Santa Barbara is high on the list of destination weddings, but it is also high on the list of destination vacations. Besides attending the wedding, there will be days and times when guests find they have opportunities to experience our city by the sea. So here’s a compilation of what you’ll find Santa Barbarans doing on a normal weekend.

For those filled with adventure, there are hiking trails all over town! Santa Barbara Hikes (santabarbarahikes.com) offers a full guide to well-known and hidden trails that we love. Don’t like hiking? You’re surrounded by the beach! Go surfing, kayaking, swimming, and whale watching, or do stand-up paddleboard yoga. There are places near or on the beach where you can rent equipment. If you don’t take advantage of this gorgeous year-round weather, when else will you? For indoor group fun and fantastic photo opportunities, you can have a friendly bowling match at Zodo’s Bowling & Beyond or show off your figure-skating skills at Ice in Paradise.

For those interested in craft brews and wine tasting with family, there are breweries with both indoor and outdoor patios with games and fun activities. Some trendy breweries you must visit include (keep in mind this is a very short list) Telegraph Brewing Co., Pure Order Brewing Co., M. Special Brewing Co., and Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co., most within a mile from each other. For those classing it up, the Funk Zone holds the best of the best wineries, including Santa Barbara Winery, Oreana Winery, and 17 others.

For those looking to get creative, Art From Scrap often has arts-and-crafts classes for both adults and children; the Painted Cabernet holds a painting class almost every day (ticket includes a glass of wine); and the Museum of Art presents art lectures, classes, and more. You can also visit art galleries, spread throughout Santa Barbara from State Street to the Funk Zone.

For those foodies, Santa Barbara features the latest buzz on food. From a crab leg at S.B. Shellfish Company on the pier to a farm-to-table vegan meal at Mesa Verde Restaurant and the myriad of restaurants in between, whatever you crave is all here (santabarbara.com/dining).

Whether you’re a guest or part of the bridal party, know that, along with being in Santa Barbara for a very special reason, this city is waiting for you with a million things to do.

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