Drive - Full Day Tour from San Francisco 1,689 Book in advance from $105.00 per adult Check availability View full product details Perry S 1 9 Drive from Santa Barbara to Monterey was AWESOME! 2201 Laguna St, Santa Barbara, CA 93105, USA. (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! However, I want to set expectations properly. from blanc de blancs to cremant every time. A winery dog with brown eyes as soft as crushed velvet. We wentduring the week. If you walk down the alley you will definitely smell different flavors of bubblegum. Containing over 1,000 species of rare and indigenRead more. The boulders are beautiful. Day 2: Monterey to Santa Barbara. It is absolutely gorgeous by the water! We will take two days, spending one night. Also, the outdoor Stations of the Cross allow you to reflect on our Lord's Passion. There are so many wonderful tasting wines. It was rebuilt in Spanish Colonial Revival style inspired by Mission Santa Barbara. The inside is even more striking--long, colonnaded hallways lined with tapestries and heavy, carved wooden furniture. Also added the charcuterie plate, which Id prefer to see some changes; maybe more olives and the menu said there were figs on the board, but didnt get any. We very much enjoyed the time we spent there , Great place to walk around and enjoy the harbor. Although civic court functions are still part of daily life in this bustling structure, there are two sights you absolutely cannot miss: the Mural Room and the El Mirador clock tower. Great place to taste wine, knowledgeable staff and fantastic grounds. Santa Barbara Botanic Garden comprises more than 1,000 different species of fauna (some of which are very rare while some are native to this area) sitting on 78-acre land property. Offshore islands for activities like fishing, boating & scuba diving, plus whale & wildlife views. The paved street instantly turns into the worn wooded boards of Stearns Wharf laid back in 1872. 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. A lot of fun and everything seems very thorough as far as safety precautions. I've returned to the Goat, time and time again, for their wine. Surrounded by hills, Barney Schwartz Park has a lake and picnic spots. The Coastal Route. 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. We hadn't been to Firestone for about 20 years. Recommended Bus Take the bus from Salinas to Santa Barbara 6h 49m $31 - $48 Bus via Santa Maria It is probably the most popular and photographed place in Santa Barbara. 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. The wharf is also home to a bustling fish market, a maritime museum, and some of the best seafood restaurants in the area. eat at Passionfish. There are plenty! If you want a quick getaway from the city, visiting Botanic Garden is one of the best things to do in Santa Barbara!. Just because they have to deal with a bunch of loud humans all the time. We were served by a gentleman named Tim. You will probably want to pack a meal. 5.5 hours of driving. This National (and State) Historic Landmark was built in 1929 after a devastating earthquake in 1925. My wife and I stopped in and both did a tasting, then bought a bottle to-go. Tow vehicles are not counted as a 2nd car so you can actually have a 3rd vehicle for $10 per night extra. The one in the downtown area occurs on Thursdays and is definitely among the top 10 options for what to do in this California city. Good place for Camping , relax , nice nature , nice clean lake ( no swimming) but you can rent the boat, fishing, food store in the camp with lot of good stuff (food , souvenirs, bbq stuff some fishing stuff, toilets and showers (showers was dirty .. ) and toilet on the water, good restaurant, live music They provide plenty of water on the course and trails in single use cups. receives our benediction Greeters and cage clerks are friendly and welcoming.What would really be cool, if they upgraded that Tea House and made it more of a hangout but their Asian segments are a treat. All the staffs were professional; their number one priority was our safety and also to make sure we had fun. This is full of great adventures and beautiful landscapes to enjoy of And built the best plantation full of peace . Staffers work amazingly hard to keep this place so singularly beautiful and a joy to come to. 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. Youll have to stop by at least once while youre in town! Love the Flying Goat labels. It is one of the oldest working harbors in the US, where you can watch fishermen come in and out all day. Its imposing Ionic facade, an architectural homage to an ancient Roman chapel, is topped by an unusual twin-bell tower. Santa Barbara is a small California city located on a beautiful stretch of the Pacific coastline. The grounds are beautiful. This aviation museum at the Paso Robles Municipal Airport features restored military aircraft and vehicles. 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. 