Santa Barbara (Vacationing)...any help?

Planning a 5 day trip to Santa Barbara with the gf

First off I need suggestions on a nice hotel, not down for any janky ass motels...(at least 3-4 stars)

Entertainment preference is less bar/club and more adventure type stuff. Hiking, sight seeing etc.

Any suggestions are appreciated!!!!!!!

FYI- heading up to SLO to see Hearst Castle and also Solvang (any other suggestions in this area are welcomed as well)

 

If you are going to the castle, a lot of the tours are full so buy the tickets (Ticketmaster) before you go.
Figure out the time and tour wanted.
I love SLO. I worked there (I was on loan from Iowa) many years ago and still go back.

 

I'm not from SB but I have spent some time up there recently, there's some nice hotels I believe it's along State St. as well as bars, and stores, kind of like an outdoor mall along that street. The beaches there are pretty clean, and they also gotta nice zoo

If your going to Solvang take the 154 from Santa Barbara, its a nice scenic drive, and there are plenty of trails to hike back there, I think there are some that are closer to Santa Barbara but they may be closed because of the fire.

You may also wanna check out Lake Cachuma, or the Chumash Casino while your at it.

 

My wife and I went horseback riding up there at a place called "Circle Bar B", most awesome experience ever. The half day ride includes a picnic on a mountain top. I would highly recommend checking them out. The SB Mission and Courthouse was also cool to see.

 

i live 30 min just down the coast from SB in Ventura. there's a ton to do

as for hotels, IDK any good ones by name but there are alot near state street and right along the coast. as for hiking theres alot too, but i gotta remember names of trails. i'll ask my wife later tonight and get back to you. but here's a good site that you can check out and get an idea of hiking in SB

http://www.santabarbarahikes.com/index.shtml

i'd check out Ojai while your in SB. it's just 30 min away on the 154. i grew up there and it's a great little town. tons of hiking there too. if you want names of trails to hike, that i can get to you no sweat. i hike there all the time

pics from ojai hikes









your gonna have a great trip man.

 

http://www.coldspringtavern.com/

peep out this place. i stoped thru there on my way home from pismo a couple weeks ago. its not too far from sb at all.

its an old stage stop, for the tripple o g off roaders!

 

http://www.hitchingpost1.com/

this place has some BOMB steaks, might be worth a stop for dinner on the way back from hearst castle.

 

yeah, this place is pretty cool. usually have live music and stuff

 

Boss, which hike is the waterfall? Ive only been to Ojai once, but planning to go back and do some hiking/ camping/ etc.

 

Are you a Rock Climber? There is even a 4 pitch 300' 5.7 in Ojai that is good for couples.

Like kayacks? http://www.islandkayaking.com/

When are you looking at? This weekend 15th and 16th there is a Strawberry Festival in Oxnard. http://www.strawberry-fest.org/

 

beginner rock climber
can handle advanced trails (difficulty, length, altitude)
experienced camper/ back packer.

I was more looking for good backpacking, hike for a few hours or more, maybe camp in the middle of no where with great sunset and sunrise, make a fire, have fun with the lady with no one around, wake up, and hike back down...

no true trails needed.

 

i live down the coast to in ventura. Ventura is a pretty cool town if you want to walk around and check it out. Like some have said Ojai would defiantly be worth checking out. There are plenty of hikes and mountain bike trails

 

it's matilija falls back in matilija canyon.

to get there you take highway 33 towards Taft and before you get to Wheeler Gorge you'll turn left on to Matilija Canyon rd and take that all the back till you get to the gate and the trail head is right there

google matilija canyon, there's some cool picks

 

i rode that trail last wednesday, its pretty cool area up there.

 

yeah, there's alot of cool places in the mtns of Ojai.

gottaa be careful now though, i saw 3 rattlesnakes yesterday while i was back there

the water is still pretty damn cold too