Foodies: Check off these 5 Experiences in Santa Barbara, California

The sparkling Santa Barbara Channel is one of the richest sources of sustainable, high-quality seafood in the USA. Depending on the season, the catch of the day could be spiny lobster, spot prawns, California halibut, yellowtail, albacore, swordfish, Pacific snapper or barracuda! Dine at a waterfront restaurant, buy seafood fresh off a boat at the Saturday Fisherman's Market, shop at the Santa Barbara Fish Market on Harbor Way or head out on a sea charter to reel in your own catch.

If you love wine, Santa Barbara's winery tours, winemaker dinners, wine tastings and related festivals will top your to-do list. (With four official wine appellations in Santa Barbara County, you’ll keep busy.) Enjoy world-class Pinot Noir in the Santa Rita Hills. Head to downtown Santa Barbara to trek along the Urban Wine Trail. Or follow Miles’ and Jack’s adventures as made famous in Sideways, the 2004 Oscar-winning film shot in Santa Barbara Wine Country.

The pleasant climate that makes Santa Barbara a coveted destination also makes it a stand-out spot for farming. Many of the area’s best chefs take advantage of the local bounty in their dishes, and some local farms host on-site dinners during which you’ll savor ingredients that have traveled just a few feet. Farmers markets operate every day of the week in the area (except Monday) and farm stands with overflowing bins are sprinkled throughout the county.

Restaurants ranging from burger stands to high-end emporiums make it a point to use fresh, local ingredients — even Santa Barbara ice cream shops use locally grown fruits to create dreamy ice creams, gelatos and sorbets.

In October, come for Epicure.SB — a 31-day celebration of Santa Barbara’s food, drink and culture. This month-long fête includes many food-focused events, festivals and experiences, such as the California Avocado Festival, Harbor & Seafood Festival, California Lemon Festival and much more.