Fondly referred to as The American Riviera, Santa Barbara is where you will find all the best that California has to offer. From breathtaking beaches to the soaring mountains and bountiful Santa Ynez valley, Santa Barbara is where award winning food and wine meets outdoor adventure and boundless relaxation. No matter your age, budget or occasion, there is plenty of new and elevated experiences to be had in Santa Barbara this spring and throughout 2022, and here are some of the highlights.
Drift Santa Barbara is set to open its doors on State Street in downtown Santa Barbara in late 2022. The minimalistic, millennial focused, contemporary hotel will feature all the perks of a tech-driven hotel while still being affordable. Drift Santa Barbara invites guests to savour the flavours of Southern California with robust food and beverage offerings like Joe's Cafe, a lively destination for steak and seafood with a modern twist; Sandbar, a festive Mexican eatery and bar complete with outdoor patios and fire pits; and Hana Kitchen, a relaxed food bar featuring Mexican and Asian inspired ingredients where guests can 'build-your-own bowl'.
The Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail continues to expand in 2022 with the addition of five new tasting rooms joining their current 30+ winery members. The self guided urban wine trail was designed to make tasting the best of Santa Barbara wine easier by creating an urban network of satellite tasting rooms within walking distance from one another. The Funk Zone neighbourhood where many of these tasting rooms can be found is also home to an eclectic mix of galleries, shops, restaurants, graffiti murals, boutiques and breweries that make for an incredible day of exploration and discovery.
'Backcountry', a $4 million project by The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is set to open in June 2022. The 4 acre immersive garden is designed to inspire families to connect with nature through 10 unstructured, self directed outdoor experiences including building forts out of natural materials, climbing on fallen trees, finding wildflowers, navigating mazes, and hiking through numerous different habitats. Nature educators will also be on hand to guide visitor experiences and ensure the safety of all who come to enjoy the garden.
Two noteworthy culinary events will also be taking place in Santa Barbara in 2022! Santa Barbara Restaurant Week returns May 16-22 with special pre fixe dinner menus and special offers at numerous eateries throughout the South Coast. Visitors will get to drink, taste, and discover great local restaurants without breaking the bank. Taste of Santa Barbara in partnership with the Julia Child Foundation will also take place in May 2022 and will feature curated culinary experiences at numerous restaurants throughout Santa Barbara along with dedicated panels, pop-ups, screenings, and farm tours.
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