Lake Cachuma

Lake Cachuma is a great place to visit if you're looking for a lake in the Santa Ynez Valley. It's a great day trip from Santa Barbara, which is only about 25 miles away, and a great way to break up a California wine-tasting weekend. The 9,000-acre Cachuma Lake Recreation Area also has views of the San Rafael Mountains in the distance and the Danish community of Solvang, which is about 12 miles away. Despite the fact that the weather is usually mild here, swimming is not permitted in this lake. Instead, visitors can go kayaking or canoeing along Lake Cachuma's 42-mile shoreline.

Alternatively, you can book a two-hour naturalist-led eagle and wildlife cruise. Many visitors were wowed by the lake views from higher ground (and the accompanying world-class sunsets), which are easily accessible via the Sweetwater Trail, a 5-mile out-and-back hike. If you don't mind roughing it, the recreation area has eight cabins on-site that sleep up to six people. Otherwise, Santa Barbara is known for its opulent accommodations, such as the Hotel Californian and The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara.