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Golf Trips / California / California

Plan Your Santa Barbara Golf Trip in 60 Seconds

Oceanfront Sandpiper, Spanish-style nights, and beach-town golf

The American Riviera. Santa Barbara pairs the clifftop Sandpiper Golf Club — one of the best ocean-view public courses in the state — with a walkable Spanish-colonial downtown of wine bars and rooftops, plus the underrated value monster La Purisima up the coast.

5
courses
Spring, Summer, Fall
best season
SBA
15 min drive
10–50k
town size
The rota

Courses

Sandpiper Golf ClubPremiumTOP 100 PUBLIC

Clifftop ocean views on nearly every hole in Goleta — frequently called the best public 'almost-Pebble' in SoCal

$165–$230
Par 72 · 7,068 yds
coastal · walkable
La Purisima Golf CoursePremiumHIDDEN GEM

One of California's toughest and best-value public courses, set on 300 oak-studded acres in Lompoc

$70–$130
Par 72 · 7,105 yds
parkland · walkable
Rancho San Marcos Golf CourseSolid

RTJ Jr. canyon course along the Santa Ynez River in the foothills — scenic and quiet

$55–$105
Par 71 · 6,900 yds
mountain · walkable
Alisal Ranch (River Course)Solid

Sycamore-lined ranch course in Solvang wine country — a great combo with a Santa Ynez tasting day

$70–$130
Par 72 · 6,830 yds
parkland · walkable
Glen Annie Golf ClubSolid

Hillside Goleta course with ocean and island views and a popular Frog Bar & Grill

$60–$110
Par 72 · 6,420 yds
parkland
Base camp

Where to Stay

houseSleeps 8–16

$600–$2,500 /night

Santa Barbara, Montecito, or Goleta — Spanish-style homes from beach-close to hillside views

poolhot tubocean viewsoutdoor kitchenfire pitdecks
resort houseSleeps 8–16

$350–$900 /night

Downtown Santa Barbara hotels or the Alisal Ranch in Solvang

poolsparestaurantsbeach accessgolf accessfitness center
The table

Dining

The Lark

$$$
farm-to-table

Funk Zone flagship in an old fish market — shareable plates and a great bar; the group dinner

4.6★

Lucky's Steakhouse

$$$$
steakhouse

Montecito power-steakhouse — proper chops, martinis, and people-watching

4.5★

La Super-Rica Taqueria

$
mexican

Julia Child's favorite taco shack — cult-status hangover tacos worth the line

4.6★

Brophy Bros. Clam Bar

$$
seafood

Harbor seafood with deck views over the marina — chowder, oysters, and cold beer

4.5★
After the round

Nightlife

The Good Lion

Late night
cocktail

Seasonal craft cocktail bar downtown — the serious-drinks start to the night

Figueroa Mountain Brewing (Funk Zone)

brewpub

Funk Zone taproom — anchor of the urban wine-and-beer trail, easy group hang

M.Special Brewing Co.

brewpub

Big State Street brewery with a patio and games — central and group-friendly

Sandbar

Late night
sports bar

State Street rooftop and bar with games and tequila specials — late-night crowd

Off days

Activities

Funk Zone Urban Wine Trail

wineryhalf day$40–$100/pp

20+ walkable tasting rooms in old warehouses near the beach — no driver needed

Santa Ynez / Solvang Wine Tour

wineryfull day$80–$200/pp

Pinot and syrah across the 'Sideways' valley with a driver — the big wine day

Channel Islands Boat / Whale Watch

boat rentalhalf day$50–$130/pp

Cruise to the Channel Islands or whale-watch out of the harbor — scenic recovery morning

Harbor Fishing Charter

fishinghalf day$80–$160/pp

Rockfish and calico bass out of Santa Barbara harbor — charters handle full crews

Ready when you are

Build the Santa Barbara trip.

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Nearby

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