Santa Barbara Travel Guide

Santa Barbara is famous for its expensive hotels, large mansions and trendy boutiques, but it also has beautiful beaches and many museums and festivals dedicated to celebrating the city’s past.

Be sure to visit Santa Barbara’s picture-perfect beaches. Lie on the soft sand and read a book, or grab a board and hit the surf. Conditions are great for beginners, but on the right day there are some good breaks for those of all skill levels.

Marvel at the Franciscan–Spanish architecture of the old Santa Barbara Mission. You’ll find artifacts and documents from old missionaries, a still-operating chapel, and the mission’s impressive and well-kept grounds. For more old architecture, visit the adobe Rafael Gonzalez house or the Santa Barbara County Courthouse. Head up the bell tower for great views of the surrounding area. History buffs will also want to check out the Presidio of Santa Barbara, a Spanish fortress from the 1780s.

Learn how modern-day Santa Barbara came about as you wander through the exhibits at the city’s Historical Museum. For a look at the evolution of plant and wildlife in the area and beyond, spend some time at the Museum of Natural History.

Art lovers will enjoy the city’s excellent institutions. The Santa Barbara Museum of Art has an extensive collection of European, American and Asian art, and plays host to some world-class exhibitions. For a look at more recent works, wander over to the Contemporary Arts Forum. This gallery is artist-run and funded, and is dedicated to exhibiting the highest-quality work in the region.

To enjoy other local products, organize a tour of the region’s wineries.

Santa Barbara enjoys the sophisticated charm of a much larger city but maintains a quaint, friendly atmosphere. Throw in a fascinating history, loads of cultural activities and excellent beaches, and it’s not hard to see why it attracts visitors from around the world.

Like much of California, Santa Barbara has mild weather year round, with highs of around 75 F (24 C) in July and August, and around 65 F (18 C) in December and January. This temperate climate means it’s pleasant to visit throughout the year. Summer is the busiest and most expensive time, so you may prefer to visit in May or September; most of the rain in Santa Barbara falls between December and February.

Tuesdays, State Street Promenade

The Santa Barbara Certified Farmers' Market Association (SBCFMA) was established in 1983 as Non-Profit Mutual Benefit Corporation to provide California farmers with direct access to market their products to the local community. The initial farmers' market in Santa Barbara was held at the Santa Barbara Mission in 1979, which was among one of the first 20 farmers' markets in the State of California. Some of the original participants can still be found selling their produce at the Santa Barbara farmers' markets. Over the years, their Member owned and operated Association has grown to approximately 130 Members, participating in their 6 weekly certified farmers' markets throughout Santa Barbara, Goleta, Montecito, Carpinteria and Solvang. The SBCFMA is committed to the direct marketing principles of "producer to consumer", working diligently to bring the freshest and most nutritious produce our rich local agricultural land has to offer, direct to the public.

4:00pm - 7:30pm Summer

3:00pm - 6:30om Winter

SUMMER HOURS begin on the second Sunday of March (start of daylight savings time)

WINTER HOURS begin on the first Sunday of November (end of daylight savings time)

VISIT WEBSITE

Often regarded as one of the US’s best small zoos, the Santa Barbara Zoo is the ultimate family-friendly attraction in Santa Barbara. The zoo is located near the ocean and offers visitors a sneak peek into the lives of more than 500 fascinating wild creatures such as gorillas, otters, giant anteaters, lions, and more.

A tangle of trails weaves through the beautiful grounds of the Santa Barbara Zoo. Equal parts open green space and lush animal habitats, the zoo is teeming with conservation information and close-up views of creatures like elephants, lions, leopards, and giraffes. Check at the front to see the daily feeding schedule for the long-necked mammals.

Address: 500 Ninos Dr, Santa Barbara, CA

If you’re looking for fresh seafood, head to Stearns Wharf in the early morning hours to wait for the fishing boats to unload their catch. You can buy straight from the boats and take your fish home with you on ice—it’s cheaper, fresher, and way more fun. Although the pier (home to California’s oldest working wharf) offers wine tasting, a touch aquarium for kids, and lots of shopping and dining options, avoid it after mid-morning—it tends to become a bit of a tourist trap as the day goes on.

