So I'm going to be in and around Santa Barbara in September and I thought I'd see what Hubski has to recommend. I'll be checking out the nearby parks, beaches, etc., probably going to visit Solvang, but is there anything that should not be missed in SB?
What about the best places for food, or beer, or whatnot? I think it be cool to do some fine dining on this trip.
Drive over to Point Concepcion, do it, trust me. Jalama Beach is a grand place to watch a sunset. San Luis Obispo is an amazing "old" town that has a great mission that you can walk through and around. And a short way from there is Pismo Beach and Morro Bay (a favorite of mine). Venice Beach is a tourist trap but it is an interesting place to people watch and roughly 3 hours away from you.
1) Pismo Beach, as francopoli mentioned. It's dope. I love Pismo. Also Morro Bay. 2) Hearst Castle. It's a trip. Probably not your thing, but hey, it's there. 3) There's supposedly an incredible motorcycle museum in Solvang. I haven't been. They have the only unraced Britten. One of ten in the world. 4) There's a pretty awesome record shop in Ventura - Salzer's. It's dope. 5) There's a surprising amount of good hiking in and around Santa Barbara. Day stuff. Don't bring a camera 'cuz the vistas aren't that great. 6) When in September? Supposedly they're putting up an Intruder on September 25 at SLC-3. Which means an SRB and it'll be awesome.