Santa Barbara, California, has it all! The beaches are exquisite, the weather is almost always inviting, the downtown is safe and clean, and the locals are friendly. Sure, most folks visit Santa Barbara for it’s stunning beaches, but this so-called American Riviera is good for so much more than just lounging out on a beach towel and catching some rays.
The abundance of natural wonders in Santa Barbara, coupled with it’s diverse attractions makes it one of the most sought-after travel destinations on the planet. The city is easily reachable from Los Angeles or San Francisco, and it serves as the seat of Santa Barbara County.
It’s a town that is blessed with a mild year-round Mediterranean-like climate. It’s nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains. Because of this, you can easily experience just about any sort of outdoor adventure that you’re into without needing to venture out too far. Besides participating in pastimes like hiking, kayaking, windsurfing, and beach volleyball, visitors can also explore Santa Barbara’s many museums and famous urban spots.
Santa Barbara’s restaurants are world-class, and it’s many hotels are equally charming. There are also countless historical landmarks to snap a few selfies in front of. If you’re looking to get pampered, Santa Barbara is home to dozens of spas, beauty boutiques, and salons.
It’s a town that has long been a haven for sun-seekers and seaside lovers. With it’s miles and miles of sandy coastline and emerald-blue waters, you’ll wish that you never had to leave. To make the most out of your Californian vacation, join Viewcation as we take a look at some of the best things to do in Santa Barbara.
Old Mission Santa Barbara
This late 18th-century Spanish-Mediterranean mission is actually what gave Santa Barbara it’s iconic name. Buildings and structures all throughout town have clearly modeled their look after the Old Mission’s lush courtyard, shaded arches, and tiled roof.
While the building is certainly beautiful to look at, it’s also quite historic. It features a solemn cemetery, a tranquil chapel, and an informative exhibit that tells the tale of it’s construction and rich cultural history. If you have the time, we highly recommend swinging on by to take a guided tour.
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
This fabulous museum is perfect for families traveling with children. It’s compact halls lend themselves quite well to younger visitors. From a child-sized cavern to a feature-rich outdoor playground, there are countless exhibits here that will keep your little ones enamored for hours.
Adults will also enjoy strolling around the museum’s beautifully manicured campus. It features Mission Revival architecture that sprawls along a forested creek. The Sea Center at Stearns Wharf is an all-ages attraction that features shark and sea anemone touch tanks. There is also a research center that gives guests a look at the biologically-rich seafloor.
The Four Seasons Resort – The Biltmore
Drawing clear inspiration from the Old Mission, this resort is a wondrous coastal property featuring that same variety of old-world Spanish-Mediterranean architecture. The Biltmore Four Seasons Resort was built in 1927 and showcases artisan craftsmanship featuring adobe walls and towering wood-beamed ceilings. It also features hand-crafted Mexican tiles and giant oak doors.
As you explore the resort, you’ll see numerous elegant archways, opulent staircases, looming towers, bubbling fountains, and inspiring loggias. The entire compound sprawls across 22 acres, and Bougainvillea-draped paths wind throughout it’s grounds.
As with all of Four Seasons resorts, guests are granted to a long list of luxury amenities such as a fitness center, a munificent spa, several lighted tennis courts, and a conference center. While all of those things are nice to have access to, you’ll likely spend the bulk of your stay lounging at the Coral Casino Beach and Cabana Club. Regardless of what you do, don’t miss out on enjoying the Biltmore’s phenomenal Sunday Brunch. It’s sure to be a meal that you’ll write home about.
Santa Barbara Harbor
This historic working harbor can be found along the Santa Barbara Waterfront. Here you will be treated to gorgeous seaside views, an out-of-this-world food scene, and countless adventures out on the water. Local favorite pastimes at the harbor include kayaking, scuba diving, sailing, and whale watching – but these activities are just a few of the exciting possibilities that await you here.
If you’re looking to relax, you can take a stroll through the harbor while viewing the freshly caught seafood brought in by the local fisherman and sea urchin harvesters. You can also explore the many shops offering items like souvenirs, crafts, and artwork. If you get hungry or thirsty, you can savor the mouth-wateringly delicious dishes and drinks served at the many restaurants and bars.
Throughout the year, there are numerous parades, festivals, and markets that are hosted at the Santa Barbara Harbor. Be sure to consult the schedule online before visiting to make sure you get the most out of your trip.
Santa Barbara Maritime Museum
This must-visit museum is located inside the former Naval Reserve Building at the Santa Barbara Harbor. It was established by a band of divers, sailors, and fishermen in 2000. Through various exhibits, both permanent and rotating, visitors will get to sail through more than 130 centuries of human history tied to the Santa Barbara Channel while strolling through the 8,000-square-foot museum. There are also three historic seafaring vessels that guests can explore to get a better idea of what life was like for fishermen and merchants hundreds of years ago.
