I'm going to Santa Barbara!

[Rae Rae]

My fiance has to go there for work for a few days, so I'm going to go with him. I've never been to California before so I'm pretty excited. Anyone have any recommendations on what there is to do when I'm out there? I really want to go to the San Diego Zoo and Sea World, are they with in driving distance of Santa Barbara? Any other recommendations? Also if anyone knows any good clubs, bars, lounges, or restaurants that would be good too. I can't wait! I leave in 2 weeks!

[nvnvgirl]

I haven't been to SB for a long time, but one of my favorite places to eat is the Wine Cask on Anacapa St (one of the main streets there). There's also a place that's at the end of the pier/wharf that's really good, but I forget the name of it! Have a great time!

[Rae Rae]

Originally Posted by nvnvgirl

I haven't been to SB for a long time, but one of my favorite places to eat is the Wine Cask on Anacapa St (one of the main streets there). There's also a place that's at the end of the pier/wharf that's really good, but I forget the name of it! Have a great time!

Thank you! Do you know how far San Diego Zoo is, or Sea World?

[Duncansmom]

you will LOVE LOVE LOVE SB. I am a native californian, born in Santa Monica, and I have been to SB many times. It truly is breathtaking. San Diego is a haul from there, doable, but a haul non the less. I suggest checking out SB and that area, there is so much to do and see there. A ride up PCH (pacific coast hwy) is a must!! Bring a camera with lots of pic b/c it is gorgeous. If you have time, do a day trip up PCH to big bear or even tour the Herst Castle. Carmel is awsome too. Ask your hotel for some visitors info when you check in so you can see what available around town. Another cool thing, is the Madonna Inn. Its a hotel and resturant, that you just have to see to believe. Every room is different, one is the jungle room w/ a stone shower, ect... and the resturant is PEPTO BISMOL PINK! Its a sight I tell ya!

Say hi to my home state for me and have a blast!

[Mere_de_Jambo]

San Diego is south. I would say about 3-4 hour drive depending on traffic. I would plan on doing things around Santa Barbara and around north if you have only a few days.

[Tammyh]

I love SB! Most of my mom's side of the family live there, I spent a lot of my childhood there and that's where we go when we fly down to California to visit. Unfortunately I can't recommend hotels etc because we always stay with family and do family stuff. You definitely want to go down to the beach, they've got a nice restaurant by the marina. It's nice to go have breakfast and then walk the beach. There's also The Brown Pelican restaurant which is right on the beach (a different beach, not by the Marina). I just love the ocean, I could spend the whole time just watching the waves and smelling the salty air. It really is a beautiful town! I'll check with a cousin and see if she has any recommendations. If you're only going for a few days I don't think you'd have enough time to go to Sea World and the San Diego zoo. You'd need a whole day for each one and San Diego is a good 3-4 hour drive depending on traffic. You wouldn't have time to experience Santa Barbara. If you like to shop, there's a lot of shopping to be done down town too. Have fun!

[Yorkiedaze]

While in SB go to Sterns wharf and eat at Moby Dicks. It has the best food and of course you sure can't beat the view. On the wharf are shops and wine tasting. It's all very rustic and casual. You can walk up and down the beach and there is a really nice grassy area with trees for laying around or eating. The Fess Parker Double Tree Inn is right across the street from the beach and allows dogs. Don't dress up to go anywhere at all. It's ALL very casual. It's going to be chilly especially in the mornings and evenings, so bring a jacket.
Traveling down to San Diego is quite a ways and very crowded. You have to go thru LA area and that can make you crazy. If you do brave it, stop in San Juan Capistrano and tour the Mission. It's amazing.
If you travel north to see Hurst Castle, Madonna Inn, Carmel and so on, you may want to take the 1 the skims along the rugged cliffs by the ocean. There is a quaint little restaurant/store that makes you think you went back in time. They also sell T-shirts that read "I survived hwy. 1". The town of Cambria is just wonderful with all the shops, especially the area close to the beach. There's a pizza place (again very rustic) that has the best pizza's we have ever had. (If your going up the road away from the beach on main st. it's on the left. http://www.userinstinct.com/ca/cambr...restaurant.htm
The shops in that area are so charming.
Also go up to Monterey and take in the aquarium. It's jaw dropping, and the street it's on is right on the ocean http://www.mbayaq.org/ then eat at Bubba Gumps that jets right out over the ocean. Great food!
I could list a few hundred wonderful places to see and do from San Diego to San Francisco, but you would have to live here a life time to take them all in. This is the reason I always say living here is like being on a permanent vacation. It's heavenly.

[Tammyh]

Originally Posted by Yorkiedaze

While in SB go to Sterns wharf and eat at Moby Dicks. It has the best food and of course you sure can't beat the view. On the wharf are shops and wine tasting. It's all very rustic and casual. You can walk up and down the beach and there is a really nice grassy area with trees for laying around or eating. The Fess Parker Double Tree Inn is right across the street from the beach and allows dogs. Don't dress up to go anywhere at all. It's ALL very casual. It's going to be chilly especially in the mornings and evenings, so bring a jacket.
Traveling down to San Diego is quite a ways and very crowded. You have to go thru LA area and that can make you crazy. If you do brave it, stop in San Juan Capistrano and tour the Mission. It's amazing.
If you travel north to see Hurst Castle, Madonna Inn, Carmel and so on, you may want to take the 1 the skims along the rugged cliffs by the ocean. There is a quaint little restaurant/store that makes you think you went back in time. They also sell T-shirts that read "I survived hwy. 1". The town of Cambria is just wonderful with all the shops, especially the area close to the beach. There's a pizza place (again very rustic) that has the best pizza's we have ever had. (If your going up the road away from the beach on main st. it's on the left. http://www.userinstinct.com/ca/cambr...restaurant.htm
The shops in that area are so charming.
Also go up to Monterey and take in the aquarium. It's jaw dropping, and the street it's on is right on the ocean http://www.mbayaq.org/ then eat at Bubba Gumps that jets right out over the ocean. Great food!
I could list a few hundred wonderful places to see and do from San Diego to San Francisco, but you would have to live here a life time to take them all in. This is the reason I always say living here is like being on a permanent vacation. It's heavenly.

Wow, great info! We're always visiting with family and don't do a lot of sight seeing when we go down. I'm taking notes from this post, I think we need to start I see you're from Lompoc, we have some friends that just moved there and my cousin lives in Buellton. Thanks for the info!