Santa Barbara Things to Do

  Very typical Spanish mission style...
by SONG
 
  • Very typical Spanish mission style winery
      Very typical Spanish mission style...
    by SONG
  • Friends with me in winery courtyard
      Friends with me in winery courtyard
    by SONG
  • Notice the bells in the top
      Notice the bells in the top
    by SONG
  • old wine press on winery grounds
      old wine press on winery grounds
    by SONG
  • grape vine sculpture and wreath
      grape vine sculpture and wreath
    by SONG
 

Most Viewed Things to Do in Santa Barbara

1.

Stearns Wharf

Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara

 24 Reviews  We didn't get to go in here. Yet, hopefully next time we come down here we are going too. It sounds wonderful. It is a discovery place for adults and children to learn about your neighbors who live in... 

2.

State Street

State Street, Santa Barbara

 27 Reviews  State Street is the be all to end all for shopping! No matter where you turn, you're bound to find a great store that has fabulous clothes. Personally I love, Nordstrom (great chain!), Wendy Foster,... 

3.

Santa Barbara Mission

Santa Barbara Mission, Santa Barbara

 33 Reviews  The Mission is an absolute treat to see. The signature mark of Santa Barbara, it's the staple in every tourists plans. The rose garden across the street is a great place to picnic, play games or just... 

4.

Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch

Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch, Santa Barbara

 3 Reviews  Neverland Ranch is amazing. Regardless of how you feel about Michael Jackson, he is an absolute legend. His music has changed lives, and inspired many. Anyway, the ranch is positively beautiful and it... 

5.

Santa Barbara Courthouse

Santa Barbara Courthouse, Santa Barbara

 24 Reviews  Santa Barbara has one of the most architecturally significant old courthouses in the state. Although not nearly amongst the oldest surviving courthouse in the state, having been built completed in... 

6.

Santa Barbara Zoo

Santa Barbara Zoo, Santa Barbara

 9 Reviews  When going to the Santa Barbara zoo, I would definitely recommend riding the train or having lunch in the grass by the giraffes, or visiting the gorillas ( I LOVE gorillas!). A great place to bring... 

7.

Santa Barbara State Historic Park

Santa Barbara State Historic Park, Santa Barbara

 6 Reviews  Right in downtown Santa Barbara is El Presidio de Santa Barbara, the old Spanish fort of Santa Barbara, founded in 1782. It is one of the most intact of the Spanish- or Mexican-era forts in the state,... 

8.

Flora & Fauna

Flora & Fauna, Santa Barbara

 7 Reviews  Freezing from San Francisco to Los Angeles, we had in Santa Barbara the best contact with sub-tropical weather and flora. We didn't see any large garden or park, but most streets show luxurious... 

9.

Santa Barbara Museum of Art

Santa Barbara Museum of Art, Santa Barbara

 6 Reviews  I really enjoy visiting the Santa Barbara Museum of Art whenever I am in town. Beautiful in general, I have never not once not enjoy an exhibit. The last one I was able to visit was their tribute to... 

10.

Santa Barbara Botanical Garden

Santa Barbara Botanical Garden, Santa Barbara

 6 Reviews  The Botanical Gardens is a great excuse to escape the city and venture into the mountains. It's a wonderful to just walk through and see all the nature surrounding this beautiful town. The views are... 

11.

Alice Keck Memorial Gardens

Alice Keck Memorial Gardens, Santa Barbara

 3 Reviews  It's one of the best kept secrets of Santa Barbara. If you're not looking for it you won't find it. Located off the beaten path to most tourists, The gardens has a wonderful pond with great fish and... 

12.

Quicksilver Ranch

Quicksilver Ranch, Santa Barbara

 1 Review

13.

Santa Babara Maritime Museum

Santa Babara Maritime Museum, Santa Barbara

 Yaqui Says:  Located down in Santa Barbara's Harbor is the Maritime Museum. It was closed by the time we got to the harbor, but I am sure it is neat. I love places like... 

14.

Santa Babara Harbor

Santa Babara Harbor, Santa Barbara

 Yaqui Says:  There are a couple of restaurants here such as Brophy's Bros, Chucks Waterfront Grill and the Maritime Museum. Other than that it is mostly where the boats... 

15.

Cold Springs Canyon Arch Bridge ~Wells Fargo 30

Cold Springs Canyon Arch Bridge ~Wells Fargo 30, Santa Barbara

 Yaqui Says:  While on our little adventure from the tavern, we noticed these signs, so we followed one. It lead us to a spot where you can see the underbelly of the Cold... 

16.

Ojai Jail 1873

Ojai Jail 1873, Santa Barbara

 Yaqui Says:  Ojai jail was built by then Constable Andrew Van Curen in 1873. When the town replaced Van Curen, he wouldn't let them keep the wooden jail. So they replaced it... 

17.

