Things to do: Santa Barbara edition

Welcome back to our riveting "things to do" series, where we bestow upon you our handpicked gems from our favorite cities.

We're hoping these recommends help inspire your plans on Whatever. No need to thank us, just shower us with praise for doing all the planning.

You thought you'd be spending hours scrolling through review sites? Nah, we'll do the heavy lifting for you. You're welcome!

Recs from a UCSB Student

My name is Katherine and I’m a LA native and a UCSB student so trust me when I say, I've got some 🔥 insider tips for you to explore.

Head to Santa Barbara, where stress-free highways,

fresh seafood, and some moderately warm weather await you, complete with a subtle, gentle breeze.

Explore Downtown Santa Barbara

📍State St in DTSB 

Gather 'round, it's tour time in Santa Barbara. First stop, State St in Downtown Santa Barbara! The place for all things shopping and dining. The Spanish Colonial architecture is so captivating, you might just forget you're in the 21st century.

Make a mandatory pit stop at McConnell's Ice Cream, my all-time favorite ice cream shop in the history of ice cream shops. Try the earl grey tea, shortbread cookies or chocolate-covered strawberry flavors.

Get your retail therapy fix at the local boutiques, but be sure to mark your calendar for the fun & hip flea market located inside EOS Lounge. The Baad Sunday Flea Market takes place every third Sunday of the month!

It's like a party, or what we college kids call a “dayger” since there is often live music, drinks, a fun photo booth, and the opportunity to score some one-of-a-kind second-hand treasures.

📍Hot Springs Canyon Trail

It's hiking time, baby! Lace-up those sneakers, pack your Hydro Flasks (or Stanley Cups) and apply plenty of SPF because we're heading to the Hot Springs Canyon Trail located just 15 minutes away from Downtown SB.

You're in for a 30-minute hike to reach those delightful sulfur hot springs, that definitely don't smell like rotten eggs.

DO NOT forget to remove any jewelry beforehand to avoid any unwanted tarnishing.

Trust me, I learned the hard way when my silver rings were tarnished. But hey, we've all been there, and if you forget (shame on you), don't panic! Just scrub the tarnished jewelry with some toothpaste, and voilà, you're sparkling again.

📍Dinner at Oku by the harbor

Let's end the day on a delicious note, shall we? Head on down to Oku by the harbor for a dining experience that's not only insanely delicious, but also won't drain your wallet, a rare sight in LA.

They've got rolls with names like "Mike Wazowski Roll" and "Crazy Rich Asians Roll," so you know you're in for a creative sushi experience. Don't even get me started on their "XO Shrimp Garlic Noodles." It's the perfect side dish that'll have your taste buds doing the cha-cha. 💃

The ambiance is on point, the music sets the mood, and the lighting is just right. Plus, the view of the pier from the restaurant is like something straight out of a postcard.

Once you've devoured the last piece of toro nigiri, head across the street and take a stroll down the pier. Enjoy the sound of the ocean, the great views of Santa Barbara and help yourself accelerate that digestion so you can get eat another cone of ice cream before bed.

Organize your plans in one place

With Whatever, you can easily plan day trips or any type of hangout. Invite friends to vote and RSVP, create a poll to figure out the best time to hang out or things to do.

And guess what? We also send out text reminders, so no need to track the details in your calendar. You can also find our Santa Barbara plans on Whatever. Be sure to add our recs to your plans.

If you're down to plan on Whatever, sign up to get access and start planning.

We also broke down this Santa Barbara day trip on TikTok. Stay tuned for part 2. Now go and make some amazing memories. Cheers! ✌️