The struggle of dealing with L.A. traffic Monday through Friday is very real.We think the reason that most Angelenos put up with it is for the embarrassment of riches that are our weekend getaway opportunities. Ojai, La Jolla, Palm Springs and Malibu are just the first spots to come to mind, the list of quick and easy road trips outside the city is nearly endless – if you can bear more time in the car.

One of our favorite weekend getaways is Santa Barbara. A short drive up the coast, the lush and quiet coastal city is full of old California style and surrounded on all sides by either vineyards or the sea.

You really can’t miss a good time in Santa Barbara, but – just in case – we’re sharing our favorite places to enjoy while there. Our picks are inspired by a recent trip we took with Chevrolet to test drive their first-ever all electric car, the Chevy Bolt EV.

Planning a summer getaway?
Check out our wellness city guides for London, Portland, Seattle, Big Sur, Ojai, Napa and Las Vegas.