Cold Spring Tavern 1868

Cold Spring Tavern 1868, Santa Barbara

 Yaqui Says:  The plaque reads: In 1868 this tavern was known as "Cold Springs Relay Station". It was the half way stop between "Mattel's Tavern" to the north, and Patrick... 

18.

Arts & Craft Show

Arts & Craft Show, Santa Barbara

 Yaqui Says:  Arts and Craft Show happen to be going on that day and we took a stroll looking and admiring what the local talent created of many wonderful paintings and... 

19.

Local Wineries

Local Wineries, Santa Barbara

 SONG Says:  There are numerous wineries nearby Santa Barbara. They are open to the public, with wine tasting opportunities at each one. In addition to the wine, the... 

20.

Land and Sea Tour

Land and Sea Tour, Santa Barbara

 cnango Says:  Take a tour on board the "Land Shark" amphibious vehicle. Designed specifically for the tourist industry it can drive on both land and sea and does. The 90... 

21.

Bike & Wine Tour

Bike & Wine Tour, Santa Barbara

 gripdxd Says:  A 3 hour Bike & Wine Tour with the Santa Barbara Wine Country Cycling Tours. They have more than one tour option but we did the 3 hour bike trail with a gourmet... 

22.

Beach at my scale

Beach at my scale, Santa Barbara

 solopes Says:  Santa Barbara was, for us, the most appealing beach in USA. A good stripe of sand, a calm sea, an organized and well maintained shore and lots of shops and... 

23.

to stay in santa barbara for wineries or not to?

to stay in santa barbara for wineries or not to?, Santa Barbara

 rkearns Says:  hi,well, it's true that paso has great wineries. doesn't the op want to be in santa barbara? paso is two hours north of santa barbara.i would do a search for... 

24.

Trikke Santa Barbara

Trikke Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara

 TrikkeSB Says:  Trikke Santa Barbara offers a great new way to see everything Santa Barbara has to offer from its beautiful beaches to its historical roots. Bring the family... 

25.

Moreton Bay Fig Tree

Moreton Bay Fig Tree, Santa Barbara

 ranger49 Says:  We crossed the road at the bottom of State sStreet to see the Amtrak Station but after a wander around with nostalgic memories of stations like this one in old... 

Top 3 Hotels in Santa Barbara

Four Seasons Biltmore

 1 Review and 356 Opinions  Wonderful stay at a luxurious hotel. Right across the way from the beach. Beautiful setting right... 

 Hotels in Santa Barbara

Inn Of The Spanish Garden

 1 Review and 377 Opinions  I haven't stayed here myself but think it's the best in downtown. It's off the main street "State... 

 Hotels in Santa Barbara

The Upham

 3 Reviews and 190 Opinions  We wanted to stay at the Upham, but they were full, so we got the very last room available at the... 

 Hotels in Santa Barbara

The Place

Reviews and photos of Santa Barbara attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Santa Barbara sightseeing.

Experience Santa Barbara
  Share your Travels  
 

The People

295 Members Live Here
 
Our Members Say
 profile photo

 I would not rate the beach very highly that runs right into State St. There is alot of seaweed and those flying gnats. The water is cold and the waves are lame.... 

295 members live in Santa Barbara

 

Questions and Answers

cali2012 profile photo

Q:  Hi there, Myself and some friends are travelling to California from London, UK for a bachelor party. We then plan to drive down... 

roberta2011 profile photo

A: Hey Cali, my last suggestions for Santa Barbara....all the university action is located out in Goleta which is a suburban part of Santa Barbara. In town itself, you... 

Read 3 Replies

postQuestion_button

Top Santa Barbara Writers

1

Santa Barbara

Yaqui profile photo

 Went on a road trip with my best friend and we stayed at her lovely sisters cottage. Where she lives is a hidden treasure. We didn't explore Santa Barbara as much because of those pesky time... 

2

Santa Barbara

Pounder73 profile photo

 The best 5 years of my life... and barely took any pictures of the place. Well, that is only partly true. I took lots of pictures, but in college, they were usually of people doing things one does in... 

3

SANTA BARBARA

travelgourmet profile photo

 Driving into Santa Barbara from Los Angeles, today, you see the Pacific Ocean with the Channel Islands on the left and the green hills of the Santa Ynez Mountains of the Los Padres National Forest on... 

4

At Home with Ernst: Santa Barbara

richiecdisc profile photo

 Santa Barbara is the quintessential Southern Californian town. Framed by the Santa Ynez Mountains and mighty Pacific, its setting could not be much prettier. Add to this some beautiful historic... 

5

Santa Barbara

keida84 profile photo

 Santa Barbara holds special meaning for me as it was the town where I met and married my husband, Paul. He was a professor at UCSB and a mutual friend of ours set us up on a blind date and the rest,... 

View all rated pages

View newest pages

Build your own Santa Barbara page