LA And Malibu Are Way Too Crowded. Visit This Coastal City For A Quieter Beach Getaway

As a state, California is home to some incredible cities. While places like Los Angeles and Malibu may get a lot of attention, even the smaller cities are worthwhile for a vacation, especially if you love California's coastline. For example, Santa Barbara, which is less than two hours north of LA along the Pacific Coast Highway, is a great, less-crowded option. While LA has a population of almost 4 million, Santa Barbara is home to a little under 90,000. And while Malibu is technically smaller than Santa Barbara, it receives over 15 million annual visitors, compared to Santa Barbara's roughly 6.5 million. 

But what really sets this city apart from the rest? First, you'll notice its Mediterranean and Spanish Colonial architecture, which runs throughout the city and gives it a posh, upscale vibe. In fact, you can even take a Red Tile Walking Tour and visit many of the most iconic architectural sites, including the courthouse, the Presidio, and the public library. Then, there's the coastline, full of pristine beaches that help give the city its moniker as the "American Riviera."

Finally, while Santa Barbara doesn't have as many world-famous attractions as LA (e.g., Disneyland or Hollywood Blvd), it's still packed with fun and exciting things to do beyond lounging on the beach. So, let's head to the coast and see what this city is all about.

Although all of Santa Barbara is beautiful and scenic, one of its most notable features is its 100 miles of shoreline, which is broken up into 25 distinct beaches. Some of the most popular beaches are close to the harbor, including Leadbetter Beach, West Beach, and East Beach. The city is also home to one of the 12 best hidden beaches in California, More Mesa Beach, which is further north and away from downtown. Overall, whether you love beachcombing, relaxing on the sand, surfing, or just exploring the coastline, you have more than enough options when visiting Santa Barbara.

But what if you like being by the water but don't want to get sand all over the place? Well, there are many other ways to enjoy Santa Barbara's coast, especially around the harbor. For example, if you want to exercise your brain, you can visit multiple museums. First, there's the Maritime Museum, which dives into the history of seafaring and maritime trade in the region. Next, if you head to Stearns Wharf, you can visit the Museum of Natural History's Sea Center and learn more about the local sea life. Finally, the Carriage and Western Art Museum is just a short walk from the harbor and offers a glimpse into the transportation methods and cultural elements of the Old West.

Then, if you head further inland along State Street, you'll run into the State Street Promenade. This walking district in downtown Santa Barbara features a wide array of restaurants, shops, and entertainment options. Notable highlights include the Casa de la Guerra, which was built in 1828, the SBIFF Film Center, where you can discover new indie movies, and the Arlington Theatre, which opened in 1931 and features various concerts and live shows.

Santa Barbara is less than two hours north of LA, which is the nearest travel hub. However, while you can fly into LAX or even Hollywood Burbank Airport, which is getting a brand-new terminal in 2026, consider Santa Barbara Airport, which is just outside the city. This way, you can avoid LA traffic and spend more time enjoying your vacation. Although Santa Barbara isn't a huge tourist town like Malibu, it still has many hotels and vacation rentals to choose from, so it should be relatively easy to find something within your budget. Or, if you're looking for something a bit more posh and upscale, you can look at places like the Hotel Californian, which leans heavily into the "Riviera resort" aesthetic and overlooks the ocean.

After exploring the city's sights and attractions, you can satisfy your hunger at one of the many delicious restaurants nearby. For example, if you're on the Wharf, you can enjoy fresh seafood while looking out over the water at the Santa Barbara Shellfish Company. Similarly, the Boathouse at Hendry's Beach provides scenic views of the coastline all day long, as it serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Or, if you're near downtown and aren't sure what to eat, check out the Santa Barbara Public Market, a chic food court with various artisan-style eateries.

Finally, while there is plenty to do within Santa Barbara, you can also take advantage of its proximity to the "Galapagos of North America," Channel Islands National Park. You can take a boat to the park from Ventura Harbor, which is just 40 minutes down the coast.