Santa Barbara is certainly no secret, but there are still many gorgeous gems lining the coast and stretching into wine country that still go unnoticed.
Whether you’re squeezing in a late spring getaway before summer shores see a sea of crowds, or prefer to kick back in a town you’ve never heard of with a craft beer in hand or a local glass of wine, we’ve got you covered either way.
As Southern California tends to hog the spotlight away from coastal gems north of Los Angeles, we at Travel Off Path believe the Central Coast is long overdue for its flowers and a little more fanfare
With that said, as Santa Barbara is undeniably the powerhouse destination of the region, these 4 neighboring towns, equally alluring in their own right, offer fewer crowds and more authenticity for the kind of blissful vacation many travelers overlook.
1) Carpinteria: The ‘World’s Safest’ Beach Destination
If you’ve never heard of Carpinteria, you’re not alone.
This coastal hideout is better known among the hang-loose surf crowd with their bleach-blonde dreadlocks and lingo nobody understands.
But while surfers are shredding waves, you could be in your own slice of paradise, in Santa Barbara’s town next door, as tourists tend to skip this pass-through town along world-famous Highway 101.
Though if there’s one claim to fame besides surfing, it’s the food scene, backed by its locally-grown avocados.
So much so, they even throw an annual festival (October 2 – 4, 2026)
More notably, and maybe a stretch, Carpinteria claims to be the “world’s safest beach destination“. While safety isn’t a particular concern once you leave LA’s city limits (you can check LA’s current safety score here), it’s nice to know there’s one little beach haven that all but guarantees you don’t need to keep your head on a swivel.
2) Summerland: The Quaint Beach Escape Hidden In Plain Sight
In between the Spanish splendor of Santa Barbara and celebrity-riddled enclaves of Montecito lies the map-dot town of Summerland.
In other words, it’s a sweet spot to enjoy the Central Coast’s stunning seaside without Erewhon prices or Santa Barbara’s crowds.
Better yet, as gorgeous as the seemingly unspoiled beaches may be, this tiny town isn’t just a beach getaway — it’s a full-fledged vacation spot known for wine tastings, boutique shopping, and the lone luxe hotel perched along the Pacific, Inn on Summer Hill, holding rave reviews for its prime location and cozy vibes.
If you’re cruising down the 101, Summerland is well worth a stop, even if you opt to stay elsewhere. It packs for its size.
3) Ventura: Spacious Shores & Fish Tacos Galore
Right now is one of the best times of the year to plan a trip to Ventura. Teetering somewhere between “hidden gem” and local favorite, Ventura may not attract many out-of-state license plates, but those in the know do flock to the gorgeous shores come summertime, especially July and August.
Located just across from Channel Islands National Park, which we’re not saying is or isn’t an alien base, but ya know, do a little digging…
You can visit one of America’s most unsung national parks simply by hopping on a boat from Ventura Harbor, and whether you see little green beings or not, there’s no denying the scenery is out of this world.
Sorry, had to…
Any way you slice it, a Ventura vacay can’t be complete without a visit to Spencer Makenzie’s sensational fish tacos (and score a 2-for-1 deal if you visit Mon-Thu from 3-5 pm).
4) Buellton: A Burgeoning Beer Town Within Vast Vineyards
Buellton likely doesn’t ring a bell unless you’re a wine snob (we use “snob” loosely ’round here if it relates to food and booze).
That’s because Buellton to this point has largely been known as a secret wine hideaway laden with scenic vineyards and even off-the-wall roadside attractions like Ostrichland USA (yes, really).
This inland town in the Santa Ynez Valley is undergoing a renaissance, striving to add “beer destination” to its already lengthy boozy resume with such popular wineries as Buscador Winery & Tasting Room, holding a near-perfect Google rating.
But the reality is beer is the new draw here.
Buellton will soon host Buellton Brew Fest on May 2nd, where over 50 vendors will pour into town, showcasing the best in craft beer, wine, spirits, and even kombucha.
If you can’t swing a May getaway, check out the existing taproom rivals in town, such as Figueroa Mountain and Firestone Walker.