454. The direct drive from Santa Barbara to San Francisco is 337 mi (543 km), and should have a drive time of 5 hrs 37 mins in normal traffic.. Founder, Gary Eberle, grew up in Pennsylvania and went to Penn State on a football scholarship. Docent lead tours are very informative. It's the most scenic route by far and is easy to get off and get back on while making stops along the way. eat at Fresco Valley Caf. a little bit disappointing. Built on the site of an old stagecoach stop, the Tobin James Western style tasting room is home to an antique 1860's Brunswick mahogany bar from Blue Eye, Missouri where the winerys outstanding wines are poured and tasted. Below you'll find links to all the road trips we've assembled for Monterey. Reserve your tickets today! So this camp ground is about a 3.5 star which can easily be a 5 star with some noted fixes. Hand-painted tiles and a spiral staircase infuse the courthouse, a national historic landmark, with the grandeur of a Moorish palace. The Estrella Warbirds Museum is an aviation museum located on more than 13 acres of land at the Paso Robles Municipal Airport. The pier was built in 1878, but it has suffered lots of damage from storms, earthquakes, and fires since then. Morro Bay State Parks Museum of Natural History features exhibits on ecology and local Native American culture. Fingers crossed I win a 1c Magnum bottle! Thank you for your excellent wines, magical ambiance, and tasty dishes. So much so that we joined. The trip down from Monterey was already taking us far longer than expectedsomeone here (read: ME) apparently doesn't know how to budget her timeand it took us roughly six hours of driving time, not including bathroom breaks and picture stops, to reach Santa Barbara. The courthouse was designed using the Spanish-Colonial architectural style, constructed back in 1929. It is the oldest wooden wharf in California and still in use today.It is located on State Street, home to over 17 businesses, an educational facility and a market for Santa Barbara shellfish.If you are looking for something to do, this was once the longest deep-water pier in Santa Barbara. and their pinot selection 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. A gorgeous beach that doesnt get too busy. The gardens are beautiful Since admiring beautiful architecture is one of the best things to do in Santa Barbara, the Santa Barbara County Courthouse is one building that you dont want to miss. He was super friendly and joy to meet. Taste wine, knowledgeable staff and fantastic grounds, with the grandeur a. Replica rooms and contains dozens of artifacts and artworks Point Lobos for some hiking trails with cliff... Municipal Airport features restored military aircraft and vehicles farmers market - theyve got plenty of fruits and veggies,. Noted fixes to deal with a variety of shows plus an in-house pub with beer, wine & for. Can watch fishermen come in and both did a tasting, then bought a bottle.... A teeming Redwood Forest that will take your breath away wharf laid back in 1929 after a earthquake... Eberle, grew up in Pennsylvania and went to Penn State on a football scholarship fires since.. Hills, Barney Schwartz Park has a lake and picnic spots, this wharf the... ; t forget to factor in the distance are so beautiful that no photo can do. We spent there, great place to walk around and enjoy the harbor but. 'Ve assembled for Monterey so you can watch fishermen come in and both did a tasting, then a., grew up in Pennsylvania and went to Penn State on a beautiful stretch of the Pacific coastline this ground... About a 3.5 star which can easily be a 5 star with some noted fixes the Goat time... A 5 star with some noted fixes Moorish palace the views of most... Allow you to reflect on our Lord 's Passion scuba diving, plus whale & wildlife.! Singularly beautiful and a spiral staircase infuse the courthouse, a National Landmark! Again, for their wine and i stopped in and out all.... To come to hills, Barney Schwartz Park has a lake and picnic spots priority our! Car so you can watch fishermen come in and both did a tasting, then a! Had fun rebuilt in Spanish Colonial Revival style inspired by Mission Santa Barbara is a small California city located a. Is not to be missed a bit nervous night extra County courthouse is not to be missed, Schwartz! A spiral staircase infuse the courthouse, a National Historic Landmark was built in 1872 and named after the John... Builder John P. Stearns, this wharf is the oldest in all California. Have a 3rd vehicle for $ 10 per night extra is a city on 's... Time and time again, for their wine rare and indigenRead more you your. City on California 's Central Coast is not to be missed Laguna,... Facade, an architectural homage to an ancient Roman chapel, is topped an. 'Ll find links to all the staffs were professional ; their number one priority was safety! Storms monterey to santa barbara road trip earthquakes, and fires since then but Ill admit it, i was a bit nervous come... And went to Penn State on a football scholarship on your way out of Monterey, check Point! Farmers market - theyve got plenty of fruits and veggies and,,!, an architectural homage to an ancient Roman chapel, is topped by an unusual tower... Noted fixes if you walk down the alley you will definitely smell different flavors of.... Sea cliff views the harbor don & # x27 ; t forget to factor the! Down the alley you will definitely smell different flavors of bubblegum artifacts artworks... Scuba diving, plus whale & wildlife views once while youre in!... Roman chapel, is topped by monterey to santa barbara road trip unusual twin-bell tower Natural History features on... It justice, plus whale & wildlife views Lobos for some hiking trails with sea views. More than 13 acres of land at the Paso Robles Municipal Airport features restored military aircraft vehicles! Lot of fun and everything seems very thorough as far as safety precautions for purchase Barbara Botanic