The harbor houses restaurants, shops, the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, and over 1000 vessels. You can camp here, on the main grounds not on the beach itself. We will take two days, spending one night. I have a USA GPS and I just updated the maps and I'm cross referencing google maps. This is a beautiful Spanish Colonial Revival style building, still in operation (even if it was built in 1929) and defined by Charles Moore as the most magnificent Spanish Colonial Revival structure ever built. Scenic valley with several communities & full tourism amenities amid green hills & grapevines. Enjoy the road stretch from Morro Bay on the south, along the Big Sur coastline, up to Monterey at the north. 22 minutes off the main route, 14% of way to Santa Barbara. But, alas, such is things. Road trip from Monterey/Carmel to Santa Barbara 5 years ago Save Hi there, Need advice (this is part of a bigger road trip San Fran to Temecula ) We will be spending 2 nights in Monterey / Carmel (14/15 Dec), then 1 night in Santa Barbara (16 Dec) etc. A gorgeous beach that doesnt get too busy. All in all, we had a great time and would love to go back. Its also a launch point for lots of fun family activities, including sailing, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, fishing, renting a boat or jet ski, or going on a sunset or whale watching cruise. I DEFINITELY RECOMMEND this place for all group types from families to friends. The museum is named after the Estrella Army Air Field, which was built in 1943 and eventually became the citys municipal airport. Built in search to find the best places so you dont have to open 50 more tabs. From the inside out, its one of the best examples of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture and included on the National Register of Historic Places. You absolutely have to wear a mask while indoors. The gift shop is adorable and the plants. We love going there. With a history dating back to the early 1870s, Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara is the Golden States most aged wooden wharf and has been in continuous use since it was constructed. The drive between San Francisco and San Simeon is more appealing than one might imagine. They produce reasonably priced wines with an even more generous military and veterans discount. The garden has been around for nearly 100 years and even includes a stand of majestic California Redwoods that stretch hundreds of feet into the blue skies above. The paved street instantly turns into the worn wooded boards of Stearns Wharf laid back in 1872. Loved our lazy walk here watching surfers and taking in the air and views! This Spanish-Colonial style courthouse finished construction in 1929. Although the courthouse still functions as it was meant to, you can take a docent-led tour through the building and admire the beautiful architecture and mosaic tiles throughout. 1929 tile-roof courthouse complex known for a mural room & Spanish Colonial Revival embellishments. Beautiful Carmel River Beach just outside the town of Carmel-by-the-Sea Very interesting! Santa Barbara County Courthouse. Paso Robles Pioneer Museum features historical relics like farming tools, a 19th-century schoolhouse and a reconstructed jail. 2. Bubblegum Alley is a rather odd attraction, and yet visiting it just to see it once is one of the best things to do in San Luis Obispo. Vineyards and farms, as well as the Dutch town of Solvang surround this mission. We thought the grounds and building were beautiful and peaceful. The 78-acre Santa Barbara Botanic Garden has several different distinct garden displays. Our neighbor stated she would take her dog to Solvang for morning walks. They have an indoor car museum that is no touching but there is one little car to climb in there too. It is so much fun!!!! The Monarch Butterfly Grove shelters monarch butterflies that migrate to Pismo State Beach in the cooler months. Give yourself the gift of a visitand a limerick. It has a great visitor center that is super educational. As you make it to Stearns Wharf head to Deep Sea Tasting Room, a wine tasting room serving Santa Barbara grown grapes. The closest day trip to Santa Barbara is the small town of Carpenteria just 15 minutes to the south. Staying on the property is awesome. We both did a tasting and bought a bottle. Big Sur is a rugged stretch of Californias central coast between Carmel and San Simeon. What an awesome experience! 1. Absolutely loved this museum! Discover the top things to do in an 8-day road trip across California's Central Coast, including Santa Cruz, Monterey Bay, Paso Robles, and Oxnard. It was engaging and entertaining. This is a very kid friendly place to visit. This zipline course is awesome. Take a step back in time when you visit the Old Mission Santa Barbara. Great little aviation museum with ties to Hollywood. This is Santa Barbaras top spot to see graceful architecture and to take in beautiful views from the clocktower. Total Distance : 217 miles. This is an active Catholic parish that is beautifully maintained. Serene stretch of coast & picnicking spot with a snug, basic campground & scenic views. Theyll see native plants, an authentic Japanese teahouse and lots of critters. What turned us sour on our stay was the bartender. Originally named after its builder, John P. Stearns, this wooden wharf is home to some of the best shops and restaurants in the city. It was a really great experience here at Tobin James! Oh, the variety of food is outstanding with so many restaurants serving their specialties up and down the blocked-off main street. It sits on the popular State Street, where it is home to more than 17 different businesses, an educational facility, and a market