- Top Attractions
- See & Do
- Eat & Drink
- Hotels
- Apartments
- Vacation Rentals
- Bed & Breakfasts
- Villas
Why Visit Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara's Spanish colonial roots are visible in its distinctive architecture. After the 1925 earthquake, the city rebuilt in a unified Spanish Colonial Revival style. Key sites like the Old Mission Santa Barbara and the County Courthouse showcase this aesthetic. The courthouse, an active court, even features a hidden Moorish fountain. This historical rebuilding is a core part of what is Santa Barbara famous for today.
The city is framed by the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific. Explore the Channel Islands National Park, often called the "Galapagos of North America". Hike to Lizard's Mouth for unique sandstone views or kayak the coastline. From December to April, witness gray whale migration. Goleta Butterfly Grove hosts thousands of migrating monarchs in winter, a truly spectacular sight.
Our local food scene is defined by the ocean and nearby farms. Savor fresh sea urchin (uni), a local delicacy from the Santa Barbara Channel. Explore the Funk Zone's Urban Wine Trail, housed in converted warehouses. The weekly farmers market offers direct access to the region's bounty, underpinning the city's commitment to farm-to-table dining.
- Santa BarbaraUnited States
- Santa BarbaraUnited States
- Santa BarbaraUnited States
- Santa BarbaraUnited States
Quick Travel Essentials
- Apr-Jun & Sep-Octmild, fewer crowds
- Jul-Augwarm, busy
- Wintercool, occasional rain
- #ComfortableShoes
- #Sunscreen
- #LightJacket
- #ReusableWaterBottle
- #BeachTowel
- 3-5 days for highlights
- 6-7 with beaches & day trips
- USD ($)
- English
- English is an official language here
- #SantaBarbaraMission
- #StearnsWharf
- #StateStreet
- #SantaBarbaraBotanicalGarden
- #FunkZone
- #ChannelIslandsNationalPark
- Sunset at Stearns Wharf
- Wine tasting in Funk Zone
- Surfing at East Beach
- Explore Santa Barbara Courthouse
- Visit the Santa Barbara Zoo
Recommended Hotels in Santa Barbara by Experience
Things to do in Santa Barbara
Discover
Discover Santa Barbara attractions from the iconic Old Mission and the historic Stearns Wharf to the native flora at the Botanic Garden. The city showcases Spanish Colonial Revival architecture and offers stunning Pacific coastline views.
Experience
Hike the trails of the Santa Ynez Mountains for ocean vistas or explore the Funk Zone's wine tasting rooms. Enjoy the weekly Farmers Market for local produce, or attend seasonal events like the Old Spanish Days Fiesta for cultural immersion.
Old Mission Santa Barbara
Historic Spanish mission known as the 'Queen of the Missions.'
Santa Barbara County Courthouse
Spanish Colonial Revival building with panoramic tower views.
Stearns Wharf
California's oldest working wooden wharf with shops and views.
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
Garden dedicated exclusively to California native plants.
State Street Promenade
Pedestrian-friendly thoroughfare for shopping and events.
Funk Zone Wine Walk
Urban trail connecting boutique wineries and tasting rooms.
East Beach
Popular sandy beach with volleyball courts and scenic views.
Before You Arrive
Getting There
Fly into Santa Barbara Airport (SBA), just 8 miles from downtown. A Santa Barbara shuttle bus or taxi provides a quick transfer from the Santa Barbara airport to city center. Alternatively, the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner offers a scenic train to Santa Barbara.
Getting Around
Downtown is highly walkable. For longer distances, use the MTD public transport in Santa Barbara, including the convenient electric Downtown-Waterfront Shuttle. A car rental in Santa Barbara is best for exploring Montecito or the Santa Ynez Valley wine country.
Local Essentials
When you plan a trip to Santa Barbara, account for weekend traffic on Highway 101. Driving in Santa Barbara's core is easier with public lots; many offer the first 75 minutes free. Nearly all establishments accept credit cards, so little cash is needed.
Where to Stay in Santa Barbara
Where to Eat and Drink
Celebrate
Explore Santa Barbara's local cuisine by tasting fresh sea urchin and savory tri-tip. Locals embrace a relaxed happy hour culture, enjoying craft beer or local wine before dinner. You must eat McConnell's ice cream to complete the day.
Enjoy
For dinner, The Lark offers a vibrant, communal feel, reserve ahead. The best bars in Santa Barbara include Sandbar for its bustling rooftop spot, order tacos. Taste coffee at Jeannine's Bakery & Cafe, a local brunch hub, expect crowds.
The Lark
Celebrated farm-to-table dining in the vibrant Funk Zone.
Brophy Bros
Fresh seafood with stunning views of the harbor.
La Super-Rica Taqueria
Iconic cash-only spot known for authentic tacos.
Olio E Limone Ristorante
Upscale Sicilian cuisine. Reservations are a must.
Zaytoon
Lebanese food on a beautiful, romantic patio with fire pits.
Events & Festivals
Celebrate
Explore Santa Barbara's heritage through Old Spanish Days Fiesta, a five-day event since 1924 with parades and markets celebrating the city's Spanish and Mexican history. Must-see Santa Barbara cultural activities also include Italian street painting.
Enjoy
Discover modern Santa Barbara attractions with a creative edge. The city thrives with a major international film festival and a vibrant Summer Solstice Celebration featuring imaginative floats and costumes.
Old Spanish Days Fiesta
August citywide festival with parades and Mexican markets.
Santa Barbara Film Festival
February event with 200+ international film screenings.
I Madonnari Street Painting Festival
Memorial Day weekend event with chalk art at the Old Mission.
Summer Solstice Celebration
June parade and festival with artistic floats and music.
Harbor & Seafood Festival
October festival celebrating the lobster season opening.
Parade of Lights
December holiday boat parade with a fireworks finale.
Santa Barbara Vintners Festival
Taste wines from over 50 local wineries in October.
A Truly Beautiful City
Santa Barbara is just a beautiful city with stunning Spanish-style architecture everywhere you look. It's so walkable, clean, and has a relaxed feel. We loved the views from the Old Mission. A perfect place to slow down and enjoy the California coast.
Perfect for a beach getaway
The beaches here are incredible for relaxing. We spent so much time just soaking up the sun. Butterfly Beach was particularly lovely and not too crowded. The whole area has a very laid-back quality, which was exactly what we needed for a vacation.
Great spot for food and wine
What a great place for food and wine lovers. The Funk Zone has so many tasting rooms and cool little eateries. We had some amazing local Pinot Noir. Everything felt fresh and creative without being pretentious. A very satisfying trip for the palate.
Lovely downtown for shopping
Santa Barbara has some excellent shopping, especially along State Street with its mix of boutiques and bigger stores. The downtown area is so pleasant to walk around with all the red-tiled roofs. Found some great unique things to bring back home.
Amazing Hikes and Views
The hiking opportunities are fantastic with rewarding views of the ocean and mountains. The trail up to Inspiration Point was totally worth the effort. It's great how you can be in nature one minute and then back in town for dinner the next.
Classic California Scenery
Such a scenic part of the California coast. The drive into the city is beautiful. We loved walking out on Stearns Wharf for the classic pier experience with views of the shoreline. The mountains meeting the sea is just a spectacular sight.