The late 18th-century Old Mission Santa Barbara gave the city more than just its name. You can see its lush courtyard, tiled roof, and shaded arches reflected in buildings all over Santa Barbara. But the mission is a beautiful, historical destination on its own, with a solemn cemetery, chapel, and an exhibition about its construction and life within its walls.

Santa Barbara County Courthouse is the one time you might want to spend a day in court. The Spanish-Moorish structure is striking from the inside, but step underneath its spacious archway, and you’ll find yourself inside one of the most beautiful government buildings in the country, period. Take the elevator or stairs to the top of the Seth Thomas Tower Clock for sweeping views of Santa Barbara—and make sure to stop by the historical, sublimely painted Mural Room on the second floor which depicts the story of Santa Barbara’s history.

Santa Barbara County Courthouse is one of the most beautiful Spanish Colonial Revival-style buildings. Designed by William Mooser III and completed in 1929 this gorgeous construction flaunts a four-faced clock tower, red tile roofs, and graceful arches, all surrounded by freshly mowed gardens.

When visiting the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, make sure to climb the El Mirador Tower, from where you’ll be treated to the most sweeping views of Santa Barbara.

Address: 1100 Anacapa St, Santa Barbara, CA

If you’re the type of person who finds peace in nature, the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden should be on your itinerary. This garden, which focuses on native California plants, is unlike any other. Even the Redwood Section, where redwood trees were planted beginning in 1930, looks as though the trees are organically growing there. Throughout the mile-long walkway, there are plenty of spots for visitors to sit and reflect.

Covering over 70 acres, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is a lush oasis home to over 5,000 species of native California plants. The garden is divided into 11 sessions, each one displaying plants from an array of habitats from across California, including deserts, meadows, and redwoods.

While walking through the garden, you’ll get the chance to spot plants and trees from the Mojave and the Sonoran deserts, rare California poppies, redwood trees, desert lavenders, and more.

Address: 1212 Mission Canyon Rd, Santa Barbara, CA

Art lovers will be happily surprised in Santa Barbara. Throughout the city, they’ll find a myriad of world-class museums and art galleries filled catering to every interest and curiosity.

A must-visit is the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, which frequently opens doors to world-class exhibitions, and it features a wide collection of 27,000 works of art. Here, expect to come across masterpieces by Claude Monet, and Henri Rousseau, among other artists.

The museum also harbors a plethora of century-old relics, including a 19th-century woman’s dragon robe with twelve imperial symbols, from China, and an ancient ritual apron from Tibet.

Address: 1130 State St, Santa Barbara, CA

Aside from waterfront attractions, Santa Barbara is also famous for its teeming shopping scene. State Street is one of the main streets in downtown Santa Barbara. The gracious palm-lined street makes for a delightful stroll any time of the day.

With lots of one-of-a-kind boutiques, art galleries, eateries, and tasting rooms, State Street offers excellent people watching. In case you’re in the mood for some retail therapy, head over to the city’s top shopping destinations: the El Paseo open-air mall and State Street.

This breezy mall is home to over 50 stores, including big-name retailers like Sephora, Bath & Body Works, Hollister, and Victoria’s Secret. This is the Arlington Theatre.

Address: 651 Paseo Nuevo, Santa Barbara, CA

Arroyo Burro Beach Park is the ultimate destination for a day outdoors. Located just ten minutes from downtown Santa Barbara, this 70-acre reserve is home to a beach surrounded by tall bluffs, as well as scenic trails offering stunning views of the ocean.

Here, popular activities include picnicking, bodyboarding, fishing, stand-up paddle boarding, surfing, and swimming.

Address: 2981 Cliff Dr, Santa Barbara, CA

Santa Barbara is one of the most popular destinations for whale watching in the United States. Late spring through early fall, go on a scenic cruise of the Santa Barbara Channel to get the chance to see humpback whales and blue whales aka the largest mammals on earth.

