PH Travels: Santa Barbara itinerary

Join Preservation Houston in September 2026 for a journey to Santa Barbara, California, a city where architecture, landscape and culture exist in constant conversation. This working itinerary offers a preview of the experiences we’re planning for the trip. Details will continue to evolve as arrangements are finalized, and this page will be updated as the schedule takes shape.

Day 1: Arrival and welcome

Wednesday, September 16 — The trip begins as you settle into the Hotel Californian in the heart of the lively Funk Zone, where a rooftop deck looks out over the Pacific through swaying palms. In the early evening, we’ll board a chartered catamaran for a private sunset cruise along the coast, taking in views of the city, the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Channel Islands. Afterward, dinner on the waterfront offers a relaxed opportunity to meet your fellow travelers and begin four days exploring the architecture, history and landscapes that have shaped Santa Barbara.

Day 2: A city rebuilt, a life revealed

Thursday, September 17 — We’ll begin the morning with a walking tour through downtown Santa Barbara, tracing the city’s architectural evolution from its Spanish colonial beginnings through rebuilding that followed the 1925 earthquake. That reconstruction effort, guided by civic leaders and an architectural review board, is why downtown Santa Barbara reads today as a cohesive, legible whole — nearly every building constructed since conforms to the same Spanish Colonial Revival style. The remainder of the morning and lunch are yours, whether you choose to browse State Street, visit a museum or linger over lunch at a favorite café. In the afternoon, we’ll visit Bellosguardo, the seaside estate of heiress Huguette Clark. Rarely open to the public, the mansion remains much as Clark left it, offering a glimpse into one of the 20th century’s most private lives. This evening, we’ll head to the home of a local architect for a private catered paella dinner overlooking Santa Barbara.

Day 3: The Central Coast and Hearst Castle

Friday, September 18 — Today’s excursion takes us north along California’s Central Coast to Hearst Castle, William Randolph Hearst’s hilltop estate overlooking the Pacific. Designed by architect Julia Morgan over nearly three decades, the estate combines architecture, art and landscape into one of America’s most extraordinary private estates. We’ll enjoy two guided tours exploring the castle’s public and private rooms, with lunch on the grounds between tours. On our way back to Santa Barbara, we’ll stop at Tyler Winery’s Mae Estate for a tasting reserved just for our group, sampling wines that reflect the distinctive character of the nearby Santa Rita Hills. The evening is yours, whether that means dinner in downtown Santa Barbara, a walk along the waterfront or simply relaxing at the hotel.

Day 4: Lotusland and landmarks

Saturday, September 19 — We’ll begin our final full day at Lotusland, the celebrated botanical garden created over decades by opera singer and socialite Ganna Walska. Built around an earlier nursery, its remarkable plant collections — including world-renowned cactus and cycad gardens — have made it one of the country’s most distinctive public gardens. After a casual lunch in Montecito, we’ll return to downtown Santa Barbara to explore some of the city’s defining landmarks, including the Santa Barbara County Courthouse and Old Mission Santa Barbara, founded in 1786. Following free time to take in more of the city at your own pace, we’ll meet for a farewell dinner at a favorite local restaurant to reflect on our time in Santa Barbara.

Day 5: A relaxed farewell

Sunday, September 20 — As departures begin, those with later flights are welcome to join an informal farewell brunch, a last chance to share favorite moments from the trip before heading home.