What do people do in Santa Barbara when it’s not summer?
Santa Barbara is often referred to as the American Riviera and known for the sunshine and beaches, but what do people do during the non summer months? If you aren’t hitting the beaches, what are you doing for fun? There is so much more to SB then just the beaches, Below is just a few ideas of things to do during those non summer months.
SB aka The American Riviera. Offering, sunshine, beaches, a lot of wine, expensive price tags and not a ton to do when the sun isn’t out…
I do love to talk about all the things, but after all, this is a food tour blog, so gotta make a plug for the business first and foremost. We aren’t just funny, we also offer super fun and filling walking food and drink tours. Book your tour with Taste right now. We pride ourselves on creating experiences that are fun and feed your mind and body. In addition to our public facing tours, we offer private experiences in downtown SB and the Funk Zone. And will be launching a mini tour in the coming weeks, so stay tuned for that.
A whole lot of Santa Barbara hotels are offering “discounts”
I noticed that most deals are buy two and get a third night free. All different hotels from some of our small local favorites like The Eagle Inn, Hotel Milo and Harbor View Inn to the Miramar, Bacara and Hilton (previously known as The Fess Parker. To check out the complete list of hotels and offerings click here. Yes, the Miramar is on the list, I was curious about the pricing, so clicked on their link and it appears to not be working. They do write that they are subject to change, so maybe they changed their minds on the “get the third night free” deal.
Ok so, you got a hotel in SB for 3 nights…now what? Read on for some fun ideas of things to do in January and February
First off, you will obviously take a few Taste Tours and there here are some other fun ideas of things you can do when you are here with this fun crew.
On January 13, 2024 you can and are encouraged to partake in Rose Pruning Day at the Mission Rose Garden! The event is from 9 am – 1pm and community participation is encouraged. I have never pruned anything an kill most
plans, but love roses and apparently rose pruning day has been a community event for almost as long as I have been alive. If for nothing else, it will be fascinating to watching people prune roses. For more info on the event, check out the site.
January 13, 2024 SBIFF is honoring…
Ryan Gosling with the Kirk Douglas Award for Excellence in film. It will take place at the Ritz Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara. You can read more about it on the SBIFF site.
For those of you with littles in your life…
Paw Patrol Live is coming to the Granada theatre on February 6 & 7
I don’t have much more to say about this other than I am taking my 4 year old daughter to see it. I will report back. Here is the ticket link if you too want to see Paw Patrol. I will be there.
February 14 is Valentine’s Day! 
Go on a tour with the ones you love. Your gals, your significant others, your kids, we love the love and I am sure some love specials will be popping up all over town. Maybe we will even offer some sort of a ❤️ day tour – even if we don’t, you should still go on a Valentine’s day date tour with all your fave people. Stay tuned to find out if we add a little something extra…
39th SB International Film Festival (SBIFF)
Feb 7 – Feb 17 is the 39th SBIFF.
Over the years, I have attended some of the movies and some of the opening events, as well as other events and after parties and they are always fun.
The full list of events and movies goes live on January 17, 2024. You can purchase tickets and other things here. Except Bradley Cooper, he is already sold out.
6th annual Santa Barbara Restaurant Week!
YAY restaurant (and winery) week! The purpose of this week long event, is one that is near and dear to my local SB heart!
Santa Barbara Restaurant Week dedicates a week every year to have an extra special spotlight on participating local restaurant and wineries.
Each of the participating restaurants and wineries offer a special Pre-Fixe menus that were created just for the week. Some of the specials stay and others are gone forever. Follow along on their IG for more info.
I hope you enjoyed some ideas, more fun coming at you soon. And do not forget to sign up for some of our Taste SB food tours and we will see you soon!