1. Royal Romance– Follow in Prince William & Kate Middleton’s footsteps and let your love flourish with a royal-worthy rendezvous. Post up at the Santa Barbara Polo Club for tournament finals every Sunday during summer months.
2. Pinot Puppy-Love – Get lost in love along Santa Barbara’s wine trails! Whether you’re touring the picturesque vineyards in the nearby Wine Country or stopping into the charming tasting rooms along the Urban Wine Trail, a glass of Central Coast wine is nearly always a prelude to kiss!
3. Secret-Garden Solitude– Santa Barbara is well-known for beaches, but local parks and gardens are undiscovered oases hidden in plain sight! Pack a picnic with your loved one, and find your own slice of solitude in the manicured Alice Keck Memorial Gardens, bluff-top Douglass Preserve, naturally beautiful Santa Barbara Botanic Garden or many other lovely parks.
4. Hide Away – Hunker down with your honey in pampered seclusion at one of Santa Barbara’s premier hotels. Cozy cottages, hillside haciendas, wild-west-style ranches and luxurious beachfront resorts provide the perfect setting for a romantic retreat.
5. Adventurous Amour – Santa Barbara’s natural playground is a Mecca for thrill-seekers. Get your adrenaline pumping with mountain biking on the rocky trails of the Santa Ynez Mountains or horseback riding along breathtaking stretches of sand. Feel the motion of the ocean with sea-cave kayaking at the Channel Islands National Park & Marine Sanctuary and surfing at world-class point breaks. Read our Outdoor Recreation guide for hair-raising ideas.
6. Say “Ahh” – Pamper the body and soothe the spirit at retreat centers, yoga studios and day spas. From luxurious resort facilities to holistic wellness centres, this coastal city has tons of ways for couples to breathe deeply and zen out! Visit our Resorts & Spas guide for ahh-inducing ideas.
7. Beach Basking – Yes, it’s obvious, but what’s more romantic than a stretch of sand, the sparkling Pacific and some lazy lounging with your loved one? From the stunning sunset views at Butterfly Beach to the rugged beauty of Haskell’s Beach, Santa Barbara’s varied coastline has an abundance of perfect places to share a romantic moment. Visit our Beaches & Parks page for the full roster.
8. Recipe for Romance – If the real way to your heart is through your stomach, Santa Barbara’s epicurean appeal may have you reelin Rivierag in romance. With year-round bounty from the fields, orchards, sea and vineyards, a romantic getaway could include anything from a guided farmers’ market tour and an interactive chef’s dinner to a customized culinary itinerary with behind-the-scenes access to kitchens, workshops and wineries. Taste the very best of Santa Barbara at epicure.sb, a month-long, community-wide celebration of cuisine, libations and culture. Sample other ideas on our Sip & Savour guide.
9. Film Fairytale – Steeped in film history, Santa Barbara has served as the set for many movies. Follow in famous footsteps with Film Tour Itineraries. Trace the wine-infused, comedic romance depicted in Sideways (2004). Or if your relationship status is a bit complex, follow Meryl Streep’s steps in It’s Complicated (2009), filmed all over Montecito and Santa Barbara. Experience some glitz and glamour during the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, a star-studded event held annually in January and February.
10. Celebrate at Signature Festivals – Known for our tastefully refined way of life, Santa Barbara knows how to throw a party. This small city’s calendar of events is full of fantastic celebrations feting everything from sun goddesses and street painting to world-renowned wine and fine arts. Check out our Top 10 Signature Events to time your romantic getaway with one of Santa Barbara’s special celebrations.
