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Apr 15, 2024 · In the heart of downtown on bustling State Street, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art infuses some high culture into this laid-back Californian community. It is home to 25,000 works of art,...
- Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is open from 10 a.m. to 5...
- Ganna Walska Lotusland
The garden sits about 4 miles east of downtown Santa Barbara...
- Santa Barbara Museum of Art
In the heart of downtown on bustling State Street, the Santa...
- El Presidio de Santa Barbara
Located just two blocks east of State Street, the park is...
- State Street Promenade
1 of 3. 2 of 3. Photo by Karna Hughes, courtesy of Visit...
- Stearns Wharf
The wharf is located at the end of State Street and adjacent...
- Santa Barbara County Courthouse
The courthouse is only a block from bustling State Street,...
- Santa Barbara Zoo
Santa Barbara Zoo is ranked #4 out of 19 things to do in...
- Free
Santa Barbara is known for its chardonnay, pinot noir and...
- Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
- Admire Old Mission Santa Barbara
- Explore El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park
- Tour The Santa Barbara County Courthouse
- Take in The Views from The Clock Tower
- Do The Santa Barbara Red Tile Walking Tour
- Catch Some Rays at East Beach
- Stroll Stearns Wharf
- Go on A Guided Kayaking Excursion
- Visit The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
- Enjoy Funk Zone
One of the most photogenic of the California missions, Old Mission Santa Barbara was founded in 1786. It was the tenth mission built in Alta California by Franciscan friars. Old Mission Santa Barbara is one of the top Santa Barbara attractions, and deserves top billing on your itinerary for the city. There were three adobe churches at the site befo...
The Spanish Crown sent both soldiers and missionaries to expand their empire in Alta California. El Presidio de Santa Barbara is the last of four military outposts built by the Spanish, and one of the must-visit places to visit in Santa Barbara. The other three presidios are located in San Diego, San Francisco, and Monterey. Founded in 1782, the Sa...
One of the many beautiful historic landmarks in Santa Barbara, the Santa Barbara County Courthouse is an elegant Spanish Colonial building that was finished in 1929. It is a working courthouse. The beautiful white building is topped by a red-tiled roof, and surrounded by gorgeous grounds, with palm trees and other plantings. It has a sunken garden ...
You can climb up the steps (or take the elevator) to the viewing gallery of the Clock Tower at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse for spectacular views in every direction. From the Clock Tower viewing gallery, you can get a full appreciation of the red tiled roofs of the city. Taking in the 360-degree views on a nice weather day is one of the best...
The self-guided Red Tile Walking Tour in downtown Santa Barbara is a loop walk that takes you past many of the beautiful buildings in the city. If you do it early in the day, you can view the buildings in relative solitude, and get great photos. The tour starts (and ends) at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, and takes you past such icons as the ...
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. Water sports, beach volleyball, and sunbathing are popular East Beach activities. It is a great beach for walking as well: you wil...
Stearns Wharf is one of Santa Barbara’s most popular attractions, with shopping, dining, and fun activities for kids and adults alike. The historic wharf dates back to 1872, and is 2,300 feet long. For a fun narrated water taxi ride (kids will love this!), take Lil’ Toot from Stearns Wharf to Santa Barbara Harbor and back: rides are offered every a...
Getting out onto the water is one of the most enjoyable things to do in Santa Barbara! Guided kayaking excursionstypically explore Santa Barbara harbor, where you can enjoy views of the beautiful boats and look for marine life, including seals and sea lions, dolphins in the ocean, and sea birds. As you paddle the waters, you will have spectacular v...
The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is one of the most visit-worthy botanical gardens in California, with its focus on native plants. In the spring, the wildflower meadow is full of bright orange California poppies and many other varieties of wildflowers. The garden offers views out to the Channel Islands on one side and the Santa Ynez Mountains on th...
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 Mou...
- El Presidio de Santa Barbara. El Presidio de Santa Barbara is one of the most popular historical points of interest in Santa Barbara, California. Originally built in 1782 by Spaniards, this structure is a fortified military settlement that holds a lot of rich history and it’s fascinating to explore.
- Old Mission Santa Barbara. Old Mission Santa Barbara is an incredibly elegant and graceful attraction that was completed back in 1786. It is currently the only mission in all of California that continues to be lived in by Franciscans, making it one of the best places to visit in California.
- Santa Barbara Maritime Museum. The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum is a unique and fun must-see spot in this California region. It is dedicated to preserving the interesting and rich history of the Santa Barbara coast and does so through the use of a wide range of exhibits, artifacts, and even events.
- East Beach. Of the three major Beaches that you can find in Santa Barbara, the least crowded is probably the East Beach. Due to its location, it is much less likely to be packed like sardines when you go to catch some sun.
- Susan Quinlan Doll & Teddy Bear Museum & Library: The Largest Collection of Dolls in the US & Most Unique Activity in SB. Who would think one of the most unique things to do in Santa Barbara was to visit the United States’ largest collection of teddy bears and dolls?
- Santa Barbara Food Tour. I always say that a food tour is the best and most direct way to access the true pulse of a destination, its history, and its quirks, and the Santa Barbara food tour is no different.
- Visit Solvang Village: Cool Place to Visit Outside of SB, California. Here’s one of the unique things to do in SB which is perfect for a day trip: Solvang Village!
- Salt Cave: Unique Santa Barbara Retreat Along State Street. If you’re one to indulge in health rituals, this is one of the most cool places to visit in Santa Barbara, CA, for a luxurious experience.
- Visit the Mission. Founded in 1786, the stately Old Mission Santa Barbara sits on a 15-acre plot of green goodness between the ocean and the Santa Ynez mountains.
- Get funky in the Funk Zone. 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.
- Venture out to wine country. 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.
- Feed a giraffe at Santa Barbara Zoo. 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.
Feb 4, 2024 · Table of Contents. 1) Quench Your Curiosity At The Santa Barbara Museum Of Natural History. 2) Peer At Hand-Painted Murals At The Santa Barbara County Courthouse. 3) Bask In Tranquility In The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. 4) Celebrate Art & History At The Santa Barbara Museum Of Art. 5) Go Jet Skiing At The Santa Barbara Harbor.