January through March is also a prime spot for whale watching in Santa Barbara. During these months, you’ll be able to spot the California gray whales traveling northward closely along the coast with their offspring.

The Santa Barbara Channel is home to myriad marine life, including several species of whales, dolphins, and sea birds. You can go whale watching in Santa Barbara year round.

Humpback fluking in the Pacific Ocean!

In the winter and early spring, you can see Pacific gray whales pass by on their migration. Come winter, they migrate from the Arctic Seas to the warm waters of Baja California. In the spring, they make the long journey back to their feeding grounds in the Arctic.

From late spring until early fall, you will likely see humpback whales or blue whales, and the occasional minke whale or fin whale. A variety of dolphins can also be spotted.

Shoreline Park is one of the top attractions in Santa Barbara for a fun-filled day with the family. Facing the Pacific, the park has paved walking paths and a grassy expanse that is perfect for a picnic with sweeping views of the Santa Barbara coastline, and the Santa Ynez Mountains.

Address: Shoreline Dr & Santa Rosa Place, Santa Barbara, CA

East Beach is one of Santa Barbara’s many sandy beaches. It is a broad swathe of sand that stretches east of Stearns Wharf, and the Cabrillo Boulevard biking and walking path runs alongside, fringed by super tall palms. East Beach is wide and sandy

Water sports, beach volleyball, and sunbathing are popular East Beach activities.

It is a great beach for walking as well: you will see birds at the waterline and beautiful sunrises if you are up early. At low tide, you can walk south all the way to Butterfly Beach in Montecito!

People watching on East Beach and along the adjacent Cabrillo Boulevard biking and walking path is one of the most fun things to do in Santa Barbara.

There’s plenty of street parking, and a paid parking lot as well. East Beach is very large, so it rarely feels crowded. There are restrooms and picnic tables.

To enjoy the hip side of Santa Barbara, head to the Funk Zone, the area between Highway 101 and the Pacific Ocean next to the Amtrak Station. The colorful district is known for its lively ambience.

You will find a plethora of wine tasting rooms, eateries, boutique shops, and art galleries in the walkable Funk Zone.

Enjoy craft brews at Figueroa Mountain Brewing Company, or hand-crafted spirits at Cutler’s Artisan Spirits, Santa Barbara’s first post-Prohibition distillery.

The Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail covers close to two dozen downtown Santa Barbara tasting rooms, many of them in the Funk Zone, within walking distance of one another. You can download a map here.

While eating and drinking are a must in the Funk Zone, allow for time to walk around and admire the many murals that add color and a unique vibe to the district. Many local artists have contributed.

For a complete list, visit:  https://www.funkzone.net/map-of-the-zone

MOXI, the Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation, is a must-visit in Santa Barbara.

Located in the Funk Zone, MOXI offers super fun interactive experiences for all ages, and exploring it is one of the best things to do in Santa Barbara with kids.

The three-floor museum features several themes, all related to science, technology, engineering, arts or math. In the Innovation Workshop, you can design and test your creations. In the Sound Studios, create sound effects for popular film clips.

Build a race car and race it on the Speed Track. Enjoy fabulous views over the city at the Sky Garden, where you can walk on the glass Sky Deck and view the city through different scopes.

Get information on hours and admission here.

If you want to walk through a rainbow and take some colorful photos for Instagram when you visit Santa Barbara, look no further than the Chromatic Gate, located at Arco Circle along Cabrillo Boulevard!

The rainbow-hued art installation is the work of Herbert Bayer, an Austrian and American artist and architect, who spent the final decade of his life at Montecito.

The gate is 21 feet tall and looks stunning on a clear bright day against a blue sky.

The Andrée Clark Bird Refuge is a must-visit if you enjoy birding.

The 42-acre park has a large lake, a modified estuary with brackish wetlands and marshes. There are three islands in the lake.

You may see American coots at the Andree Clark Bird Refuge

There are pathways along the north shore of the lake, with three viewing platforms from which to look for birds and wildlife. Bring binoculars or a zoom lens, to be able to see birds up close and get good photos.