specifically for Santa Barbara shellfish. The Santa Barbara Botanic Gardenis essentially a living museum, featuring 78 acres of a variety of more than a thousand native California plants. We very much enjoyed the time we spent there , Great place to walk around and enjoy the harbor. Plan your itinerary and explore the offbeat destinations of the Central Coast. At one point the bar tender left us to talk to a fellow employee. I went solely to get a couple of bottles of wine my sister said she loves from Fess Parker Winery. WOW! After your jaunt along State Street, youll come across one of Santa Barbaras most iconic landmarks: the Stearns Wharf. I've been to a lot of Missions. The top cities between Monterey and Santa Barbara are Paso Robles, Big Sur, San Luis Obispo, Cambria, Solvang, Pismo Beach, and Morro Bay. Gas from Monterey to Santa Barbara would cost around $24 to $56 USD, depending on your vehicle's fuel efficiency. The gift shop has some pretty cool souvenirs. So let's start with stops on highway 1 and go from there. Theres plenty of parking and a near by park. The truth is, to get to Carmel it's only 8.5 miles, however the road loops around making it 17-miles total. Day parking is $10 for vehicles and more for RVs. Country Roads: The more rustic, country road route is to hop on Highway 126 to the 150, which ends in a dramatic, panoramic descent into the Ojai valley. If you are a lover of nature and its beauty, you first stop should be the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. The grotto area depicts San Juan Diego kneeling before Our Lady of Guadalupe. The sites are nice some were pretty muddy after the big storms. Walk past the line at LilToot Water Taxi to reach the Moby Dick Restaurant, named for being able to spot whales from your dinner table as opposed to whats served. If you walk down the alley you will definitely smell different flavors of bubblegum. Maybe trail cycling is allowed but I haven't experienced any cyclists trying to run me off the path, which occurrence can be more than simply worrisome in other nature reserves. A Santa Barbara road trip provides a glimpse at one of the most scenic and iconic roads in the world, the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH).The PCH offers stunning views of the ocean and coastline, with plenty of opportunities to pull over and take in the views. Via: Where should I stop along the way? Across 75 acres of kid-friendly terrain are desert, meadow, ridge and redwood forest vistas. 4.5 hours of driving. drive for about 43 minutes. Military aviation museum featuring aircraft, objects & memorabilia, plus military vehicles. This winery is beautiful, and the staff are amazing--They gave us great recommendations about things to do and see in the area, and were incredibly nice. Learn MoreView Website. The famous Stearns Wharf is a vital attraction in Santa Barbara. It was rebuilt in Spanish Colonial Revival style inspired by Mission Santa Barbara. Considered one of the most beautiful government buildings in America, Santa Barbara's historic Spanish-Moorish style courthouse draws thousands of visitors each year and is actually the second courthouse on this site, constructed after an earthquake damaged the original Greek revival building in 1925. The Estrella Warbirds Museum is an aviation museum located on more than 13 acres of land at the Paso Robles Municipal Airport. It is a farmers market - theyve got plenty of fruits and veggies and, and, and. Check them out here: Yes! Visiting the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is definitely one of the must-do things if youre a nature-lover. Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is a collection of different types of gardens. You can check the road conditions from Monterey to Santa Barbara. Previously, the town had gone by the names of Slabtown, Rosaville, San Simeon, and Santa Rosa. A lot of fun and everything seems very thorough as far as safety precautions. Sand was soft and clean and lots of seaweed at tide lines. Stearns Wharf was finished in 1872 and is now the oldest of its kind in California, being the only wooden wharf that continues to be used in this modern day. Founder, Gary Eberle, grew up in Pennsylvania and went to Penn State on a football scholarship. She loved having her face scratched. But never attempt to take nor steal clams from the pier I literally saw a entire family get embarrassed belongings searched as well but I still enjoyed my stay on the beach The garden is in existence for over a century now and has witnessed several incidents and developments that shaped present-day Santa Barbara County. You could check out Eberle Winery and Sculpterra Winery, or the always popular Estrella Warbird Museum! Great atmosphere and very nice ocean views from the pier. Tons of food and options. Huge parking lot on the side. This is the perfect pit stop for getting out to enjoy the sun and natural beauty on your way to San Luis Obispo. A pioneer of Paso Robles, Gary Eberle founded Eberle Winery more than 40 years ago. We went during Christmas and there was a small display on the lawn with small farm animals. Large, legendary pier with steps to the beach, popular for fishing & illuminated for night surfing. If wildflower meadows, shady redwood groves, and easy walking paths is your style then look no further than the Santa Barbara Botanic Gardens. Just no dogs allowed on the beach side. At the time of construction, Stearns Wharf was the longest pier between Los Angeles and San Francisco and today, it is home to many specialty shops, restaurants, as well as the Sea Center, and the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. We wasted no time leaving. Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $185 for one-way flights and $225 for round trip, for the period specified. This place is a MUST if you want some great California wine. The Santa Barbara County Courthouse in sunny California has been a source of much civic pride since 1850, its establishment as a small Greek-Revival Courthouse that was the seat of the local government. Well equipped it all your needs. Save Mission Santa Barbara to your lists, We were looking to sight-see so we hopped off and walked over to the Santa Barbara Courthouse, the most elegant and therefore photographed of its kind. Day use fee or first-come first-serve camping after reservations fill. While your dog might not go on the cave tour, there is a scenic deck area with plenty of space for them to roam or even play with the winerys resident poodles. It's downtown near other restaurants. This was my first wine tasting experience. Answer 1 of 5: Hey! No tasting (odd for me), but did buy a glass of wine to enjoy while sitting out on their lawn under the oak trees. 5.5 hours of driving. My wife and I stopped in and both did a tasting, then bought a bottle to-go. The Downtown SLO Farmers Market is run by the San Luis Obispo County Farmers Market Association, which holds a total of five different markets during the week. 1 / 12. Coffee and food options all within walking distance as well. The church always holds religious services and in the adjoining building, there is a very interesting museum where you can learn more about the history of the relationship between the Franciscan friars and the Native Americans through historical artifacts and sacred and secular objects from that time period. The grounds of the current mission are located on the crest between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains. Renowned as the crown jewel of the California Missions, this site has been painstakingly preserved. Wanderlog makes planning a trip so effortless. The Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens consist of over 75 acres and is a stunning outdoor area to explore in the city. One of the first, if not the first wineries & vineyards in this area. They are back & FANTASTIC! Take a soul-satisfying jaunt around this 40-acre botanic garden, devoted to Californias native flora. There is an amazing amount of boats docked here . This is the perfect pit stop for getting out to enjoy the sun and natural beauty on your way to San Luis Obispo. The beach was spectacular and great to explore. Tobin James crafts intense fruit driven wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrahs, Zinfandel, Merlot, Chardonnay, and Dessert Zinfandel, all of which visitors can sample in the inviting tasting room that features a grand, 150-year-old bar. Morro Bay is known for (drum roll) a huge rock and 3 smokestacks (and cute otters). Loved it. After getting our fill of wine, we started the next day with a trip to Pismo Beach, which is famous for its Monarch Butterfly Grove that is filled with butterflies from late October through February. The food is amazing. Good amount of parking so it should not be a problem at least when I went in the morning. Monterey to Santa Barbara. No lines to get in. The drive from Monterey to Santa Barbara is 250 miles (403 km). Morro Bay State Parks Museum of Natural History features exhibits on ecology and local Native American culture. I will definitely be choosing Presqu'ile again. On hot days it's not so easy to take your time and explore but it's a wide and peaceful area. I thought the whole trip was worth the price. Id even seen numerous wedding photoshoots here on the same day! Spread across nearly 80 acres just off Mission Canyon Road, the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is home to hundreds of local plant, flower, and tree species. I had two (not on the same day :), Nice wine and great tasting room staff. Its great for beautiful ocean views and you can grab dinner here at one of their many seafood restaurants. There are 21 Spanish Missions in the state of California and let me tell you, the Santa Barbara Mission TAKES THE CAKE!. Total Distance: 95.1 miles. Show only these on map Big Sur Save On 2 lists Nature & Parks Hiking Trails My 6 year old ran around saying wow look at this! Architectural details were reworked until the 1830s. Amazing wines. It was completed, however, in 1929. The Elverhj Museum of History & Art explores the city's Danish heritage through personal stories and photographs. Such a stunning place with gorgeous architecture. Intimate theater with a variety of shows plus an in-house pub with beer, wine & snacks for purchase. . The alley is a simple one, measuring 65 feet in length and scaling 15 feet in height. Step back in time to Old California. The top stops along the way from Monterey to Santa Barbara (with short detours) are Superior Court Of California County Of Santa Barbara, Pismo Beach Pier, and State St. Other popular stops include Tobin James Cellars, Old Mission Santa Barbara 1786, and Old Mission Santa Ines 1804. The garden focuses on California native plants with a few distinct sections like a desert and a meadow. This route will take 6 hours and 10 minutes, not allowing for any . The 17-mile drive is a road that weaves through Pebble Beach from Monterey to Carmel (or vice-versa). Dogs are allowed on leash on the main grounds, but not allowed on the beach. Beautiful views. It's really chill and the surrounding landscape is beautiful. Yes, yes, yes! Exactly what I needed to plan a trip. Eberle Winery is a family-run wine estate in the Paso Robles Wine Region owned and managed by Gary Eberle. Really nice volunteers with tons of knowledge. Great campground. The wine was fantastic! We wentduring the week. 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