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Apr 15, 2024 · Holly Johnson December 1, 2023. Ranking of the top 19 things to do in Santa Barbara. Travelers favorites include #1 East Beach, #2 Old Mission Santa Barbara and more.
- Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is open from 10 a.m. to 5...
- Ganna Walska Lotusland
More Best Things To Do in Santa Barbara. 1 of 18. 2 of 18....
- Santa Barbara Museum of Art
In the heart of downtown on bustling State Street, the Santa...
- El Presidio de Santa Barbara
El Presidio de Santa Barbara is ranked #8 out of 19 things...
- Stearns Wharf
More Best Things To Do in Santa Barbara. 1 of 18. 2 of 18....
- Santa Barbara County Courthouse
Santa Barbara County Courthouse is ranked #5 out of 19...
- Santa Barbara Zoo
Santa Barbara Zoo is ranked #4 out of 19 things to do in...
- Free
Often referred to as the "American Riviera," Santa Barbara...
- Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
Points of Interest & Landmarks. By 1967Laz. They have expanded from a tiny store at Five Points to a spacious store in Loretto Plaza. 10. Casa del Herrero. 181. Historic Sites. Casa del Herrero, Spanish for “House of the Blacksmith,” was designed by famed architect George Washington Smith and completed in 1925.
- Visit The Mission
- Get Funky in The Funk Zone
- Venture Out to Wine Country
- Feed A Giraffe at Santa Barbara Zoo
- Head to The Courthouse’S Clock Tower For The Best Views in Town
- Hit The Beach
- Stroll Down State Street
- Have A Drink at Joe’s Café
- Learn About The American Riviera’s History
- Eat McConnell’s Ice Cream
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Founded in 1786, the stately Old Mission Santa Barbarasits on a 15-acre plot of green goodness between the ocean and the Santa Ynez mountains. Its grounds include a long church, mausoleum, and cemetery. For Mission first-time visitors, its nine-room museum is a good starting place with models of the Mission’s original living quarters and precious a...
In the area near the Amtrak station – between the sea and Highway 101 – this was once one of Santa Barbara’s edgier sites. In the Funk Zone you'll find updated warehouses and graffiti-clad buildings housing some of the town’s best wine tasting rooms, boutique shops and restaurants. Dart is the spot for freshly-roasted coffee, Lark offers a fresh-fi...
Load your Santa Barbara itinerary up with some vino and you won’t regret it. Named Wine Enthusiast’s global Wine Region of the Year in 2021, there are more than 270 Santa Barbara County wineries producing prized Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, and more, each year. Experience it all with a wine tour to the Santa Ynez valley, or on a tasting room tour...
Tucked on the eastern edge of Santa Barbara and just north of the water’s edge, you’ll find a 30-acre zoo loaded with unique encounter opportunities. You can toss a fish to a Humboldt penguin, feed San Clemente Island goats and more. For the ultimate experience, book private encounters, which can run $200-plus and include Q&A sessions with the zoo’...
If someone told you: “The view from the courthouse was breathtaking,” you’d probably think it’s a joke, or wonder what crime they committed. From the top of the Clock Tower at Santa Barbara County Courthouse, the views are no joke and it’s a crime to miss out on them. The Clock Tower is open from 8am to 5pm on weekdays and 10am to 5pm on weekends. ...
The Santa Barbara Channel looms along the town’s southern edge and there are plenty of opportunities to explore it. For a beach day, opt for the central East and West beaches which have calmer waters. You can also walk (and drive!) on the adjacent Stearns Wharf. If you decide to take a dip outside of the June to August months, a wetsuit will help w...
State Street is Santa Barbara’s main artery, extending from the water northwest through downtown. Lined with shops, watering holes, restaurants, clubs and more, popular spots include the Paseo Nuevo open-air mall, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art and Dune Coffeefor a perfectly-timed espresso. If you’re planning a summer visit, make it around Santa B...
Where Cota and State Streets intersect, you’ll find a Santa Barbara icon. For nearly 100 years, Joe’s Caféhas been the local spot to schmooze, enjoy a very strong cocktail (two is just right, three could be too many...) and variety of big-plate steaks, seafood and pasta offerings. Adding to its charm, the decor includes photos of local personalitie...
Santa Barbara is loaded with museums, each digging into an aspect of what makes this town – and our world – so spectacular. The best museum bets include the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, which spotlights the area’s natural resources via hands-on activities. You can even learn to raise a boat sail here! Its location, overlooking the Santa Barbara H...
Perhaps you’ve spotted the white pints with a black lid and cursive McConnell’sat a grocery store near you? Well, the fine ice-cream purveyor got its start in Santa Barbara in 1949. Known for its regionally inspired flavors – like Eureka Lemon & Marionberries or Sea Salt Cream & Cookies – there are now two McConnell’s shops in Santa Barbara, both o...
Explore the American Riviera's rich history, culture and cuisine with this guide to the 14 best things to do in Santa Barbara. From Mission to Zoo, from wine to beaches, from Funk Zone to State Street, discover the sensory overload of this coastal California town.
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Discover the best activities, attractions and events in Santa Barbara, from beaches and parks to outdoor adventures and arts and culture. Explore the vibrant food and wine scene, the stunning vistas and the award-winning food & wine culture of this award-winning destination.
- Old Mission Santa Barbara. Old Mission Santa Barbara is the city's most iconic landmark. Called the "Queen of the Missions" for its graceful beauty and picturesque setting, this distinctive building shaped the look of the entire city.
- Stearns Wharf. Stearns Wharf offers breathtaking views of the harbor and beaches, backed by the Santa Ynez Mountains. This iconic Santa Barbara pier sits at the bottom of State Street, in the heart of the waterfront tourist area, and a stroll along here to snap some photos is one of the best free things to do in Santa Barbara.
- Climb the Clock Tower at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse. Completed in 1929, after an earthquake destroyed much of the city in 1925, the Santa Barbara County Courthouse is a National (and State) Historic Landmark and an architectural jewel.
- Bike, Skate, or Stroll along the Cabrillo Bike Path. Looking for a way to get fit and go sightseeing at the same time? Biking along the waterfront on the Cabrillo Bike Path is one of the top activities in Santa Barbara.
May 28, 2023 · Things to Do in Santa Barbara, California: See Tripadvisor's 151,626 traveler reviews and photos of Santa Barbara tourist attractions. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in April. We have reviews of the best places to see in Santa Barbara. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions.
To find things to do in Santa Barbara, take a look at suggested travel itineraries, which are packed with inspiration, local insight, and must-see and do experiences. Make note of which Santa Barbara neighborhoods you want to wander through during your next visit—there are many and each nook has something fresh and fun to offer.