Several dozen bird species have been spotted at the Refuge, including ducks and mallards, California gulls, black-crowned night herons, American coots, grebes, sparrows, teals, doves, woodpeckers, and hummingbirds.

You can also see turtles and other wildlife.

Outdoor enthusiasts have plenty of hiking trails in and around Santa Barbara from which to pick, from easy strolls to rigorous workouts. Here are some Santa Barbara hikes to consider. Note that some trails are also mountain biking trails.

A view from La Cumbre Peak

Inspiration Point offers magnificent views and can be reached via two trails. The shorter hike starts at Tunnel Trail along a paved access road and then climbs uphill through chaparral to the summit, which offers panoramic views of the city and the ocean, and the Channel Islands. The hike is 3.5 miles round trip, with 800 feet of elevation gain.

Lizard’s Mouth is just 0.25 mile one way, and leads to a viewpoint with spectacular views over the city. The namesake rock that looks like a lizard with its mouth open is towards the back of the outcropping. The viewpoint is a great place to watch the sun set.

La Cumbre Peak is a long day hike that leads to the highest point in Santa Barbara, at 3,995 feet above sea level. The peak can be accessed via Tunnel Trail, with views over the city en route and 360-degree views from the top. The total round trip is about ten miles.

Seven Falls is also accessed from Tunnel Trail and it is a short, moderately difficult hike with a great photo op at the end. Some rock hopping and sloshing are required to get to the falls. The total length is about 2.5 miles round trip.

Butterfly Beach, in Montecito Village, is one of the most beautiful beaches in the region and a must for your Santa Barbara itinerary. It is just a 10-minute drive from downtown Santa Barbara.

You can even bike to Butterfly Beach!

The sandy beach is perfect for sunbathing or strolling. Swimming, surfing, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding are other popular activities at Butterfly Beach. Look for whales and dolphins in the water, and birds at the waterline.

If you enjoy watching the sun set over the water, head to Butterfly Beach in the evening. Sunrises at the beach are also beautiful, if you are an early riser.

If you are a foodie, you will be spoiled for choice when it comes to fine eateries to try in Santa Barbara. We’ve visited several times now, and we still feel overwhelmed by the number of great restaurants in this city.

Here are some of our favorite places to eat in Santa Barbara:

Located in the Funk Zone, The Lark features a menu inspired by seasonal local ingredients, with lots of vegetable-forward choices. The menu changes often, but we think you will like whatever you choose. Try some of the craft cocktails too!

Loquita offers flavorful small plates, including classics like pan con tomate and patatas bravas, as well as paella (with a vegetarian option) and delicious desserts you will not be able to resist. Their cocktails are superb.

Paella Verduras PC: Loquita

For wonderful vegan and vegetarian choices, consider Mesa Verde. The Mediterranean-inspired menu features an array of colorful salads, sandwiches, and bowls. We love their Mediterranean bowl.

Toma Restaurant & Bar is a waterfront Italian restaurant with a menu inspired by local ingredients. We’ve had excellent pastas here, as well as flavorful seafood dishes. They also offer meat dishes and flatbreads.

Bouchon Santa Barbara offers French-inspired wine country cuisine, with ingredients sourced locally. The menu features a variety of meat and seafood mains. Their wine pairings are impressive.

Not only is Santa Barbara a fabulous destination in its own right, it is also close to some beautiful wine country towns and other natural areas.

Solvang, in the Santa Ynez Valley, offers a little bit of Denmark in America. While its giant windmills and Danish architecture will keep you snapping photos, Solvang is also a quality food and wine destination, with numerous tasting rooms in the walkable downtown.

The Santa Ynez Valley is a picturesque valley with six charming little towns to explore. Solvang is the largest, but you will love the Wild West feel of Los Alamos, the artisanal eateries in Los Olivos, the wine tasting in Santa Ynez and the other towns, and the cute little museums in the region.

The Santa Ynez Valley!

Channel Islands National Park is the definitive day trip destination from Santa Barbara for nature lovers. A trip offers spectacular views, the opportunity to see plenty of wildlife, marine life, and birds, and a chance to really get away from it all. Ferries leave from Ventura or Oxnard.