Lying 11 miles east of Santa Barbara, the time-warped beach town of Carpinteria – so named because Chumash carpenters once built seafaring canoes here – is a laid-back place. You could easily spend an hour or two wandering in and out of antiques shops and beachy boutiques along Linden Ave, downtown’s main street and enjoy a relaxing night at our fantastic Carpinteria Dreamin’ vacation home.
Avoid the summer crowds and join us for some of the best winter activities the Central Coast has to offer!
The sanctuary is a protected birthing habitat for harbor seals from December 1 through May 31st. Tip: Bring binoculars for the best view!
Carpinteria State Beach is an idyllic, mile-long strand where kids can splash around in calm waters and go tide-pooling along the shoreline. In winter, you may spot harbor seals and sea lions hauled out on the sand, especially if you hike over a mile south along the coast to a bluff-top overlook.
This Mexican taqueria stakes its reputation on a rainbow-colored salsa bar with up to a dozen different sauces to drizzle on piquant meat-stuffed, double-rolled corn tortillas – try the jalapeño or pineapple versions. If the spiciness gets you, grab an ice cream from Rainbows next door.
Now is the perfect time to hop on your bike! The Rincon Bike Trail offers both beautiful views of the Santa Barbara Channel. The trail begins at Carpinteria State Beach’s Rincon Point and Rincon County Beach Park, a popular surfing spot just outside of Carpinteria, and heads south between the coast and the highway with a decorative railing separating the trail from traffic.
For over 20 years, Canzelle Alpacas at Lonson Family Farm has specialized in breeding the highest quality alpacas in a varying array of lovely colors. In addition to alpacas, the farm is home to sheep, llamas, dogs, cats and coming soon, chickens! Lonson Family Farms is open weekly for tours.
