Santa Barbara is one of the most visited cities in all of California and that is saying something. Thousands of people are attracted to the city every year because of its one of a kind natural beauty, perfect weather and endless fun and excitement. While it is easy to find ways to spend your time within the city, there are also plenty of fun things to do nearby that make great day trips during any Santa Barbara vacation. These are some of the most fun day trips from Santa Barbara.
Just to the northwest of the center of Santa Barbara, you will find the Santa Ynez valley. Besides the incredible beauty and amazing weather, you will also find some of the most celebrated wineries and vineyards in the area. Needless to say, this high concentration of establishments offers enough leisure opportunities for the whole day. And there are so many ways to enjoy this area. You can, of course, drive around and check out the ones that interest you, but you can also take part in one of the many tours that are offered, whether they be by limo, town car, or bicycle.
Los Padres National Forest is a beautiful stretch of just under two million acres just to the north of Santa Barbara. It is only a short drive from the city, so you can spend most of the day trip enjoying the beauty of forest. This place is unique because it is so diverse, as it offers mountains, beaches, streams, rivers, plains, and so much more. It won't be difficult to find ways to spend the day here, as the forest offers over 1,200 feet of scenic trails. You can take tours, enjoy bird watching, river rafting, and just about any other wilderness activity you can think of.
The Channels Islands National Park lies about 30 miles off of the coast of Santa Barbara. It is the perfect place to take a day trip, as it is only about 40-minute ferry ride from the mainland. Once you are here, you can enjoy an endless array of activities in one of the most beautiful environments that you can imagine. One of the most notable activities is the kayaking excursion, where you can enjoy sea caves as never before. You can also enjoy hiking, diving, snorkeling, fishing, and some of the most fun camping you will ever do.
There are countless more ways to spend a day in Santa Barbara and each is more exciting than the last. Make sure to check out these activities and so much more during your next trip to Santa Barbara.