The museum has dozens of hands-on exhibits, hundreds of priceless artifacts, and numerous other visual materials that tell the tale of the state’s maritime past. There is also an 88-seat theater where visitors can watch films, lectures, and other presentations. Consult the museum’s website for a complete list of upcoming events.
The Santa Barbara Zoo
Located up on a hilltop along Ninos Drive, the Santa Barbara Zoo is known for being the ‘Zoo with a view’. Not only is it one of the nation’s most beautiful zoological facilities, but it’s also home to more than 30 acres of botanical gardens that overlook the mountains and ocean. Here, visitors can see formal gardens, sprawling lawns, and hundreds of native plant species.
The zoo is home to more than 500 animals of various species, and it’s known for treating their resident creatures with dignity and respect. You can expect your visit to be both educational and fun. As you stroll through the zoo, you’ll spot many attractions, including interactive ones that allow you to do things like feeding giraffes, goats, and sheep. There are also several meet-and-greet events where guests can see some of their favorite animals up close and personal.
You can tour the zoo either on foot or by train. There is also a family-friendly children’s play area where the little ones can burn off some of that boundless energy that they seem to have.
Shoreline Park
If you’re looking for a much-needed reprieve from the daily hustle and bustle of city life, consider a visit to the oceanside Shoreline Park. This park spans 14.67 acres, and it’s bursting with beautiful views of the Californian coastline.
Families enjoy spending their downtime at this park as it’s home to a playground, a few picnic areas, and several large grassy areas. While exploring the park, you’ll come across a wooden stairway that leads to the beach down below.
Don’t forget to bring the binoculars, as the beach is a great spot to go whale watching.
Shoreline Park is located along Shoreline Drive at the corner of Santa Rosa Place – not far from Leadbetter beach.
Inspiration Point
Take a hike out to Inspiration Point for a one-of-a-kind and astonishing view that is sure to clear your cluttered mind. There are a couple of different ways to get to Inspiration Point – a gorgeous outlook that offers breathtaking views of Santa Barbara’s coastline with the the Channel Islands out in the distance.
The shorter route begins at Tunnel Trail and is about a three-and-a-half-mile roundtrip. It starts on a paved road for about a mile or so and then turns into a wooded trail that is a bit steep at points. The second option starts at Jesusita Trail. This route is steep in some parts and spans about 7 miles.
The Santa Barbara Museum of Art
Located on State Street, this museum was just recently completed after a substantial six-year renovation and expansion effort. It now features several new gallery spaces and various other public areas. Throughout the museum, you’ll find a pleasing mixture of rotating and permanent exhibits that are heavy on Southern Californian abstraction and impressionism. The museum also has a gift shop where you can find jewelry, toys, custom craft goods, books, and clothing items.
Santa Barbara Courthouse
A visit to the Santa Barbara Courthouse is sure to be one of the only times in your life that you’ll actually want to spend the day in court. The building’s Spanish-Moorish architecture is quite striking, but once you make your way inside, stepping through it’s giant archway, you’ll find yourself inside one of the most aesthetically pleasing government buildings in the nation. You can take an elevator or opt to get your steps in by using the stairs to get to the top of the Seth Thomas Tower Clock. Here, you’ll find sweeping panoramic views of the city. While visiting, be sure to also stop by the historic and sublime Mural Room on the courthouse’s second floor.
Lotusland
The gorgeous tropical and subtropical gardens found at Lotusland were built over a period of four decades by Polish opera singer and garden lover Ganna Walska. Walska passed away at the age of 96 in 1986, but now that her passion project has been completed, visitors are free to explore the multiculturally-themed gardens with guided tours that take them through everything from the prehistoric-inspired cycad garden to the silver-blue forest garden. Tours of Lotusland take about two hours, so make sure that you plan accordingly.
Trolley Tours
If you’re short on time but still want to see as much of Santa Barbara as possible, consider taking a 90-minute narrated trolley tour of the city. These tours, which are offered by the Santa Barbara Trolley Company, take passengers on a journey to see some of Santa Barbara’s most prized attractions. Tours are offered daily, and they disembark from the Visitor Center at 10am, noon, and 2pm.
This is one of the best ways to see the Courthouse, Santa Barbara Zoo, Old Mission Santa Barbara, Stearns Wharf, Museum of Natural History, and the Santa Barbara Harbor. You’ll also learn all about these locales’ history while seeing several other iconic attractions in the process.
With that, we’ll go ahead and wrap things up. But before we sign off, we’d love to hear what you have to say. Have you been to Santa Barbara, California, before? If so, what are a few of your favorite attractions? If you’ve never been, what are you most excited to see on your first visit? Let us know in the comments. And as always, thanks for watching, and happy travels!