Santa Barbara Nature Itinerary

  1. 8:00AM: Breakfast at Jeannine's Bakery
    Estimated time from hotel: 10 minutes (1 mile).

    Start your day with a breakfast burrito or fresh-baked pastries at Jeannine's Bakery, a local favorite that has been serving the Santa Barbara community for over 30 years.

  2. 9:00AM: Goleta Butterfly Grove
    Estimated time from Jeannine's Bakery: 20 minutes (10 miles).

    Witness the wonder of thousands of Monarch butterflies at Goleta Butterfly Grove as they migrate across the country. The grove is open every day during daylight hours between November and February.

  3. 11:00AM: Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
    Estimated time from Goleta Butterfly Grove: 15 minutes (5 miles).

    Explore the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, which features over 1,000 different plant species native to California. Take a leisurely walk through the arboretum or hike the trails offering scenic views of the Santa Ynez Mountains.

  4. 1:00PM: Lunch at Tyger Tyger
    Estimated time from Santa Barbara Botanic Garden: 15 minutes (5 miles).

    Tyger Tyger is the perfect stop for a quick and tasty lunch. The modern Vietnamese street food is made with locally sourced ingredients and served in a laid-back atmosphere.

  5. 2:00PM: Stearns Wharf
    Estimated time from Tyger Tyger: 10 minutes (2 miles).

    Walk down to Stearns Wharf and take in the sights of the Santa Barbara Harbor. The wharf is home to several restaurants, shops, and an aquarium. The sea breeze and captivating views are the highlight of a visit here.

  6. 3:30PM: Santa Barbara Kayak Tour
    Estimated time from Stearns Wharf: 10 minutes (2 miles).

    Experience Santa Barbara's coastline by sea by taking a two-hour guided kayak tour. Enjoy the beautiful views of the rugged Santa Barbara coastline, paddle through kelp forests and watch for harbor seals and California sea lions.

  7. 5:30PM: Sunset at Hendry's Beach
    Estimated time from Santa Barbara Kayak Tour: 15 minutes (3 miles).

    Sunset at Hendry's Beach is the perfect way to end your day. Watch the sunset over the Pacific Ocean with your toes in the sand.

Time and Cost Estimates

  • Jeannine's Bakery (1 hour, $10)
  • Goleta Butterfly Grove (1 hour, $0)
  • Santa Barbara Botanic Garden (2 hours, $12)
  • Tyger Tyger (1 hour, $15)
  • Stearns Wharf (1 hour, $0)
  • Santa Barbara Kayak Tour (2 hours, $60)
  • Total Estimated Costs: $97

Useful Tips

If you have more time, visit El Capitan State Beach or Mission Santa Barbara. For wine lovers, a stop at a Santa Ynez Valley vineyard can be added to the itinerary. If you have less time, you can skip the kayak tour and go straight to Hendry's Beach to take in the sunset. Bring a sweater if you plan to stay through the sunset, as beach temperatures can get chilly at night. Parking can be challenging at some locations, so arrive early.

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