Why Santa Barbara Makes for an Ideal Warm-Weather Getaway

Dubbed the “American Riviera,” Santa Barbara, Calif., sits between the chaparral-covered slopes of the Santa Ynez mountains and the deep blues of the Pacific Ocean. The attractive city beckons travelers with its agreeable Mediterranean climate, Spanish-inspired architecture, array of outdoor activities and laid-back ambiance. It’s safe to expect clear blue skies during a weekend here; however, rain or shine, Santa Barbara is sure to please.

Eat
With alfresco establishments a dime a dozen in Santa Barbara, there’s no excuse to eat indoors. Bring the whole crew — furry friends included — to kick back on the patio of Lama Dog Tap Room + Bottle Shop, situated in the Funk Zone neighborhood.

It features 20 revolving craft beers on tap, and Nook, a globally inspired restaurant, is only a hop, jump and skip away — all the more reason for sipping on a barrel-aged sour beer while chowing down on blackened rock fish soft tacos.

www.lamadog.com
www.nooksantabarbara.com

Sleep
Open since May 2018, Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort (formerly the Fess Parker Hotel – A DoubleTree by Hilton) embodies California cool. Eight villa-style buildings help make up the 49,000-square-foot hotel, and each is sweetly named for surrounding flora such as azalea, bougainvillea and hibiscus. Though long heralded for its prime location (a short stroll from East Beach and just a half-mile from State Street), the property’s recent multimillion-dollar renovation upped the ante: Chic, coastal decor and a balcony or patio keeps all 360 rooms feeling fresh, and locally sourced fare can be found at on-site restaurants The Roundhouse and Rodney’s Grill.

There is plenty to explore on hotel grounds, including a heated outdoor pool flanked by a bar, a shuffleboard court, a 24-hour fitness center, complimentary bikes, three tennis courts and a spa. Through Sept. 3, additional hotel offerings range from movies set on the hotel’s front lawn to complimentary s’mores and frozen cocktail samplers served poolside.

At check-in, the pet-friendly property presented my puppy, Mozzarella, a goody bag stocked with a pamphlet with suggested hikes and beaches suitable for four-legged pals, along with a tennis ball, treats and more. By the end of my trip, she didn’t want to leave, either.

www.hilton.com

Play 
For thrill-seekers who like a side of adrenaline rush with their fresh air, Santa Barbara Adventure Company’s five-hour Mountains to Shore biking tour ought to do the trick. I boarded a Mercedes van that transported me up the Santa Ynez Mountains, where I got my first glimpse of an unbeatable vista of Santa Barbara: sandstone cliffs tumbling down to the golden coastline, plentiful greenery and striking architecture in between.

Near the top, our group, including a guide, jumped on mountain bikes and began our descent through Gibraltar Canyon, cycling down zigzagging roads. (Another guide follows riders in the van.) Though the tour encompasses 20 miles, the largely downhill ride is easy — as long as you don’t mind a bit of speed.

After working up an appetite, I picnicked near Old Mission Santa Barbara, a beautiful 1786 Spanish building, before riding through buzzing State Street to Stearns Wharf. The pace can be tailored to individual preferences, and the minimum age requirement is 10 years old.

www.sbadventureco.com