Make the Most of UC Santa Barbara’s Parents & Family Weekend: Where to Stay, Eat and Drink in the City!
Reunite with your child and loved ones during UC Santa Barbara’s Parents & Family Weekend. Explore the sights of the city and create unforgettable memories with your family over delicious meals and stunning views of the Santa Barbara Coast!
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Where to stay
Stay
Settle in at the coastal-chic Kimpton Canary Hotel, located in the town’s lively arts district and just minutes walk away from the town’s hot spots. The hotel balances chic city hotel vibes with classic Spanish-style architecture, embodying quintessential Santa Barbara character. Lounge around the Canary’s rooftop pool (the largest in Santa Barbara) with stunning 360 views of the Pacific Ocean and mountains in the distance, plus exclusive amenities, including complimentary evening social hour featuring local wines, rooftop yoga, pet-friendly accommodations and more.
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Where to eat and drink
Drink and Dine
Enjoy dinner at the hotel’s signature restaurant, Finch & Fork, with farm-to-table dishes that reflect the bounty of the Central Coast’s farms, ranches and the Pacific Ocean, complemented by a world-class wine list and a playful, seasonally inspired cocktail program. If you have some time away while your child is studying, venture a few blocks from the hotel to The Good Lion for a nightcap and enjoy a thoughtfully crafted contemporary cocktail made with fresh ingredients inspired by the American Riviera. For a perfect brunch with a view, dine at Gracie by the Santa Barbara harbor to enjoy craft coffees, teas, and cocktails that pair with artisanal brunch dishes like the French Omelette and Table Waffle.
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What to do
Explore
Visit the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden to take in the California Native plants, including the redwood grove and meadow. Rent paddle boards or kayaks and take in the views of the harbor or seek adventure towards the Channel Islands. Rent bikes and cruise through the Funk Zone, exploring local shops, artists and stop at McConnell’s Ice Cream for a decadent scoop!
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Day trip
Day Trip to Wine Country
If your child is 21+, for an easy day trip, head into wine country!
Los Alamos
Check out Los Alamos, the quiet, historical wine town tucked in the Santa Ynez Valley and just under an hour from downtown Santa Barbara. Enjoy a taste of the region at Pico, the award-winning restaurant led by husband-and-wife duo Will Henry and Kali Kopley, celebrated for their farmer-driven, seasonal dishes all sourced from farms, ranchers and fishermen in Santa Barbara County. Pico’s thoughtfully hyper-local fare can be paired alongside standout wines from the family’s wine label, Lumen Wines, and handcrafted cocktails.
Los Olivos
Also in the Santa Ynez Valley, Los Olivos is a one stop shop for sipping through some of the region’s best wines. Stroll through the wine country town’s dozens of tasting rooms, hitting highlights like Story of Soil, led by winemaker Jessica Gasca, with a focus on single-vineyard, single-varietal wines produced in very small lots. By isolating both the grape and the site, Gasca aims to show how soil composition, climate, and farming practices shape flavor and texture in the finished wine. Grab a slice from Lucky Penny next door and settle in with a glass of Story of Soil’s highly sought after Grüner Veltliner, Gamay, Pinot Noir and more.
While in Los Olivos, visit Dreamcôte, one of Santa Barbara’s first pét nat producers, sourcing grapes exclusively from responsibly farmed Santa Barbara County vineyards. The husband-and-wife winemaker team uses old-world techniques with new-world sentiments (minimal oak) to produce lively, bright sparkling, white and red wines meant to be drunk young, plus creative and refreshing ciders using local ingredients.
Another standout winery is SAMsARA, producing Pinot Noir, Syrah, Grenache and Chardonnay from micro-sites within Sta. Rita Hills’ most distinctive vineyards. Led by winemaker Matt Brady, SAMsARA focuses on minimalist winemaking, thoughtful farming partnerships, and transparency of place. Visit the tasting room in Los Olivos, or head back towards Santa Barbara to visit the SAMsARA winery in Goleta.
