20+ BEST things to do in Santa Barbara

Best things to do in Santa Barbara

One of my favorite drives is from L.A. to the coastal town of Santa Barbara, along the Pacific Highway. Santa Barbara was built in a mediterranean style after the 1925 earthquake, and its architecture and beaches look like something straight out of the European Riviera.

I love that Santa Barbara is so walkable, with downtown restaurants and shops along State Street, leading all the way to Stearns Wharf.  My other favorite commercial area is the super trendy Funk District near downtown, where old warehouses are now used for cool places to eat and shop.

The real highlight for me was visiting all the attractions from the Spanish and later Mexican occupation of Santa Barbara. These include the magnificent El Presidio fortress (1782), Santa Barbara Mission (1786), and two adobes known as Casa Covarrubias (1817), and Casa de la Guerra (1828). 

However, before visiting any of these attractions, I'd highly recommend a trip to the Santa Barbara Historical Museum to get an overview of the history, including a great exhibition on the 1925 earthquake.

For the best views, climb to the top of the tower at the stunning Santa Barbara Courthouse (1928). It's recognized as the most beautiful government building in America.

There's also an abundance of cultural attractions here, like the exceptional Santa Barbara Art Museum with works from Renoir, Monet and Matisse. Kids will love the MOXI museum with hands-on STEM exhibits, the aquarium on the wharf, and excellent Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History.

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Downtown Santa Barbara  

I always start my exploration of Santa Barbara along State Street in Downtown Santa Barbara. I think it's one of America's prettiest downtown areas, and was rebuilt after the earthquake in 1925 in an attractive, Spanish Colonial style. There's so much to admire here, including enchanting courtyards and lush landscaping. One of my favorite places is the open air Paseo Nuevo Mall, with dozens of restaurants, shops and a movie theater.

Funk Zone

I find the Funk Zone is so completely different from the rest of Santa Barbara. It's adjacent to downtown, but may as well be a different city. This former warehouse district is the coolest part of Santa Barbara, and has 10 blocks full of rustic warehouses converted to restaurants, cafes, wine tasting, galleries and boutiques. 

Santa Barbara Courthouse

I'm very impressed that Santa Barbara has the most beautiful government building in America, known as the Santa Barbara Courthouse. It was so much fun to walk to the top of the clock tower, and enjoy incredible views from the Observation Deck. I was awestruck by the stunning interior of the Courthouse, and especially the ornate Mural Room depicting Santa Barbara's history. It's almost hard to believe that this is a fully functioning Courthouse, because it looks more like a museum.

Santa Barbara Museum of Art

I was surprised by just how impressive the art collection is at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art in downtown. This is definitely one of the best things to do in Santa Barbara, and features works by Renoir, Dali and Monet. It took me about 4 hours to see everything! There are also rotating exhibitions, so check the website first.

Stearns Wharf

A visit to Santa Barbara isn't complete without walking along historic Stearns Wharf. I'm not alone, because 5 million people visit this wharf each year. Nothing beats the fresh ocean breezes, and the views for miles. I always enjoy treating myself to an ice-cream or some taffy, and there's also some waterfront restaurants with gorgeous views. It's also fun to sit in the wine tasting room out on the deck, and take it all in. Stearns Wharf is one of the most popular things to do in Santa Barbara!

Santa Barbara Sea Center

I was excited to visit the Santa Barbara Sea Center with a fabulous location on Stearns Wharf. The biggest attractions are the touchpools full of sea stars and stingrays, and the aquariums full of ethereal jellyfish. The most novel attraction is lowering a basket into the ocean to catch crabs.  

Lotusland

I had the opportunity to visit one of California's best botanic gardens at Lotusland, just a 5 minute drive from Santa Barbara. I was fascinated to learn that these beautiful gardens were created by an opera singer, who once owned the Le Theater des Champs Elysees in Paris. There are so many different types of gardens to explore here, ranging from formal to tropical and arid. 

Santa Barbara Historical Museum

One of the first things you should do when visiting Santa Barbara, is to stop by the Santa Barbara Historical Museum near downtown. It helped me understand a lot about Santa Barbara, including the Spanish and Mexican occupations, and the devastating 1925 earthquake that leveled 400 buildings. As an added bonus, I walked across the enchanting courtyard to explore a historic four room adobe, known as the Casa Covarrubias (1817).

El Presidio

The amazing El Presidio military fortress is in the heart of Santa Barbara, and was the last fortress constructed by the Spanish in Alta California. Some of the original buildings still stand today, including the El Canedo Adobe (1782) and El Cuartel Adobe (1782).

Casa de la Guerra

The u-shaped Casa de la Guerra is a beautiful Spanish home built in 1828 for a notable Santa Barbara family.

Moxi 

Take your kids to two floors of exhibits at the downtown children's museum, Moxi. There's loads of hands-on STEM, art and music activities, perfect for toddlers all the way up to age 12.

Santa Barbara Harbor

The Santa Barbara Harbor has a maritime museum, and a breathtaking path along the breakwater that protects the harbor.  There are also some restaurants, a cafe and a maritime museum near the breakwater.

Santa Barbara beaches

Santa Barbara has three city beaches. Stearns Wharf is flanked on either side by East Beach and West Beach, and East Beach has a fabulous shipwreck playground at Chase Palm Park. Leadbetter Beach is west of the Santa Barbara Harbor, where you can sink your feet in the sand while dining at the Shoreline Beach Cafe. 

Santa Barbara parks and gardens

Walk to the bluff at Shoreline Park for soaring views of Santa Barbara, or getaway from the crowds at picturesque Alice Keck Park.  

Drive to Mission Canyon to explore the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden focused on the preservation of native Californian plants, and walk up the Pritzlaff Conservation Center and savor panoramic views all the way to the Channel Islands.

Things to do in Santa Barbara with kids

Visit the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History with kids. They will love the outdoor play area, complete with a creek and mud play area.  Don't forget to bring a change of clothes for them.  Adults will enjoy the ten exhibit halls with dioramas of birds and mammals, gem and mineral specimens, and pre-historic fossils. 

Santa Barbara Mission

The Santa Barbara Mission was once part of the chain of 21 California Missions established by the Spanish.  It's known as the "Queen of the Missions" because of it's dramatic facade with double bell towers.  Tour the church, exhibit rooms and tranquil gardens of the Santa Barbara Mission.  

Best beaches near Santa Barbara

Just outside of town there are more things to do in Santa Barbara.  So where are the best beaches?  Hendrys Beach is popular with locals and has a bustling, beachside cafe.  Butterfly Beach is east of town and has a lovely garden setting in an affluent neighborhood, and is perfect for watching a Californian sunset. 

State Parks near Santa Barbara

Further West of Santa Barbara is El Capitan State Beach and Gaviota State Park, and both have campsites available.