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Beautiful beaches, fascinating indigenous and Spanish colonial history and over 300 days of sunshine a year.
These are just a few of the reasons why Santa Barbara should be on your travel radar.
And I’m not the only one who thinks this way.
Expedia.com has unveiled its 2025 travel trends report, and one of the emerging trends is the destination dupe.
And Santa Barbara made the list!
Destination dupes are all the rage.
And while I may now be a fan of the cheesy tagline, I do like the idea of going off the beaten path and exploring something less obvious.
With that in mind, here’s why Santa Barbara is the perfect dupe for LA.
Visiting Santa Barbara in the fall and winter
Santa Barbara is just under 100 miles from Los Angelesand you can drive between the two destinations in approximately approx an hour and a half.
But despite their proximity, the two destinations are miles apart.
Santa Barbara has a much more relaxed and laid-back atmosphere.
With its wide sandy beaches, it is not a place to see and be seen, but a place to relax and find peace.
Because of the beaches you would almost think that Santa Barbara is a summer destination.
And this is certainly when the city is at its busiest.
But the shoulder season of fall is still a great time for long, lazy days at the beach without the crowds.
Why not rent kayaks to explore the harbor and bay from a new angle?
You can rent a single kayak at the Paddle Board Center in Santa Barbara Harbor €25 per hour or €55 for the whole day.
Although the weather may be cooler in winter, Santa Barbara boasts more than 300 days of sunshine a year, so you can still enjoy that essential vitamin D during your break.
November to April is the best time of year to visit Santa Barbara for its famous whale watching.
Condor Express Whale Watching is considered the best tour operator in the area.
During fall and winter, take a 4.5-hour ‘open channel’ tour in search of humpback whales, blue whales and fin whales.
You’ll also hunt for one of the most diverse species of marine life on the West Coast.
These 4.5 hour tours cost $125 per adult and $75 for children.
The best beaches in Santa Barbara
Choosing the best beaches in Santa Barbara is hard work because you have so many choices.
Butterfly Beach is a simple and relaxing beach that is popular with locals.
The ocean is calmer here, so it’s an excellent choice for swimming or stand-up paddle boarding.
For a wide sandy beach packed with facilities, try Leadbetter Beach.
The beach is surrounded by a park, making it a popular choice for those looking for the best of both natural worlds.
It has great facilities and sea breezes ideal for kitesurfing.
Finally, if you’re looking for the most picturesque beach in Santa Barbara, try Arroyo Burro Beach.
It is surrounded by high cliffs and is known for its exceptional natural beauty.
Santa Barbara’s rich history
Santa Barbara has a rich and diverse history that is definitely worth exploring.
Visit the Old Mission Santa Barbara, a beautiful structure with a church, historic cemetery, gardens and mausoleum.
This is a beautiful relic built in the 18th century and it is the only mission with two bell towers, making it a unique destination to explore.
Admission costs $17 per person for a self-guided tour.
After a morning at the Old Mission, spend your afternoon at El Presidio de Santa Bárbara Historic State Park. Founded in 1782, this 5.5-hectare park is home to the site of the last Spanish fort in the region.
This allows you to discover 2 aspects of Santa Barbara’s rich history in one culture-rich day.
If you prefer a bit more artistic culture, explore the Santa Barbara Museum of Modern Art.
With more than 4,000 works of art, ranging from modern to ancient, you will find examples of Asian, American and European art here.
This is a broad and comprehensive collection that provides a great introduction to the art world, but also contains fantastic pieces that will appeal to established art lovers.
Admission costs $15 per person.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
