Where to stay in Santa Maria
Fairfield Inn & Suites Santa Maria
2061 North, Roemer Court, CA, 93454
For comfortable stays with an indoor pool, spa and on-site gym, Fairfield Inn checks every box. Breakfast is free, the internet is fast and there’s even a plush patio with sun loungers so you can work on your tan.
Historic Santa Maria Inn
801 South Broadway, CA, 93454
The Historic Santa Maria Inn is a landmark which has been offering tranquility to celebrity guests since the Golden Age of Hollywood. It’s also a hotel with some modern features, including audio accessibility equipment. Check in to enjoy well-appointed rooms and bask in the Californian sunshine by the outdoor pool.
Kaleidoscope Inn & Gardens
130 East Dana Street, CA, 93444
Set just north of Santa Maria and a mere 20 minutes from the beach, Kaleidoscope Inn offers ounces of charm and a sprinkling of tradition. Rooms are decorated in unique styles – expect bright colors, exposed stone and old-style fireplaces. Wander amid the garden’s lovely trees or sink into an armchair in the inn’s library-style lounge.
Best restaurants in Santa Maria
Shaw’s Famous Steak House
714 South Broadway, CA, 93454
If you’re looking to try traditional barbecue in Santa Maria, Shaw’s is a great place to visit. More than a dozen types of steak come fired in an oak pit barbecue, including the famous 20oz cowboy-cut rib eye. There’s also great seafood – broiled cod is a particular specialty. Reserve a table to avoid waiting in line at this popular eatery.
The Garden Mediterranean
122 East Boone Street, CA, 93454
Careful presentation is part of the package at The Garden Mediterranean, but that doesn’t mean flavor is compromised. Sit inside or out on the patio as you dig into hummus and eggplant appetizers or indulge in hot kibbeh – seasoned bulgur wheat stuffed with spiced beef – before choosing between grilled meat kebabs and seasoned salmon.
Swiss Restaurant
516 North Broadway, CA, 93454
The long-established Swiss Restaurant has been serving rotisserie and grill bites since the 1950s. It’s another great place to try tender meats fired in the traditional red-oak way – plus, there’s coconut shrimp and Alaskan halibut.
What to do in Santa Maria
Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes
1065 Guadalupe Street, CA, 93434
Explore a world of natural beauty, soft sands and cinematic sights at Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes, 15 minutes from Santa Maria. This coastal delight is the largest remaining sand dune system south of San Francisco and it stretches for some 18 miles along the coast.
Visit to learn about nature and uncover Hollywood history, including artifacts from the largest set in movie history.
Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum
705 South McClelland Street, CA, 93454
Pack up your rental car and bring the family to Santa Maria’s premier destination for inquisitive kids. There’s a Mission to Mars Rock Wall, a Walking Piano and a space for crafting too. The emphasis is on interactivity and hands-on learning.
Los Flores Ranch Park
6245 Dominion Road, CA, 93454
1,778 acres of hiking trails, wildlife viewing spots and great routes for biking and horseback riding lie just south of Santa Maria. It’s a great place to escape from the everyday and you can even take a guided tour.