20+ BEST things to do in Santa Barbara

Citybop has the coolest things to do in Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is a scenic drive 1.5 hours north of Los Angeles, along the Pacific Highway. This stunning, mediterranean-style town has beautiful beaches, great cultural attractions, and a wide selection of hotels and restaurants.  This compact town is easy to explore, and very walkable. Find the best things to do in Santa Barbara on citybop.

Downtown Santa Barbara  

Downtown Santa Barbara was completely rebuilt after the 1925 earthquake, in a charming Spanish-Colonial style. The main cluster of shops and restaurants is along State Street, with enchanting courtyards and lush landscaping. Explore the open air Paseo Nuevo Mall with 50 shops, restaurants, and a movie theater. 

Funk Zone

Don't miss the awesome Funk Zone near downtown Santa Barbara, with 10 blocks of former warehouses converted to an eclectic mix of restaurants, cafes, boutiques, wine tasting rooms, and art galleries. 

Santa Barbara Courthouse

Climb to the top of the Santa Barbara Courthouse and enjoy soaring views from the Observation Deck.  The interior of the Courthouse is exquisite, and has an ornate Mural Room depicting key events from Santa Barbara's history.  The Clock Gallery is also open for tours.

Santa Barbara Museum of Art

The Santa Barbara Museum of Art is also on State Street, with incredible works by Renoir, Monet and Dali, and rotating exhibitions.

Stearns Wharf

Walk out to historic Stearns Wharf for a waterfront restaurant meal or wine tasting, or treat yourself to icecream or candy.  This is one of the most popular things to do in Santa Barbara, attracting 5 million visitors each year.

Santa Barbara Sea Center

The Santa Barbara Sea Center has a fabulous location on Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara. There are two floors of fun experiences here, including touchpools with sea stars, a wet deck where visitors can lower a basket to catch crabs in the ocean, and an aquarium with jellyfish.

Lotusland

Visit one of California's best botanic gardens at Lotusland in Montecito, a short drive from Santa Barbara. These gorgeous 37-acre gardens were owned by a former opera singer, who at one time also owned the Le Theater des Champs Elysees in Paris.

Santa Barbara Historical Museum

The Santa Barbara Historical Museum is a short walk from downtown, and has an excellent exhibit on the devastating 1925 earthquake that destroyed 400 buildings in Santa Barbara. You can also walk across the enchanting courtyard to explore the historic four room 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.