Travel in county Santa Barbara

Enormous California, with its booming economy, bounty of nature, agriculture and vibrant cities could be a country unto itself.

Anyone who appreciates fine wine is spoiled for choice in California.

Welcome to Santa Barbara, where the sun, sea, and mountains create a coastal paradise like no other. The Chumash people initially inhabited the town for thousands of years before Spanish explorers arrived in the 16th century. Today, Santa Barbara still reflects its Spanish colonial heritage with Mediterranean-style buildings and red-tile roofs, which perfectly complement the natural backdrop of the San Ynez Mountains. 

As Earth Day draws near, it's time to reflect on the beauty and diversity of our planet's ecosystems. For those with both a serious case of wanderlust and a passion for the environment, there's no better way to celebrate than by immersing yourself in the natural world. Here’s a selection of 4 of the best destinations that offer not just a getaway, but a chance to engage with wildlife and contribute to conservation efforts.

The USA is a nation of immigrants, and there are plenty of places across the country with a distinctly European vibe.

If you're planning your first solo trip, make it quick and close by.

Earth Day, celebrated each year on April 22, has evolved into the largest civic event on the planet since its origins in 1970, activating billions across 192 countries to safeguard the planet and fight for a brighter future. Its impact thus far has resulted in hundreds of millions of trees being planted, $7 billion in school grants, 2.7 billion Acts of Green and 36 million cleanup volunteers. This year’s theme, “Planet vs. Plastics,” calls to advocate for widespread awareness on the overall concerns associated with plastics.

From eerie sandstone moonscapes and jagged granite towers to rare, endangered wildlife and some of the tallest, oldest trees in the world, California's national parks encompass a multitude of singular and beloved natural majesties.

Hilton guests can now add National Parks, custom Airstreams, luxury tents and starry skies to their bucket lists.

Sunsets, sandy beaches, and sunshine collide in glamorous Santa Barbara. With the Santa Ynez Mountains looming in the background and pretty Spanish downtown streets to explore, this central California resort suits outdoor enthusiasts as well as city slickers and foodies. All you need is a place to get your beauty sleep. Here’s our selection of the coolest Airbnb Santa Barbara homes and beach house rentals.

Craving that amazing dessert you discovered while on vacation? Don’t worry — you don’t have to wait and make a special trip just to be able to enjoy it again.

Bien Nacido, Kimsey, Larner, Peak, Moulds. Exquisite wines from five of the most storied vineyards in Santa Barbara are front and center at Dalita and Duncan Harmon’s Terre et Sang, a new tasting room on Los Olivos’ main drag that showcases the wines of the same name, produced at the mother-son duo’s winery in nearby Buellton — the best Grenaches I’ve ever tasted from Santa Barbara County. When I learned that winemaker Duncan Harmon had no previous experience in the wine industry, I was gobsmacked by the soulfulness of his single-site Syrahs and Grenaches. Lithe, balanced, elegant and terroir-driven, the wines speak to the essential nature of each vineyard site, which I toured with him and his mom, Dalita, who manages the business side of the operation, over three days last August. But my first question was: How did two newcomers to the wine industry gain access to these grapes, which are among winemakers’ most coveted vineyards in the region? The proof is in the bottle.

San Diego may be known for its 70 miles of golden coastline, but California’s second largest city after Los Angeles isn’t just about sand and surf (though that doesn’t hurt). Throughout town, visitors find local treasures, such as rare plants, multicultural celebrations, and a vibrant arts scene. To maximize your time, we consulted San Diegans ranging from a chef to a nature expert and a scientist for their favorite spots. Here’s what to see and do.

In the winter of 1969, Santa Barbara’s coastal ecosystem was blitzed by three million gallons of crude oil. Responding to the catastrophic spill, and the ongoing assault of ecosystems throughout the United States, Senator Gaylord Nelson called upon American youth to rally for the environment as strenuously as they’d protested the Vietnam War.

In Santa Barbara, California, the celebrities who live here—Harry and Meghan, Oprah, Gwyneth—aren’t the ones followed and fawned over. Whales, monarch butterflies, and a diversity of other wildlife draw fans who go on whale-watching cruises and e-bike tours, participate in beach cleanups, and volunteer for annual butterfly counts.

How happy would you be living in Mexico?

There are a handful of towns, sprinkled across the US, that celebrities love to hunker down in. There’s Montecito, the costal area around Santa Barbara, that counts Oprah and Prince William as neighbors. There’s Montana’s Gallatin county, where Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake supposedly savor the Big Sky along with Bill Gates. And then there’s Franklin, an apple-pickin’ Americana town just outside of Nashville. Among the white picket fences and wide brick porches, a number of celebrities, mostly with country music ties, call Franklin home including Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, and Tim McGraw.

‘Tis the season for planning an epic winter getaway and Southwest is helping by offering one-way flights starting at just $39.

Happy Tuesday, folks! If you need as much coffee as I did this morning, you had a good weekend. 

Travelers face two reasonable responses to the prospect of a long, cold winter: embrace the chill and seek out the most spectacular winter destinations, or follow the warmth – wherever you can find it.

Whether it’s in the planning of North America’s newest national monument — framing one of its greatest natural wonders — or in reimagined museum exhibitions, the country’s visitor attractions and experiences are ever more likely to be shaped and guided by its Indigenous peoples. From the Great Plains to the Californian coast, there’s a continent-wide variety of cultures to encounter.

I love small bottles of wine. They encourage mindful drinking and make it easy for an explorer who wants to try red wine with fish to dine in harmony with a white wine with fish purist. It’s a nice way to try something new without committing to a full-size bottle.