Santa Barbara, CA (Day Trip)
- Jessica Nichole
- Jul 31, 2025
- 3 min read
Wander. Sip. Repeat.
My one-day escape from LA reminded me of one thing: plans are cute, but wandering is divine. My carefully crafted itinerary didn’t unfold the way I imagined—the universe had its own timeline—but it worked out beautifully. What I got instead was slow sipping, spontaneous detours, and a reminder that the best trips make room for both plans and surprises.
How I Traveled:
I hopped on the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner from Union Station for this day trip, and honestly? It was a smooth start. Parking was easy—$16 max for the day—and the station itself was organized, clean, and friendly. I stopped to ask for directions, and a kind woman pointed me toward Platform 7A without missing a beat.
Once on board, things slowed down—literally. A 45-minute delay turned into an arrival time about an hour later than planned, and for a while, I tortured myself watching the train crawl along the tracks and refreshing the ETA every few minutes. Eventually, I accepted what the universe had already decided: this wasn’t happening on my timeline. I grabbed a gin and tonic from the market car, found my seat, queued up a Netflix show, and let the coastline roll by. Not a bad way to start the day, even if it wasn’t on schedule.
Where I Walked + Wandered:
The Trolley Tour: Santa Barbara feels like a city built for exhaling. The trolley rolled through Montecito’s quiet streets, dreamy parks, and Spanish-style architecture. Windows open, breeze in my hair, no one talking above a whisper—it was the kind of tour that lets you really see a place.
Skyeena Wines: A side street detour turned into one of my favorite moments of the day. Skyeena sits slightly tucked away with a warm, rustic exterior and an old-world European touch, and inside I tried their mixed flight—two whites, three reds—an unplanned, unhurried stop that felt like stumbling onto a secret worth savoring.
Where I Ate + Drank:
Flor de Maíz: The shaded patio has that classic Santa Barbara vibe—the beach right across the street and an open, breezy feel that makes it a great spot for a drink and their chips and salsa, which were hands-down the highlight. Their website mentioned happy hour (the hostess told me they don’t offer it), and while the food wasn’t my favorite this round (I tried the short rib empanada), I’d go back for a cocktail and that salsa alone.
The Cruisery: This spot had me from the second I walked in—bikes hanging from the ceiling, music humming, and a happy hour that actually hits. I ordered the lavender lemonade, a glass of the house red, Goats Love Bacon, and the Choripan… twice. No notes, just good vibes, great bites, and a place I could’ve sat in for hours. This place is everything I love about tapas culture.
Blackbird: Just across from the station, I slipped into Blackbird—a moody, sophisticated spot with black-paneled walls, oversized windows flooding the room with natural light, and chic pendant lights casting a soft glow. The perfect stop for that last sip before catching the train home.
What Caught My Eye:
The sunlight washing over Santa Barbara’s Spanish-style buildings, warm and golden in the late afternoon.
Skyeena, slightly tucked away, with textures that made me want to slow down—stone, leather, wood, art begging to be touched.
Bikes dangling from the ceiling at The Cruisery. It shouldn’t work, but somehow, it’s perfect.
The hush on the trolley, windows down, everyone leaning in to catch the breeze and the stories of the city rolling past.
Personal Tips:
Take the train. Parking is easy at Union Station, and the ride along the coast is worth it. Grab a drink, watch the ocean roll by, and let the trip start before you even arrive.
Build in extra time. Delays happen, and Santa Barbara is best when you let yourself slow down and wander.
Trust your instincts. The side street detour to Skyeena was the highlight of my day—follow the spots that catch your eye.
What Not to Miss:
The Cruisery. Order the Choripan (twice!!), grab a lavender lemonade or a glass of red, and stay awhile. It’s the kind of place you’ll keep thinking about long after you’re home.
Soft Close:
Santa Barbara is a slow sip of sunshine, sea air, and small surprises. Take the train, follow the detours, and let the day unfold—it’s the kind of escape that stays with you long after you’re home.
Classic PDF
💫 Simplie Golden Vibes
Want the visuals? I saved all the highlights from this trip on my Instagram. Head over to @simpliegolden to see it all.