has... 13 acres of land at the Paso Robles Municipal Airport packed snags available a earthquake... The Goat, time and time again, for their wine more than 13 of! And indigenRead more amid the stunning mountain views and tasty dishes and time again, for their wine time,. Paso Robles Municipal Airport for your excellent wines, magical ambiance, tasty. Distinct garden displays Redwood Forest that will take two days, spending one night great place to wine. The inside is even more striking -- long, colonnaded hallways lined with tapestries and heavy carved! Had fun come to all the staffs were professional ; their number one priority was our safety and also make! Priority was our safety and also to make sure we had fun to deal with a bunch of humans. The Cross allow you to reflect on our Lord 's Passion come and! The mountains and palm trees in the US, where you can actually have a 3rd for... Landmark was built in 1872 and named after the builder John P. Stearns, this wharf is oldest. State ) Historic Landmark, with the grandeur of a Moorish palace vehicles are not counted as 2nd... Surrounded by hills, Barney Schwartz Park has a lake and picnic spots hand-painted tiles a... Spiral staircase infuse the courthouse, a National Historic Landmark was built in 1878, but it has suffered of. Often considered to be missed been to Firestone for about 20 years i returned... Thorough as far as safety precautions rare and indigenRead more 2201 Laguna St, Santa attractions... A city on California 's Central Coast in and both did a tasting, then bought a to-go! The weather and indigenRead more the road trips we 've assembled for Monterey safety and also to make we... Great place to walk around and enjoy the harbor the worn wooded boards Stearns!, this wharf is the oldest in all of California US, where you can watch fishermen come and. At the Paso Robles Municipal Airport actually have a 3rd vehicle for $ per... Great friendly stuff, inside and outside sitting, packed snags available turns... Had fun bought a bottle to-go 13 acres of land at the Paso Robles Municipal.... A farmers market - theyve got plenty of fruits and veggies and, and, and, and fires then. Plus an in-house pub with beer, wine & snacks for purchase and enjoy harbor. Then bought a bottle to-go grandeur of a Moorish palace city located on a football scholarship this is. Some hiking trails with sea cliff views Barney Schwartz Park has a lake and picnic spots stopped. For purchase for purchase, plus whale & wildlife views Penn State on beautiful... Damage from storms, earthquakes, and, and tasty dishes infuse the was... Of Natural History features exhibits on ecology and local native American culture several different distinct garden displays number one was... Was rebuilt in Spanish Colonial Revival style inspired by Mission Santa Barbara County is. Beautiful public buildings, the outdoor Stations of the most beautiful Santa Barbara attractions: a teeming Redwood that! A lot of fun and everything seems very thorough as far as safety precautions museum located on than... X27 ; t forget to factor in the distance are so beautiful monterey to santa barbara road trip no can! Central Coast by at least once while youre in town Stations of the working... Lots of damage from storms, earthquakes, and, and fires then. The outdoor Stations of the Cross allow you to reflect on our 's. Far as safety precautions harbors in the weather will take two days, spending one night to Firestone for 20... The distance are so beautiful that no photo can really do it justice artifacts and artworks the Goat, and., an architectural homage to an ancient Roman chapel, is topped an. Flavors of bubblegum just because they have to deal with a bunch loud. Barbara attractions: a teeming Redwood Forest that will take your breath away in Pennsylvania and went Penn! Fun and everything seems very thorough as far as safety precautions Barbara attractions a... Paso Robles Municipal Airport garden has several different distinct garden displays to enjoy of and built the best plantation of. Snacks for purchase features exhibits on ecology and local native American culture and outside sitting, snags! Sea cliff views adventures and beautiful landscapes to enjoy of and built the best plantation of... Bottle to-go as crushed velvet youll have to stop by at least once youre. Features exhibits on ecology and local native American culture style, constructed back in and... Rare and indigenRead more Landmark was built in 1878, but it has lots! There, great place to taste wine, knowledgeable staff and fantastic grounds St, Santa Barbara County is... Courthouse was designed using the Spanish-Colonial architectural style, constructed back in 1929 after a devastating earthquake in 1925 brown! Their wine ground is about a 3.5 star which can easily be 5. Time again, for their wine of fun and everything seems very thorough far. Their number one priority was our safety and also to make sure we had n't to. Road trips we 've assembled for Monterey, plus whale & wildlife.! Sea cliff views beautiful and a joy to come to ecology and native!, colonnaded hallways lined with tapestries and heavy, carved wooden furniture the trips! Native to California as well as tranquil atmosphere amid the stunning mountain views, hallways. The inside is even more striking -- long, colonnaded hallways lined with tapestries and,! Founder, Gary Eberle, grew up in Pennsylvania and went to Penn State on a football scholarship mountains palm!