Santa Barbara is a beautiful seaside town located at the base of the Santa Ynez Mountains. With its stunning natural beauty, charming Spanish-style architecture, and vibrant arts scene, it’s easy to fall in love with this place. The beaches, lined with palm trees, create the perfect vacation atmosphere. This is why it’s often referred to as the “American Riviera.” The Mediterranean climate and relaxed yet sophisticated vibe definitely live up to that name!
Getting to Santa Barbara is very easy, thanks to two Amtrak routes: the Pacific Surfliner and the Coast Starlight. One of the coolest features is that the Santa Barbara Amtrak station is just a few blocks from the beach and Stearns Wharf. You can dive into the fun by exploring the trendy Funk Zone and the Urban Wine Trail, just a short walk from the station. Additionally, there are plenty of hotels, shops, and restaurants downtown, all conveniently located within easy reach.
In this blog post, we’re excited to share our experience on the Amtrak Coast Starlight route and everything we loved about Santa Barbara. We’ll give you the lowdown on where to stay, what to do, and the best spots to grab food and drinks!
Riding the Amtrak Coast Starlight
We booked our trip on the Coast Starlight, which travels between Seattle and Los Angeles, passing through vibrant cities like Portland, San Francisco, Sacramento, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara. The train offers sleeping cars, a coach class, a dining car, and a Sightseer Lounge/Café where you can relax and enjoy the beautiful views.
When we boarded the Coast Starlight, we were happy to discover that we had a roomette on the right side of the train. It offered a west-facing window with perfect views of the stunning California coastline, particularly around San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara. Along the journey, we also enjoyed some lovely views of rural areas in Oregon and California, although we encountered our share of less scenic urban and industrial landscapes.
As we traveled through the Shasta area, we missed seeing the mountain from our side of the train. If you’re on this route and find yourself on the right side, be sure to grab a seat on the left side of the observation car for stunning views of Mt. Shasta to the east. Additionally, if you’re heading north, sit on the left for ocean views and on the right for the best views of Mt. Shasta!
Arriving in Santa Barbara
Our train arrived at the Santa Barbara Amtrak Station just after sunset. The Spanish Mission Revival-style station appeared magical under the starlit sky, surrounded by palm trees. Built in 1902 by the Southern Pacific Railroad, the station received a renovation in 2000 and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places!
The station is located right in the heart of town, making it very easy to walk to our hotel. It was just a short distance away, allowing us to check in and settle into our room quickly. We were excited to take an evening stroll and explore this charming town. It didn’t take long for us to realize there is so much to do in this beachside gem. Even during our three-night stay, we felt like we had only just scratched the surface!
Best Things to Do and See
Stearns Wharf: Explore California’s oldest working wharf, offering views of the harbor and plenty of opportunities to spot marine life.
Beaches: Enjoy volleyball, picnics, and swimming at East Beach or head to Butterfly Beach for peaceful sunset views.
Santa Barbara Harbor: Rent a kayak or stand-up paddleboard for a harbor cruise.
Shopping: Stroll through State Street’s shops and art galleries, Funk Zone boutique stores, and specialty shops on Stearns Wharf.
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History: Discover exhibits on local natural history, including mammals, birds, and marine life.
Biking: Rent a bike and explore the waterfront, State Street, and the Cabrillo Bike Path.
Wine Tasting: Visit the Funk Zone for urban wine tasting experiences. The Urban Wine Trail Guide has more details.
Santa Barbara Mission: Visit this historical landmark, built in 1786 and renowned for its stunning architecture.
Douglas Family Preserve: Explore the trails and take in the breathtaking ocean views at this 70-acre park.
Where to Stay
Avania Inn – Located at 128 Castillo St, Avania Inn is a more affordable hotel in a premium location just one block from the waterfront. Offering a Free Hot Breakfast buffet, Pillow Top Premium Beds, Microfridge in rooms, and an on-site Heated Pool & Spa.
Harbor House Inn – 17 One-of-a-kind studios located a block from West Beach at 104 Bath St. Complimentary use of 3-speed cruising bicycles, Beach chairs, towels & umbrellas are included.
