Find your own “American Riviera” in the Santa Barbara region. Let the spirit of exploration lead the way: Bask in the sunny beaches of Carpinteria, let the romantic Spanish architecture of Santa Barbara woo you, and embrace the wild North County coast.

Pause at the crossroads of culture, wine, and history in downtown Santa Barbara, where you can visit cultural institutions like the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, then discover California history on a Red Tile Walking Tour, and round out your day sipping and strolling along the path forged by more than a dozen leading winemakers on the Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail.

Then hit the road again and head to Santa Barbara’s bucolic wine regions, home to world-class wines and small-town charm. Go tasting near Lompoc (where you’ll also find miles of dazzling flower fields) and in the Santa Maria and Santa Ynez valleys.

The Santa Barbara region will delight you, but it will also surprise you with unexpected pleasures like the town of Solvang, the Danish capital of America where Nordic village life unfolds under California skies. And for a taste of authentic local tradition, make time to try Santa Maria-style barbecue, California’s succulent slow-cooking tradition.