Things to do in Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is a coastal city on California's Central Coast, roughly a two-hour drive from Los Angeles along the Pacific coast, not a quick under-an-hour hop.

Its mediterranean climate brings dry summers, but along the shoreline expect overcast mornings in late spring and early summer, locally called "May gray" and "June gloom", before the sun typically breaks through by midday. The city sits apart from the inland wine country of the same region, the Santa Ynez Valley and Solvang, which lie a further 30-45 minutes inland.

Boat trips, harbour cruises and wine-and-food tours around Santa Barbara fill up and should be booked in advance, especially in the June-September high season, when both parking and popular tastings can be full by early afternoon.