I have to admit, I didn’t really “get” Santa Barbara at first.

But I could say the same thing about LA in general.

On my first two trips to Los Angeles, the last being 12 years ago, I didn’t care for it. Too spread out, too aggressive, too much concrete.

But fast forward to now. I’ve traveled all around the world, lived among skyscrapers in Chicago, learned to enjoy wine — and visiting LA this time around has been different.

I can appreciate the vastness, the quick pace, the crowded highways. It gives this city its charm, and I can now understand it.

But Santa Barbara was tougher to figure out.

I didn’t know where to go or what to look for. We just parked the car and started to walk — and slowly, it all started to make sense.

My only regret, though, it not making it to Santa Ynez Valley, where, I think, the real Santa Barbara would show itself. I think this is where people “get” it — and I’d understand more why this bustling coastal town is so beloved to travelers — and not just wine drinkers.

Here’s what our afternoon in Santa Barbara looked like:

Chocolate Maya

Image 1 of 33

We had accidentally pulled into a municipal parking lot — first 75 minutes free! — and found this little chocolate shop.

Follow my adventures — with my Mom! — in LA on Twitter @thedailydish and on Instagram @catherinetoth.