Santa Barbara

This tour is for a total of 8 women, plus the guide.

Santa Barbara is a city on the central California coast (90 miles north of Los Angeles), with the Santa Ynez Mountains as a dramatic backdrop. Downtown, Mediterranean-style white stucco buildings with red-tile roofs reflect the city’s Spanish colonial heritage. Upscale boutiques and restaurants offering local wines and seasonal fare line State Street. Santa Barbara’s climate is often described as Mediterranean, and the city has been dubbed “The American Riviera”. Santa Barbara's weather was ranked number 1 in the United States in 2023-2024 by U.S. News & World Report. 

The temperatures in April in Santa Barbara are a high of 70 and a low of 51.  Santa Barbara County wines encompass all of the varietals and incredible quality of Napa and Sonoma and is considered a world-renowned wine-growing region, with none of the traffic or exorbitant tasting fees. There are over 275 wineries in Santa Barbara County and the Santa Ynez Valley.  

While sailing off the coast in the Santa Barbara Channel, you will enjoy scenic views of the coastline, mountain ranges, and the beautiful Channel Islands. Be ready to encounter all sorts of marine wildlife, from sea birds to seals and sometimes dolphins and whales.  

Solvang offers one-of-a-kind shops where you can discover trendy styles and impeccable service. Explore high-end boutiques, European imports and art galleries as you create wonderful memories as you enjoy your shopping experiences in the Danish Village of Solvang, dubbed “Little Denmark”.  There are no shortage of five-star restaurants in Santa Barbara and we have hand selected some of the best culinary dining experiences for the tour that you are going to love.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Sunday, April 20, 2025

Plan to fly into Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) to arrive no later than 4pm.  Catch a taxi or Uber from the airport to the Santa Barbara Inn (11 miles from the airport to the hotel).   We will be staying at the Santa Barbara Inn (https://www.santabarbarainn.com) located at 901 E. Cabrillo Boulevard.  The hotel is located across the street from the beach with a walking path that goes for miles along the shoreline.  The tour begins with a private welcome dinner at the hotel’s restaurant, Convivo (on the patio) at 6pm.  Two glasses of wine/beer are included.

Day 2  - Monday, April 21, 2025

Start your day with breakfast in the hotel restaurant, Convivo.  The tour includes a $35 breakfast voucher each morning.

We will be picked up at 10am (plan to gather in the lobby at 9:45am) to spend a day visiting three amazing private wineries in the Santa Ynez valley.  Wine tasting fees and lunch are included.  We will return to the hotel at 5pm.

Dinner will be at 7pm at Olio e Limone in their private dining room (Cucina Room).  Again, two glasses of wine/beer included.

Day 3 – Tuesday,  April 22, 2025

Start your day with breakfast in the hotel restaurant, Convivo.

We will be picked up at 10am in a private Sprinter Van for the 45 minute scenic drive to Solvang.  We will be dropped in town where you are free to roam, explore this little slice of Denmark and visit the many upscale shops, bakeries, catch lunch on your own, or visit some wine tasting rooms if you still want to explore more wines from the region.  Our transportation will pick us up again at 2pm for our drive back to the hotel.

Dinner will be at 6pm at The Lark in our private dining room.  Two glasses of wine/beer are included.

Day 4 – Wednesday,  April 23, 2025

Start your day with breakfast in the hotel restaurant, Convivo.

Your morning is free to explore on your own.  We have a private sailing adventure scheduled to depart from the Santa Barbara Sailing Center at 11:30am and returns at 2:30pm.  Lunch and beverages/wine included.

Dinner will be at 7pm at Bouchon in their private dining room, Cork Room.  Two glasses of wine/beer included.

Day 5 – Thursday, April 24, 2025

Start your final day with breakfast in the hotel restaurant, Convivo.  Sadly, our tour comes to an end.  We hope that you have made some new friends and that you will come along in the future on another Elite Adventures for Women tour.  Schedule your departure at your convenience.  I recommend organizing into small groups so you can ride-share back to the airport.

Pricing & Payment Dates

The cost of the tour is $3,500/pp. Upon booking, you will be required to make a 30% deposit ($1,050).  Full balance is due 45 days prior to the tour start date or March 6, 2025 ($2,450).  No refunds for cancellations for any reason, which is why we require you to obtain travel insurance.

More Details...

Santa Barbara – The American Riviera - April 20 - 24, 2025

Highlights 

• Enjoy your own private room at the Santa Barbara Inn (directly across the street from the beach) 

• Spend a day on a private wine tour to three hand-selected, private wineries in the Santa Ynez Valley (lunch included)

• Enjoy a private sailing adventure in the coastal waters of the Santa Barbara Channel and enjoy the amazing scenery and marine life (lunch included) 

• Spend an afternoon exploring and shopping in Solvang, “Little Denmark” 

• Time to explore personal interests 

• Four fabulous gourmet private dinners have been arranged 

• Breakfast included each morning ($35 voucher provided) 

• All gratuities included for the activities and dinners 

• Lunch provided where indicated 

• Wine/Beer included up to two glasses. Soft drinks included.  

What is not included: 

• Airfare or other transportation not included in the tour description above

• Airport transfers 

• Some meals and activities are not included in the tour, where indicated in the itinerary

• Beverages that are not specified 

• Any personal expenses or expenditures 

• Travel Insurance 

• Gratuity for the Tour Leader