Here’s how to enjoy a romantic couples golf weekend in Santa Barbara for under $3K

Santa Barbara, Calif., is not only a beautiful destination for a romantic couples’ weekend, it’s also brimming with fantastic golf. Often referred to as the “American Riviera,” Santa Barbara enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with highs in the low seventies through October, making it an ideal spot for a fall trip.

Here’s how you can plan your own special getaway for under $3K.

Direct flights are hard to come by to SBA, but Delta will get you there for $350 from New York with a layover. From places like Chicago and Seattle, you’re looking at $275 and $200, respectively. But Seattle does offer a direct on Alaska Airlines for $320. (Prices via Kayak.)

You can also save nearly $250 between two tickets by flying into LAX instead, but the drive is around 100 miles, and I wouldn’t recommend the added headache of battling LA traffic, which can be extra-gnarly around the weekends. Do yourself a favor and just suffer through a connection. Landing in a small airport is a breath of fresh air anyway!

AIRFARE FOR TWO: ~$600

Hertz offers a nice bargain from SBA: Only $111 for a midsize for a three-day rental (price via Kayak). A car that size offers enough space for you, your significant other, and your sticks.

TOTAL SPEND: $600 + $111 = $711

In Santa Barbara, luxury lodging options abound, and why not splurge a bit when you’re on a romantic golf getaway? A beautiful property that is centrally located is the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort, which has all the fab coastal ambiance you could want for your time away from the course. At $357/night (plus a $30 resort fee), it’s not cheap, but it is walking distance to the ultra-charming Santa Barbara Zoo and Stearns Wharf, and it’s less than 15 minutes from the airport.

TOTAL SPEND: $711 + $1,305 = $2,016

The quintessential must-play track in the Santa Barbara area is the venerable Sandpiper, a 1972 William F. Bell design that features ocean and mountain views on every hole, and, bonus! It’s less than 20 minutes from downtown SB.  You can walk for $180 apiece on the weekends, or pay an additional $25 cart fee to ride.

A more economical second-day option is Santa Barbara Golf Club, which opened for play in 1958. At just over 6,000 yards from the tips, it won’t kill you with length, but the historic muni will challenge you with risk/reward opportunities. And with a green fee of just $54, how can you say no?

TOTAL SPEND: $2,016 + $468 = $2,484

Since this is supposed to be a romantic golf getaway, make sure at least one of your meals is at Brophy Bros. The fresh seafood restaurant and clam bar has sweeping views of the surrounding Santa Barbara Harbor. You can’t go wrong.

Here’s a suggested breakdown of how to spend your remaining budget:

Night 1 budget dinner: $75
Night 2 Brophy Bros.: $125
Night 3 dinner: $100
3 breakfasts, 2 golf course lunches: $190

TOTAL SPEND: $2,484 + $490 = $2,974

And there you have it! A perfect, romantic Santa Barbara golf weekend for two for under $3K. Happy travels!

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