Explore things to do in Santa Barbara during harvest season

Thing to do in Santa Barbara during harvest season

September and October bring an energy that makes planning things to do in Santa Barbara effortless. The coast hums with events while Santa Ynez wine country moves into crush, creating a rare chance to pair oceanfront mornings with vineyard afternoons. Expect marquee festivals, by-appointment tastings, and guided tours that open doors to top producers. With a dedicated base in Santa Barbara or Montecito, you can transition from harbor views to hillside tastings in a single day, then return to private spaces for quiet evenings with your latest finds.

What to expect during harvest weekends

Santa Barbara Vintners Festival is set for October 18, 2025, showcasing over 50 wineries and 30 food purveyors in one place.
Santa Barbara Harbor and Seafood Festival, also on October 18, 2025, brings fresh catches, live music, and maritime education to the waterfront.
Private vineyard tastings are widely available by appointment, offering intimate time with winemakers during crush.
The Los Olivos Promenade concentrates more than 20 tasting rooms within a walkable four-block village.
Guided wine tours, such as those from Stagecoach Co. Wine Tours, simplify logistics and unlock a broad cross section of Santa Ynez producers.

Harvest weekends balance celebration and access for things to do in Santa Barbara. Here are the highlights to help you curate your schedule:

Santa Barbara during harvest season

Reserve-focused flights and library pours at select tasting rooms in Santa Ynez wineries, timed around winemaker availability.
Private vineyard walks during crush, followed by barrel samples and small-lot releases, often available by appointment.
A guided tasting itinerary with a dedicated driver to streamline transfers between appellations.
Seafood-forward lunches between tastings to balance the day, then a sunset return to your home base.

Build your day around the coast-to-vineyard rhythm and focus on high-touch experiences that feel personal and unhurried:Montecito places you minutes from the shoreline and within an easy drive to Santa Ynez wine country, ideal for relaxed harvest weekends. Valley Estate offers classic Mediterranean design, generous indoor outdoor living, and a pool for a restorative finish after tastings.

Aerial view of Valley Estate in Montecito, a refined base within an easy drive of Santa Ynez wine country during harvest.

From Montecito, the Los Olivos District AVA is an easy day trip: it spans 22,820 acres and includes 47 vineyards and 12 wineries. It is easy to mix intimate estate settings with standout whites and reds before returning to Valley Estate for a relaxing poolside wind down.

Vineyard tasting during harvest, reflecting the social, celebratory energy of Santa Ynez weekends.

Where to stay for effortless access to Santa Ynez

A second home in Santa Barbara or Montecito creates a dependable base for repeat harvest trips. You keep your own kitchen for effortless pairings, outdoor dining for post-event evenings, and ample space to store and share new bottles with friends. Co-ownership with Pacaso brings the coastal lifestyle together with wine country access, so favorite tastings and festivals are part of your annual rhythm. Your list of things to do in Santa Barbara grows with each visit.Riviera in Santa Barbara pairs ocean and mountain views with expansive terraces and a sleek pool terrace, a perfect setting to recharge between tastings during harvest season. With ownership, you can make these wine-country moments part of your regular routine.

Riviera’s modern pool terrace in Santa Barbara, an ideal setting to unwind after harvest events and tastings.

Local tips for an easy harvest itinerary

Anchor one day around the Santa Barbara Vintners Festival for breadth, then reserve private tastings on adjacent days for depth.
Plan a seafood lunch at the waterfront during the Santa Barbara Harbor and Seafood Festival, then head inland for an afternoon flight.
Use a guided tour service for a seamless route between tasting rooms and vineyards, especially on busy weekends.
Make the most of Los Olivos, where 20 plus tasting rooms sit within a compact, walkable village.
Confirm by-appointment tastings in advance during crush, as schedules can be limited.

A few practical insights help you maximize time during peak season:

A refined food and wine pairing, mirroring the culinary emphasis of Santa Barbara harvest season.

Why a second home changes the harvest experience

Owning in Santa Barbara streamlines harvest season. Your calendar is open for spontaneous tastings, you return to the same home between events, and you can host friends without relying on last minute bookings. Co-ownership with Pacaso means thoughtfully designed spaces and a consistent base for every crush, from first pour to final sunset.Ready to make harvest season a tradition from your own coastal base. Explore our Santa Barbara & Montecito collection, estimate your buying power with the Second Home Calculator, and learn how co-ownership works in What is co-ownership property.Note: This article was generated with the help of an AI agent and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and clarity.