With warm weather coming and the days getting longer, people are looking for things to do! Santa Barbara is the perfect place for spring break with a wide variety of outdoor adventures, museums, events, and activities to choose from.
Here are five of our top choices!
1) Gaviota Coast Kayak Tour
For a local kayaking adventure, the Gaviota Coast Kayak Tour is a great option. This tour meets at Refugio State Beach and explores the Gaviota Coast – one of the few remaining undeveloped coastlines in California! A local guide leads the tour, teaching basic kayaking skills beforehand and pointing out the local ecology and history throughout the tour. Lunch is included. This is a perfect half day adventure and a great way to get a new view of the California coastline!
2) Kayaking the Channel Islands
If you are looking for a longer kayaking adventure, go kayaking in the Channel Islands! This all-day adventure starts in the Ventura area where you meet your guide, board a ferry, and head off to the Channel Islands National Park! For a limited time, we have the Channel Islands Sea Cave Kayak Tour that will run April 11th and 18th ONLY. This tour will be on a chartered boat to the Scorpion Anchorage area to kayak through sea caves weather permitting.
The other tour option will head to Prisoners Harbor, which will explore the north coast of the island. This area has a rich history and beautiful coastlines with a friendly guide who will point out wildlife. Kayaking in the Channel Islands is an experience of a lifetime!
3) Wine Tour in the Santa Ynez Valley
The Santa Ynez Valley is another great area to explore and there are a variety of wine tours available to experience the region. This area is beautiful in the spring, the hills are green and the wildflowers are
blooming, making for a picturesque spring tour. The Santa Ynez Valley Tour is the classic wine tour and includes door to door shuttle service, wine tasting at three local wineries, fresh and local lunch, and a knowledgeable guide to share knowledge and insights from the area. Other options are available including a Wine and Bike Tour, Cupcake and Wine Tour, Wine County Shuttle service, and even custom group tours. The Wine Tours are a great way to explore the Valley and get a unique perspective of Santa Barbara County.
4) Visit the MOXI
The city of Santa Barbara itself is full of adventures and places to explore, like the MOXI museum. The MOXI is an interactive museum that offers guests a chance to learn and play. Exhibits include everything from interactive sound studios to a fluid dynamic sky garden. Located in the heart of downtown, this museum is great for all ages and has special events and programs for a variety of age groups throughout the year to make your trip even more fantastic.
5) Go to a Festival
One not to miss spring event in Santa Barbara is the Earth Day Festival. Celebrating it’s 50th year here in Santa Barbara, this festival has two full days of entertainment, music, exhibits, and even a beer and wine garden! With exhibits for all ages and a variety of food options, this event has something for everyone. This festival is a great way to see the local side of Santa Barbara and help a great cause.
Santa Barbara truly is a great place to experience Spring Break. With access to so many trails, restaurants, and shops, as well as so many activities, it has something for everyone.
