Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If we want to hit the wine bars (and stumble home) where should we stay?

The Funk Zone, which is also a few blocks from the beach, has a lot of wine tasting rooms. Its also pretty close to the VRBO that I posted above.

Any favorite tasting rooms? We would like to hit one or two. (Not OP, but planning a trip)

Also, is a week overkill or would 5 days be enough to explore the region?

OP here, thanks for all the great suggestions. Is there a large issue with homeless people in downtown Santa Barbara?

Anonymous wrote:If we want to hit the wine bars (and stumble home) where should we stay?

The Funk Zone, which is also a few blocks from the beach, has a lot of wine tasting rooms. Its also pretty close to the VRBO that I posted above.

If we want to hit the wine bars (and stumble home) where should we stay?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live across the freeway from the bacara. It's Goleta, not Santa Barbara, and not near anything. If you want seclusion and relaxation, great. Otherwise, stay downtown.

People that go on vacation usually want relaxation, unless you're in your 20s or a frat boy that's never grown up.

lol, okay. I'm a 35 year old mom who goes on vacation to experience new places and do things I can't do at home every other day of the year. I would be bored silly at the bacara after day 2. If you're going to drive downtown each day, you might as well stay downtown. If you just want to stay in the hotel and look out the window at the ocean (because it's too cold to go in the water anyway), then I don't see the point in going.

Haskals beach in front of the bacara is where all the high schoolers go when they ditch classes. It's fine, but it's not a first choice beach, it's a beach of convenience. You can't walk very far, there is nothing nearby (except the one golf course and Costco/Kmart a few miles down). I don't think it's experiencing Santa Barbara.

To each their own, though. The resort is definitely nice, if you have the $$$.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live across the freeway from the bacara. It's Goleta, not Santa Barbara, and not near anything. If you want seclusion and relaxation, great. Otherwise, stay downtown.

People that go on vacation usually want relaxation, unless you're in your 20s or a frat boy that's never grown up.

That's right. Fly all the way across the country to a place you have never been and don't go sight seeing. Stay on the beach. If I want to relax and stay on the beach, I can do that in MD or Virginia.

Your post is so dumb on so many levels. For one thing, plenty of people do fly halfway across the globe to go to the beach. Why do you think resorts are so popular?

Secondly, beaches and beach towns in MD and VA suck in comparison to beaches in California.

Third, no one is saying you need to spend all your time at a resort. But most people are perfectly happy with driving 15 minutes away to have lunch or dinner. I sure as hell don't go to Santa Barbara to stay downtown and bro it up. I go to take advantage of the beaches, golf, hike, visit wineries, etc.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live across the freeway from the bacara. It's Goleta, not Santa Barbara, and not near anything. If you want seclusion and relaxation, great. Otherwise, stay downtown.

People that go on vacation usually want relaxation, unless you're in your 20s or a frat boy that's never grown up.

That's right. Fly all the way across the country to a place you have never been and don't go sight seeing. Stay on the beach. If I want to relax and stay on the beach, I can do that in MD or Virginia.

Anonymous wrote:I live across the freeway from the bacara. It's Goleta, not Santa Barbara, and not near anything. If you want seclusion and relaxation, great. Otherwise, stay downtown.

People that go on vacation usually want relaxation, unless you're in your 20s or a frat boy that's never grown up.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If possible stay right on the main road fronting the beach. It's basicly the reason for going to SB in the first place plus it's walkable to Sterns Wharf and the main shopping/dining street which is called State St. My last two visits were to the Hyatt and also Fess Parker Hotel's. Both nice properties.

local pp here. if all you do is stay on cabrillo blvd/state st you are seeing a fraction of the town and not even its highlights. that being said the fess parker is fine place to lay your head at night. the wharf is a tourist trap - go to the harbor instead, dine at brophy’s, walk the length of the breakwater. if you’re there on a breezy regatta evening, even better...quintessential!

The whole idea is to be able to walk along the beach especially in the morning like most people do. Of course SB has more to offer. Why would anyone go to SB and not wish to stay on Cabrillo?

local pp here. there are many places to walk along the beach, the beach fronting cabrillo is tourist and homeless infested and would not be my first choice. but if i was put up there for work or something i wouldn’t be unhappy.

I live across the freeway from the bacara. It's Goleta, not Santa Barbara, and not near anything. If you want seclusion and relaxation, great. Otherwise, stay downtown.

Anonymous wrote:I am from SB and would not recommend Bacara. It's in the middle of nowhere. A nice resort, but lots of money to spend if you want to actually experience the city.

I travel to Santa Barbara about a dozen times a year, and I always stay at the Bacara. I stayed at the Four Seasons once, but that's a lot more expensive, (as I also I get the corporate rate at Bacara.)

I think I experience the city just fine. Santa Barbara (and California) in general are driving places. As long as you avoid driving during rush hour, you'll be fine.

I am from SB and would not recommend Bacara. It's in the middle of nowhere. A nice resort, but lots of money to spend if you want to actually experience the city.

I like the Bacara. It's not technically in Santa Barbara, but it's close enough.

Highly recommend this VRBO right by the beach; it's on a quiet street and is impeccable inside. I've never stayed in any other VRBO as lovely as this one. https://www.vrbo.com/454896