At a time when it seems divisiveness is more prevalent than unity, one thing everyone can agree on is that it will be good to say goodbye to 2020. This year has been challenging for most everyone. And like everything else, this New Year’s Eve will be different, but The Eagle Inn is ready to be your getaway destination as you welcome in 2021 – a new year with new hope. Here is the best way to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Santa Barbara.
Cruise the Waters
Start your New Year’s Eve celebration with a coastal cruise out on the Pacific Ocean. Offered by the Santa Barbara Sailing Center, these two-hour tours depart from the city harbor, which is just a three-minute walk from the Eagle Inn. Seeing the beauty of the shoreline from the sea, listening to the birds, watching sea lions play all while the wind billows the sails of the Double Dolphin is the perfect way to melt away the stress of the past year.
Cruise the Town
Spend the day exploring downtown Santa Barbara while riding upon one of the Inn’s complimentary bicycles. From the paved shore-line trail along the ocean, or along the streets lined with restaurants, stores and wineries and breweries, there is always an interesting place to hop off on a self-guided Santa Barbara bike tour. This intimate view of the city offers an experience that just isn’t possible when driving through town. (And since you’re setting the pace, there’s always time to explore.) End the day at the beach, watching the sun descend as the winter sky erupts in brilliant reds and oranges.
New Year’s Eve Celebrations
New Year’s Eve is usually ablaze with people and celebrations. While plans are still being developed because of COVID many of the city’s finer restaurants expect to be serving dinner. If in-room dining is more to your liking, order ahead and enjoy a delicious meal in the luxury of your room. Be as fancy or as casual as you like, reflecting on all the challenges we’ve overcome in the past year.
New Year’s Day
Start New Year’s Day with a hike along Inspiration Point – the name says it all. If you’re ready to see 365-degree vistas, enjoy every shade of blue in the universe and recommit to those resolutions you promised to uphold last night, this is the place. The first portion of the 3.5 mile round trip trail is paved and the remaining incline is not too steep. A perfect way to glide into a new year. Early birds can catch a beautiful sunrise, and then return to the Inn for their delicious breakfast, delivered to your room. Or else nourish yourself for breakfast and then hit the trail.
These are but a few options to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Santa Barbara. Whatever activities you pursue on your getaway, rest assured Santa Barbara’s beauty abounds this time of year. The Mediterranean climate offers warm days, which are delightful for outdoor adventures, and cool evenings, which are perfect for curling up in front of the fireplace with a loved one.
Celebrating the start of the New Year is a great act of optimism given what 2020 had brought us. Enjoy 2021 in the beauty of Santa Barbara and at The Eagle Inn, Santa Barbara’s favorite beachside hotel.
