Self-Guided Cinematic Tour of Santa Barbara

Begin your adventure at El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel. This lush retreat has its own share of cinematic history, having opened its doors in 1918 before swiftly becoming the original getaway for Hollywood icons. Celebrated stars of the silver screen called El Encanto their home-away-from-home, including Clark Gable, Hedy Lamarr and Carole Lombard.

El Encanto can be spotted multiple times in Cutter’s Way (1981), a thrilling neo-noir film starring John Heard and Jeff Bridges. After vibrant opening scenes that depict Santa Barbara’s annual Founding Days festival, John Heard is unforgettable as main character Alex Cutter, a world-weary Vietnam War veteran whose dangerous conspiracy theories threaten his own sanity.

After exploring the iconic hotel, take a short ten-minute drive to the marina, where Santa Barbara’s picturesque harbor becomes a character of its own. With Jeff Bridges’ character Richard Bone strolling the sun-dappled boardwalk in scenes of quiet tension, Cutter’s Way transforms this coastal haven into an unforgettable cinematic backdrop.

From the harbor, make your way east to the aptly named East Beach, where golden sands meet sparkling waves. This iconic stretch of coastline shines in 20th Century Women (2016), a poignant coming-of-age story filled with sun-soaked vignettes of 1970s Santa Barbara life. Starring Annette Bening, Elle Fanning and Greta Gerwig, the film captures the bittersweet beauty of family and home against the backdrop of the American Riviera.

Continue just ten minutes down the coast to Butterfly Beach to discover another filming location from this heartfelt drama. If you’re seeking a cinematic escape infused with nostalgia and coastal elegance, 20th Century Women is your perfect match – like the feeling of sandy toes and warm breezes on a summer afternoon, lovingly captured on screen.

Head north for a quick ten-minute drive into Montecito, where grandeur and luxury await among the area’s stunning mansions. While the film was set in Miami, film buffs might recognize this opulent neighborhood from Scarface (1983), the legendary tale of ambition and excess starring Al Pacino as Tony Montana, a fiery Cuban immigrant who conquers the Miami drug world. These estates are now private residences, but curious fans can still admire the filming locations from the roadside. Villain Sosa’s so-called ‘Bolivian’ mansion stands proudly at 656 Park Lane, and just six minutes down the road, you’ll find Tony’s unforgettable fortress at 631 Parra Grande Lane.

Leaving Montecito behind, embark on a picturesque 45-minute journey into the heart of Santa Barbara wine country. A cinematic love letter to the lush Santa Ynez Valley, Sideways (2004) is not just an Oscar-winning gem – it’s a travelogue that puts the region’s viticulture front and center. With five Oscar nominations and a win for Best Adapted Screenplay, the film immortalized local treasures like Solvang Restaurant, Los Olivos Cafe, and the Fess Parker Winery.

Such was the film's cultural impact that a 2022 study revealed how Sideways reshaped wine preferences worldwide – Pinot noir sales soared while Merlot fell out of favor, reflecting the protagonist's passionate preferences.

Embark on a one-hour drive northwest through breathtaking scenery to the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes, where Hollywood history meets natural wonder. When visionary filmmaker Cecil B. DeMille sought a location vast enough to evoke the grandeur of ancient Egypt for his biblical epic The Ten Commandments (1923), he found his perfect stage in Southern California’s dunes. Here, with a touch of movie magic, DeMille brought the Exodus to life, constructing colossal sets – some towering up to 110 feet – crafted by 1,600 workers.

In an extraordinary twist, the sands that once framed the film’s scenes eventually swallowed the set, creating a buried treasure trove of cinema history. In 2012, archaeologists unearthed the head of a prop sphinx, a remarkable relic of this ‘Lost City of Cecil B. DeMille.’ Today, cinephiles can visit the site to marvel at this hidden slice of Hollywood’s golden age.

Make your journey back to Santa Barbara’s city center to end your day. Nancy Meyers’s films never fail to feel like a comfort blanket on a cold day, and It’s Complicated (2009) is no different. Starring the incomparable Meryl Streep as a warm and witty bakery owner, the film follows her unexpected affair with her ex-husband, played by Alec Baldwin.

Santa Barbara’s picturesque streets and landmarks shine in supporting roles throughout the movie. Keep an eye out for appearances by the iconic Santa Barbara County Courthouse, the historic Paseo de la Guerra buildings, and the bustling farmer’s market. Ending your day in the heart of this cinematic city is like stepping into Nancy Meyers' movie: elegant and heartwarming.

VISIT SANTA BARBARA WITH BELMOND