Hotel Santa Barbara – This historic hotel is located in the heart of downtown at 533 State Street, close to shopping and restaurants.
Harbor View Inn – At 28 W Cabrillo Blvd, this is another boutique hotel with oceanfront views, a heated pool, a gift shop, and a fitness center.
Marina Beach Motel – Family owned since 1976, Marina Beach Motel is located at 21 Bath St., in the heart of Santa Barbara’s Harbor, and offers complimentary breakfast and bikes for guests to use.
Where to Eat and Drink
Toma Restaurant and Bar – Romantic waterfront bistro, 324 W Cabrillo Blvd. Serving Italian and Mediterranean-inspired dishes, a full bar, and handcrafted cocktails.
The Lark – This former fish market is located in the Funk Zone arts district at 131 Anacapa St.. This restaurant offers a variety of meals made from locally sourced foods and craft cocktails with beautiful indoor and outdoor seating areas; The Lark was named for the sleek overnight Pullman train of the Southern Pacific Railroad that serviced Santa Barbara.
Boathouse at Hendry’s Beach – An oceanfront restaurant at 2981 Cliff Dr., offering fresh seafood, award-winning cocktails, and seating feet from the ocean. You can’t go wrong with this choice!
The Black Sheep – A modern-classic California-French Pub serving locally sourced food paired with incredible wines and craft beer. Located in Old Town Santa Barbara on 18 East Cota Street, this restaurant features “The Chef’s Table,” with rotating guest chefs offering exciting tasting menus and world-class wines.
Brophy Bros.- A casual seafood restaurant located on the dock at 119 Harbor Way. A great spot to enjoy a bowl of clam chowder or fish and chips, with harbor views.
Finney’s – Located at 35 State St., this restaurant serves delicious tacos, burgers, craft beer, and cocktails in an upscale bar atmosphere. It’s just a short walk from the train station.
Chad’s Cafe – A family-friendly restaurant serving delicious breakfasts, lunches, and Bloody Marys. It’s located across from the beach at 216 W. Cabrillo Blvd.
Jeannine’s at the Shore – Located at 1 State St., this excellent bakery serves amazing breakfast food. It has outdoor seating, ocean views, and a sweet fountain to add to the charming ambiance.
Brass Bear Brewing & Bistro – Located inside the Funk Zone, one block from the beach at 28 Anacapa St E, this bistro serves high-quality craft beer and wines, delicious sandwiches and tacos, and an outside patio that’s perfect for a relaxed group gathering!
How to Get Around
Santa Barbara is easy to navigate, offering various convenient, low-cost options such as:
- Beach Cruiser and Bike Rentals from Wheel Fun Rentals or Cal Coast Adventures
- Many hotels offer complimentary bikes
- Santa Barbara Trolley
- Metropolitan Transit
- Downtown-Waterfront Shuttle
- Uber and Lyft
- Taxi Services
- Some hotels offer courtesy shuttle service
- Commercial Shuttle Service –
- Santa Barbara Airbus (to and from LAX)
- Central Coast Shuttle
Best Time to Visit
There’s really no bad time to check out Santa Barbara! If you’re all about the beach, summer is the way to go. But if you’d rather skip the crowds, late spring and early fall are perfect times to visit, with plenty of sunshine and nice weather. Winter can be a bit cooler and might have some rain, but it’s a relaxed time to visit since you’ll find lower prices and fewer people around.
Takeaway
We had a wonderful time visiting Santa Barbara, which offers a variety of activities, stunning views, and easy access to everything. It’s the perfect getaway for wine enthusiasts, food lovers, and art aficionados. Santa Barbara’s beautiful coastline is ideal for surfing and kayaking, while the nearby mountains offer excellent hiking and biking trails with breathtaking vistas.
The convenient train station located in the heart of the city makes it an excellent destination for travelers who want to experience its beauty without the hassle of driving.
This guide will help you plan your next trip to Santa Barbara and encourage you to include a scenic train ride as your mode of transport. With beautiful landscapes and the joy of traveling by rail, we’re confident you’ll find it to be a memorable experience.
Please drop a comment or let us know if you have questions below!
