One of the most beautiful cities in the United States is Santa Barbara, on the California coast. The city is popular with tourists and as a retirement location due to the year-round comfortable climate. The area features wineries and enjoys excellent agricultural land; fresh fruit and vegetables are abundant.
Santa Barbara is only 95 miles from Los Angeles, but it’s got a relaxed vibe compared to LA.
While you’ll find a lot of tourists in both cities, Santa Barbara is less crowded and easy to get around on a bicycle or walking from downtown to the beach.
In this post I’m sharing 18 fun things to do in Santa Barbara, including day trips from Santa Barbara.
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1. Shoreline Park
Shoreline Park is a beautiful oceanside park close to downtown Santa Barbara and next to Leadbetter Beach. The park features palm trees, a large grassy area, and paved walking pathways.
With picnic tables and BBQ pits, this is a lovely place for a picnic. Kids can enjoy the playground, and everyone will enjoy beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean.
Dogs are allowed at Shoreline Park provided they are on leash at all times.
2. Leadbetter Beach
In between Shoreline Park and the harbor, you will find Leadbetter Beach, a popular beach for locals and tourists to Santa Barbara.
Leadbetter Beach is popular for windsurfing, kayaking, and paddleboarding.
There are outdoor showers and restrooms, along with BBQ pits and picnic tables. There is a group picnic site available for advance reservations.
No dogs allowed on Leadbetter Beach.
3. Stearns Wharf
If you walk down State Street from downtown, you will run into Stearns Wharf at the harbor. The pier was built in 1872 and is named after John P Stearns, who was a local lumberman.
Take photos at the dolphin fountain, buy souvenirs at the gift shops, and enjoy fishing from the pier.
Eat at Santa Barbara Shellfish Company for excellent seafood. There is probably a long lineup, but you should wait rather than go to the other, not so busy restaurants. It’s worth the wait.
Seagull looking for dinner at Stearns Wharf
4. Butterfly Beach
Rent a bike and ride the Cabrillo Bike Path for three miles from Stearns Wharf to Butterfly Beach in Montecito.
Or drive there via Channel Drive to Butterfly Beach Park, wonderful for watching the sunrise or sunset.
Enjoy surfing, kayaking, or paddleboarding at Butterfly Beach, or soak up the rays and relax by the ocean.
5. State Street
Stroll down State Street for the shopping, cafes, restaurants, unique boutiques, and beautiful architecture in the Spanish Colonial style.
The State Street Promenade is a 10-block pedestrian walkway in between Sola and Gutierrez Streets.
Some of the architectural highlights include the Granada Theatre, a performing arts venue, and the Santa Barbara County Courthouse.
On Tuesdays, shop the Farmers Market from 2:45 to 6:30 pm at the 600 and 700 blocks of State Street.
6. Santa Barbara County Courthouse
I wouldn’t normally suggest you go visit a courthouse, but the Santa Barbara Courthouse is definitely worth a visit.
Completed in 1929, the Spanish Colonial Revival-style building was designed by William Mooser III.
Take a self-guided tour of the courthouse and be sure to walk up the steps (or take the elevator) to the top of the courthouse watchtower for 360-degree views of Santa Barbara and bunches of red tile rooftops.
The architecture at the courthouse is beautiful; from hand-painted murals, tiles, and arches, you will find lots of photo ops.
7. Santa Barbara Public Market
You’re going to get hungry while exploring Santa Barbara, so be sure to check out the locally sourced food and drink offerings at the Santa Barbara Public Market.
This indoor food hall and beer garden is the perfect place to refuel and relax in downtown Santa Barbara.
Choose from Mexican, Italian, Japanese, vegetarian food with a Middle Eastern twist, noodle bowls, dumplings, and ice cream for dessert.
The Beer Garden has over 40 taps to choose from. Go quench your thirst.
38 W Victoria Street
8. Arroyo Burro Beach
Arroyo Burro Beach (also known as Hendrys Beach) is a wonderful Santa Barbara beach for watching the sunset and beachcombing.
The Arroyo Burro Beach is the best beach for sea glass around Santa Barbara. After any storm or winds with big waves, you will have a great chance at finding lots of beach glass.
Abundant beach glass finds at Hendry’s Beach
Walk the beach and watch the sunset or go eat at Boathouse at Hendry’s Beach with amazing food and oceanside views.
