Luxury holidays in Santa Barbara
Heralded by missionaries as possessing the perfect climate, Santa Barbara has become an idyllic slice of palm-shaded, tile-roofed mansions beside the Pacific. The quiet stretch of California’s Gold Coast is where many Hollywood names retreat to escape reality. The paradisiacal community doesn’t disappoint, with superb restaurants, chic boutiques and a bounty of bicycles. Those willing to wander beyond the beach town will find hike-worthy foothills, the 18th-century Old Mission Santa Barbara and a blossoming wine region within minutes of the city limits.
When to go
There’s not really a bad time to visit Santa Barbara: it’s sunny year-round and moderate in temperatures. Late September and early October are the time to catch harvests at nearby vineyards.