Move over Santa Barbara! The beach town next door is California’s best-kept secret

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Even though Hollywood’s bright lights in tourism have dimmed, the vast Los Angeles area of ​​beautiful beach towns and mountain hideaways is still one of the most sought-after places in California.

That said, as tempting as it may be to check off your bucket list all the locations you’ve seen in the movies, like Beverly Hills and Muscle Beach, we at Travel Off Path recommend heading beyond LA’s sprawling city limits and clusters of suburbs to discover the real magic of Southern California’s northernmost point.

That may seem like an oxymoron for jumbo shrimp, but it’s the truth.

Santa Barbara is often thought of as the pinnacle of SoCal, but just before you get there, there’s a lesser-known paradise with towering mountains as the perfect backdrop, a nostalgic Old Town, and of course, beautiful coastlines that we all envision when we imagine a California vacation.

We’re here to tell you that this is the Golden State’s best-kept secret, and we refuse to fully enter Fort Knox and keep it to ourselves.

This secret coastal village is a must-visit!

California and road trips go hand in hand.

Whether it’s pristine Big Sur or quirky Carmel, hopping on the world-famous 101 is basically like defining what your dreams look like when you close your eyes – it’s That lively and That Nice.

Many start from LA and work their way north as far as San Francisco, passing the aforementioned Big Sure and countless twists and turns of incredible sights along the way.

No matter where you end up going, the chances are high coastal town of Carpinteria is not on your radar – a dream town that has lain in the shadow of Santa Barbara for far too long.

The well-known locals love the surf, tranquil atmosphere and impeccable food, especially anything on the menu of a Mexican eatery, as Carpinteria is located in North America’s third largest avocado-producing region and even plays host to California Avocado Festival every fall.

Still drooling? Us too.

Furthermore, locals have claimed that Carpinteria is California’s “last great beach town,” meaning neither tourists nor developers have ruined the atmosphere of what old-school California feels like with walkable streets, open parking lots, hip surf shops, and tranquil stretches of golden sand.

Better yet, the Old Town is a must-see and showcases an intriguing history dating back to when Spanish explorers named this town for its roots as a coastal carpentry workshop for making canoes.

While LA goes crazy, unwind at the ‘safest beach in the world’

Look: Crime is a fickle topic that we take seriously on both sides of the aisle. However, there’s no denying that LA has gone off the rails, which is a major reason why its reputation and tourist numbers have declined.

Whether it’s the infamous Skid Row seemingly expanding into other neighborhoods, homeless encampments outside multi-million dollar homes, or the fact that attacks have occurred got up 22%, you could say the “exodus from California” started here.

In the best traffic conditions, Carpinteria is about an hour and a half drive from the madness of downtown LA, making for a justifiable escape whether you’re flying into LAX or just a local needing to recharge from the city grind.

This peaceful retreat is so relaxing that it’s even touted as the ‘The world’s safest beach‘in more ways than one.

You can walk around at all hours without feeling like your head is racing, and you also don’t have to worry about tidal waves when you take a dip in the Pacific Ocean, as the waves almost always calm with mild current.

Easier to reach than ever

There’s nothing wrong with a classic American road trip, but as one of YouTube’s first viral clips ever said, “Ain’t nobody got time for that!”

Flights to nearby Santa Barbara are growing rapidly, so whether you choose Carpinteria as your main residence or as a supplement, it’s easy to get to either way.

In the city’s own words, Santa Barbara (SBA) will “provide travelers with more convenience and connectivity than ever before by 2026.”

There are five different airlines serving 13 non-stop destinations, with approximately 26 flights per day. Southwest and Alaska are leading the way with the most notable new routes from places like Chicago and San Diego.

From SBA it is only a 21 minute drive, making it easy to take an Uber or drive yourself with a rental car from the airport.

Sam Sears

Sam, our lead writer and San Diego-based journalist, has visited 36 countries and written more than 1,000 articles with an emphasis on sharing his own travel experiences and highlighting lesser-known gems.