[JavaBrewer]

I was reading this thread last night and Joe Bob just beat me to it. Brophy Bros in the harbor, overlooks the loading pier where fresh catch is trucked to local resturants. They don't take reservations so arrive 30 minutes early for a outside table (very narrow deck) about 30 minutes before sunset. The views across the harbor and the mountains is really special. Food is very good as are their drinks!

Check hotels on upper state street (Pepper Tree/Best Western) and Goleta (Ramada by Wyndham off Turnpike) are places we usually stay in. I also agree the Santa Barbara Hotel on lower state right across the street from Joes Cafe (best drinks in town - Francisco is the bartender to work with) and a ton of food and entertainment options.

Recommend renting electric bicycles downtown and you can ride through Montecito or Hope Ranch along the coast. Really great way to tour.

Must see is the Santa Barbara Courthouse. Walk up to the tower for amazing views of the mountains, ocean, and city. The architecture is perfect, mature landscaping, tons of history (Michael Jackson was tried there). It's just a block off middle State street.

Go for drinks at the 4 Seasons Biltmore Hotel across the state from Butterfly Beach. Or stay there if your budget can support it. Mine cannot - but the place is fantastic.

Goleta beach pier is a hold out to an older time. Honestly it has not changed in 55 years since I was a kid growing up there. There is a good restaurant on the beach there (Sandspit Road) but they might be closed now...total shame.

UCSD is a fun area to walk from Goleta beach parking lot. Their campus is beautiful.

Cold Springs Tavern is not to be missed, was an original stop on the Pony Express I believe. When I was a kid it was a hangout for the dangerous biker gangs but now a destination for everyone. Food is very good and ++ the tri tip sandwich. Good drinks too.

East Camino Cielo is a must drive at sunset. Go up San Marcos pass (154) and at the top take a right turn. Very slow speed road, steep drop off/cliff on the West side, will take you all the way into Montecito.

You can't go wrong with food in this city. For Mexican food the high end Los Arroyos across the street from the Montecito Inn is very good. Search YoutTube for Santa Barbara mudslide, there is a video where a Police car was heading up Olive Mill Road and encountered a mud slide after big fires and then seasonal rains. Took out much of town up that road and areas South. Actually closed down the 101 freeway at that point for a month. The Montecito Inn parking garage was filled with mud and water. Boulders the size of big trucks tumbled down the mountain that night.
My go to Mexican food is a very casual spot on Milpas, Taqueria El Bajio, take the food to go and eat on the beach or go local and eat on the street. Their Tacos Dorado is a 3 big taco order and cannot be beat. You can spend more but not eat better.

So much stuff to see. A day trip to wine country is fun. Drive North 101 out of Goleta and you will be transported to a different time. 2 lane highway that hugs to coast until you get to the tunnel that leads inland to turn off to Lompoc or continue to North on 101 to access Solvang, Los Olivos, and points North.

Edit - Damn I forgot to mention the Arlington Theatre. Stop by and ask to see the inside. It's styled as an outdoor arena complete with faux balconies and a starlight dome sky. I have seen many a concert, and all the original Star Wars movies there.