Arroyo Burro Beach – also known as Hendry’s Beach
9. Goleta Beach Park
Only 10 miles from Santa Barbara, about 15 minutes drive from downtown Santa Barbara, you can visit Goleta Beach Park for a relaxing day outdoors.
The park features a fishing pier, sandy beach, picnic tables and BBQ pits, and a playground for the kids. There is also a restaurant close to the pier.
Goleta Beach Park is close to Santa Barbara airport, so it’s a nice spot for one last picnic before leaving town.
If you are there during the winter season, you should also visit the monarch butterfly overwintering spot close to Goleta Beach Park.
10. Mission Santa Barbara
Established by Spanish Franciscans in 1786, the Old Mission Santa Barbara overlooks the city and the Pacific Ocean, with wonderful views of the Santa Ynez Mountains.
Explore the mission and the grounds during a self-guided tour:
9:30 am – 4 pm from Monday to Saturday
Sunday from 11 am – 4 pm
2201 Laguna St
Visit the Old Mission Santa Barbara
11. Our Lady of Sorrows Church
Built in 1929 and designated as a landmark in Santa Barbara in 2016, this beautiful church is in the downtown area, and it’s just a couple blocks from the Santa Barbara Courthouse.
Mass is performed daily, with Monday to Friday mass at 12:10 pm in English and weekend mass in English and in Spanish. Check the mass schedule for the latest updates.
Our Lady of Sorrows Church
12. Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
Over 1,000 species of rare and indigenous plants for you to explore along the trails, plus a beautiful teahouse in the gardens.
Explore local ecosystems, a wonderful redwood forest, and beautiful views of the mountains.
Bring your binoculars for some excellent birdwatching opportunities at the gardens.
Hours: 10 am – 10 pm daily
1212 Mission Canyon Rd
13. Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation
A joyful place for curious minds.
MOXI is a contemporary museum of science, technology, and the arts, with lots of interactive exhibits.
Kids of all ages love the hands-on exhibits for fun learning experiences.
Hours: 10 am – 5 pm from Daily (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day)
14. Museum of Natural History
Curious minds have two locations to choose from for land and sea exploration of natural history. Check out the Bird Hall, Mammal Hall, Blue Whale Skeleton, Prehistoric Forest, and Dinorama exhibit.
When it reopens (on September 18, 2024), you can reserve a seat for one of the 30-minute exhibits at the Planetarium to learn about comets, planets, constellations, and more.
Hours: 10 am – 4 pm from Wednesday to Sunday (both locations) Admission info and tickets
15. Carpinteria Day Trip
10 miles – about 15 minute drive
A perfect day trip from Santa Barbara is a coastal road trip to Carpinteria, a small town known for surfing and beautiful sunsets on the beach.
You’ll find lots of fun things to do in Carpinteria, including the Harbor Seal Rookery, an excellent farmers market, and beautiful beaches.
Carpinteria Bluffs with wonderful views of the California coastline
16. Solvang Wine Tour Day Trip
30 miles – about 45 minutes
Book a Solvang Wine Tasting Tour from Santa Barbara and enjoy the beauty of California wine country while sampling the local offerings.
Solvang is about a 45-minute drive from Santa Barbara, making it a lovely day trip to the California vineyards of Santa Ynez Valley.
Take a wine tasting tour in Solvang, only 30 miles from Santa Barbara
17. Malibu Day Trip
60 miles – about 1 hour drive
For a longer drive, enjoy a day trip from Santa Barbara along the Pacific Coast Highway to Malibu, where you can walk for miles on the beach or simply enjoy the scenic drive.
Go for a swim, take a surfing lesson, or just watch the waves. Malibu is a beautiful place to spend time outdoors.
READ MORE: 28 Epic Road Trip Destinations USA
Take a drive on the Pacific Coast Highway to beautiful Malibu
18. Hearst Castle Day Trip
135 miles – about 2 hour 15 minute drive
Hearst Castle is an excellent day trip from Santa Barbara. And you can also stop at Pismo Beach and Morro Bay on your way there or on the way back to Santa Barbara.
Hearst Castle, former home of William Randolph Hearst, was designed by architect Julia Morgan in the Mediterranean Revival style.
Various tours are offered, including group tours such as the Upstairs Rooms Tour. Guided private tours are also available.
Check Hearst Castle website for tour info.
Hearst Castle indoor swimming pool
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