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The Simpson House has put together the following itinerary to help you make the most out of your visit to Santa Barbara vacation. If you prefer a guided tour during your vacation, our Travel Valet is at your service. Whether you prefer hiking, shopping, surfing or dressing up for the opera on your vacation, Santa Barbara truly has something for everyone.
Click here to contact our Travel Valet
SANTA BARBARA VACATION 1-5 DAYS:
DAY ONE
 Afternoon Refreshments, Simpson House
Start out your Santa Barbara vacation with a beverage on the veranda after you settle into your room or cottage, and regroup a bit from your journey.
Trolley tour from the inn (complimentary)
The complimentary Santa Barbara Trolley stops directly in front of the Simpson House and offers a 90-minute tour of Santa Barbara's historical buildings, State Street (famous for its Mediterranean architecture), shopping areas, museums and theaters. Hop off at any point and enjoy a glass of Santa Barbara wine or a cup of coffee at one of the many sidewalk cafes. When you're ready, the trolley will bring you back home to the inn.
Walking tour of Alice Keck Park Gardens
Across the street from the inn are the Alice Keck Park Gardens. This botanical garden offers peaceful respites along streams, beneath shady trees, a gazebo and a koi pond.
Mediterranean Hors d'oeuvres Buffet at Simpson House (5:30-6:30)
Partake in a mini-Mediterranean feast of seasonal selected items from our chef's choix de jour. We serve local Santa Barbara wines for your enjoyment in the sitting room, the gardens or in the privacy of your room or private patio.
Walk to dinner
We have books of local restaurants (which include their current menus) to choose from. When you make your selection, let us know and we will happily make a reservation for you. Many of Santa Barbara's finest restaurants are within comfortable walking distance.
DAY TWO
Breakfast at Simpson House
The Simpson House breakfast, ranging from huevos rancheros, corn griddlecakes to apple, cinnamon pancakes, accompanied by just-baked scones or muffins will fortify your second day of outings on your Santa Barbara vacation.
Red Tile Walking Tour
During your vacation, be sure to discover Historic downtown Santa Barbara. You'll pass ancient adobes, the Spanish Presidio, lush, manicured gardens, detailed iron grill work, and shopping areas with the Spanish influence of red, tiled-roofs and white-washed walls. (Although this walk can be accomplished in 90 minutes but at a Santa Barbara pace, strolling and exploring along the way could require an entire morning.) You'll also have an opportunity to visit several of the many historical museums, as well as the Art Museum on this route.
OR
Hike on Rattlesnake Trail (2 miles approximately)
Miles of trails meander through the hills, forests and stream-filled canyons of Santa Barbara. Rattlesnake Trail is a moderate level hike with a gain of 900 ft. The trail starts at an elevation of 110ft. and leads along the picturesque Rattlesnake Canyon.
 Lunch on State Street
Pause for lunch at one of State Street's many charming cafes with promenade seating. From this vantage point, you can people watch, read or scribble some thoughts in your travel journal.
Trolley to the Waterfront
Convenient trolley stops along State Street enable you to walk as far as you like, and when you tire, just jump on the trolley. Suggested stop: Stearns Wharf. This lively area is a great starting point for a beachfront exploration. During your Santa Barbra vacation, you can stroll or rent bicycles, roller skates or Pedalinas (four-wheeled cycles with surrey tops).
If you enjoy natural history, pay a visit to the Sea Center. Operated by the Natural History Museum it features marine life exhibitions that include life-sized models of dolphins and whales. Every Sunday a beachside Arts and Craft Exhibit, features hundreds of independent artists showing and selling their works and wares. Continue down the beach to the harbor where you'll see awe-inspiring yachts, as well as working fishing boats moored along the blue-green breakwater.
Afternoon or Sunset Cruise
End the afternoon of the second day of your Santa Barbara vacation with a sunset cruise. Watch the sun disappear into the waters of this small, Mediterranean city against the Santa Ynez mountains .
Mediterranean Wine and Hors'd oeuvres at the Inn
Dinner at one of Santa Barbara's fine restaurants
DAY THREE
Breakfast at Simpson House
Santa Barbara Mission and Rose Garden
Start this day of your vacation wandering through green lawns and beautiful rose gardens with views of the city of Santa Barbara and the Pacific. Stroll through the stone church with its twin bell towers. Santa Barbara's is the only mission in the chain still administered by the Franciscans.
An expedition out to sea…
The Santa Barbara Sailing Center features a wide array of sailing experiences including whale watching, a sunset, or a dinner cruise. They also offer chartered boats, large and small for a spin in the Santa Barbara channel.
OR
Natural History Museum
The Museum of Natural History is set among Spanish style buildings and gardens. This special museum portrays the life and culture of the Chumash Indians, as well as the geological, marine and wildlife of the region. It also features a 72-foot blue whale skeleton, a planetarium and an observatory.
Picnic Lunch
First stop; pick up your picnic basket stocked with flatware, bottle opener and all your picnic needs from your innkeeper. If you'd like beach chairs or towels, they're available too. Ask us for directions to these best-loved lunch suppliers. Their menus are in the menu book if you'd like to order lunch in advance.
Cantwells - gourmet picnic goodies and drinks
Arlington Deli - gourmet picnic goodies, homemade breads, etc.
Pierre La Fond - gourmet sandwiches, salads, entrees and wines
Butterfly Beach is a local neighborhood Santa Barbara beach.
Butterfly Beach is named for the Monarch butterflies that return here each year. Butterfly Beach is a local neighborhood beach. You'll find it quiet and non-commercial. (Please ask concierge for directions.)
Hors d'oeuvres at Simpson House
A romantic dinner
Jazz at El Encanto - Ron Valentine is a Jazz pianist and vocalist who performs Friday and Saturday nights in the lounge.
DAY FOUR
Breakfast at Simpson House Inn
All Day trip to Santa Barbara Wineries
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Bicycle trip around town or into the backroads…
 Santa Barbara is ideal for bicycle riding about town or going for more intense mountain biking in the back country trails. We will be happy to recommend rental places, as well as point you in the right direction for maps and trails.
Wine and Hors d'oeuvres Simpson House
Dinner
Enjoy your Santa Barbara vacation and catch a show at the Center Stage Theater -
intimate seating, wide variety on the play bill and located in Paseo Nuevo, the cultural heart of Santa Barbara.
DAY FIVE
Early Morning Walk of historic Santa Barbara residences
A 45-minute walk from the Inn on the surrounding residential streets
Breakfast at Simpson House Inn
Explore Paseo Nuevo, El Paseo, La Arcada Court
Quaint shopping and galleries
Santa Barbara is full of fine and fancy, down and dirty and everything in-between shops. In addition to the many shops and boutiques that line State Street and Paseo Nuevo (with everything from Nordstrom to Victoria Secret), there are a plethora of one-of-a-kind, shops with works by local artisans, as well as treasures hand-picked from all over the world. (Link to "unusual shopping" in Santa Barbara section)
OR
Take a round on the golf course
Check with the concierge for the many gorgeous fairways in the area ranging from manicured greens to winding, weaving courses, abundant with wildlife.
Afternoon
Scenic Drive along the coastline
(1 Hour) Visit Seal Rookery, Monarch Butterly Reserve and Adree Clark Bird Refuge
OR
In-room massage or stroll around the Simpson House gardens
Wine and Hors d'oeuvres Simpson House
Dinner
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