Why Santa Barbara in the Off-Season is So On!
If you’re looking to save a little money on your next beachside family vacation, I suggest you check out Santa Barbara in the off-season. Gorgeous coastline, wineries, dockside dining, zoos, and more are at your fingertips for exploring – only with half the crowds of summertime. I’ve got tips and tricks on where to stay and what to do to maximize your time in this Central Coast gem, just an hour and a half from Los Angeles.
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Where to Stay in Santa Barbara to Maximize the Off-Season
The key to a Santa Barbara stay is choosing a hotel that doesn’t rely solely on the pool to entertain the whole family. The Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort has an AWESOME pool and hot tub, and it’s heated, but that’s only the beginning of the entertainment.
Included Amenities range from Bicycle Rentals and Fitness Classes to On-Property Games, with a different one in the courtyard dividing each building. Outside our room were Cornholl and a Giant Connect Four, while the next building over featured a giant Chess Set and Shuffleboard.
The highlight for us, though, was the 90 minutes of Pickleball Court time, with all the equipment needed to play. Pickleball is like tennis, but with everything on a smaller scale. The court is half the size, the balls are lighter, and you use paddles instead of rackets. That makes for a lot more fun when you have littles with you.
If you can get away for a while on your own, Float Luxury Spa Beachfront is a real treat.
Hotel Room Types to Consider
While a standard Two Queen is more than enough for most families of four, a Pool Walkout Room with Firepit is the perfect combination, no matter the weather. Your room feels like a private oasis, with direct pool access so that you can go between the heated pool and the roaring fire pit. It has the feel of a private cabana rental – only you didn’t have to pay extra for it. There are also Resort View Rooms with a Firepit if you don’t want to be near the pool, although I can happily report that the music shuts down early enough that it won’t matter if you’re near the action.
Additional amenities that are great for family travel include Double Vanities so no one has to wait, and nearly 500 square feet of space to roam around. The beds are extremely comfortable and spacious, and there’s no disruptive floor lighting that could wake anyone in the middle of the night.
The Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort offers a variety of room types, including 25 Suites. So there’s something at every price point.
What to Do in Santa Barbara in the Off-Season
East Beach
Now that you have your home base, what will you do when you leave it? The beach is awesome year-round, and you walk from your hotel to East Beach and an Oceanfront Playground if the water is too cold. Also, be sure to stop for a photo at the Chromatic Gate by Cabrillo Ball Park. It’s steps from the oceanfront dining at the Hilton.
Santa Barbara Zoo
Another must-visit is the Santa Barbara Zoo, just 0.7 miles from the hotel. The animals are nestled inside a Botanical Garden, and it’s incredibly relaxing to roam the different spaces. You can even enter the Kangaroo enclosure and walk around with the roos. It’s unlike any zoo you’re used to. End the experience with a Train Ride around the whole park and learn the secrets of this conservation marvel.
Moxi Museum
Budding scientists will love the Moxi Museum, which offers three floors of discovery and wonder. Everything is hands-on, and nothing is off limits, from Massive Air Tubes that scale the interior courtyard, to rooftop Solar Technology and Water Play. The views of Santa Barbara are great for parents, too.
Wineries
Although I didn’t personally get a chance to visit due to the age range in my party, the Funk Zone in Santa Barbara is home to multiple breweries and wineries. Notable locations include Area 51 Winery, Municipal Winemakers, and Figueroa Mountain Brewing Company. The Funk Zone is within walking distance of your hotel and is the artsy, hipster sister of State Street.
Dining for Off-Season Santa Barbara
The Set Restaurant & Patio
Look no further than your own hotel for a great night out in Santa Barbara. The Set Restaurant & Patio faces East Beach for outdoor dining and also has a full dining room if the weather is too nippy.
The menu is coastal-inspired, featuring Starters such as Pacific Rockfish Ceviche and Cilantro Hummus, as well as Truffled Brussels Sprouts and SB Mussels.
Diners can eat light with Salads and Hand Helds, such as Cabrillo Street Tacos, or go big with Entrées, including Clams & Linguine or Crispy Chili-Roast Salmon. Take it from me, two adults can split one Entrée if you’ve got Appetizers on your mind.
Kids will love their favorite bites, including Grilled Cheese on toasted sourdough and Chicken Tenders and Fries. Portions are big enough for parents to steal some too.
Something I appreciated for a change was a Signature Cocktail Menu that begins with Low-Proof options, along with Mocktails and Non-Alcoholic Hard Seltzer. During my visit, Katy Perry’s De Soi Non-Alcoholic Cocktail line was having a moment, with a special menu dedicated to the brand. I savored a Haute Margarita with tangy citrus, smooth agave, and fiery jalapeño. The natural adaptogens are what supply the slight buzzy feeling, although that might also have been the low $12 price tag sending my head spinning.
If you choose to imbibe, you can’t go wrong with an HSB Signature Burnt Orange Old Fashioned. It arrives capped in a citrus-smoke bubble and is crafted with Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Bourbon.
Stearn’s Wharf
No visit to Santa Barbara would be complete without a visit to the 150 year-old-legend, Stearn’s Wharf, which offers multiple dining options and a Natural History Museum Sea Center. Moby Dick Restaurant is a must-visit for Oysters and ocean views. Visit during Happy Hour, all day Monday, or from 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, to save some clams.
Your Santa Barbara Summary
Santa Barbara in the off-season offers the same fun with fewer crowds. The beaches are just as beautiful when it’s cold, and most hotels have heated pools and hot tubs. Santa Barbara Zoo, Wineries, The Moxi Museum, and Stern’s Wharf are fun no matter the weather. 
