If you’ve ever been, you know that there are tons of great things to do in Santa Barbara for first timers. I still remember the first time I set eyes on this gorgeous city, with its long stretches of white sand beaches, all the wine tasting rooms, and the many restaurants to enjoy. It’s one of my favorite cities for a weekend trip.
Have I made you curious yet? If this is going to be your first time visiting Santa Barbara, you’re going to want to dig into some of these great activities, to see why people love it so much, and to likely fall in love with it yourself.
» Looking for more info to build your Santa Barbara itinerary? Check out our full Santa Barbara travel guide, the best times to visit, and see the top 25 Things to Do in Santa Barbara. Get active with these SB hikes.
Our Recommended Santa Barbara Hotel
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Hotel Santa Barbara
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Top Things to Do in Santa Barbara
1. Santa Barbara Beaches
Santa Barbara is home to some beautiful beaches, which are perfect for swimming, sunbathing, surfing, and more. West Beach and East Beach are both great options, and you’ll find plenty of sand and surf to keep you busy. If you want to explore further out from downtown, head to Leadbetter Beach or Hammond’s Beach.
2. Downtown State Street
Downtown Santa Barbara is a great place to explore, with its many shops, restaurants, and historic buildings. State Street is the centerpoint. It runs down the center of town, starting at the beach, to the west of the Funk Zone and up to the Public Market. A large part of State Street is now shut off to traffic so you can enjoy it as a pedestrian-only walking street that has some really great window shopping.
3. Wine Tasting in the Funk Zone
Santa Barbara is home to some of the best wineries in California, so be sure to visit a few while you’re in town. You can find 20+ winery tasting rooms in the Funk Zone, like Riverbench (one of my personal favorites), Paradise Springs Winery, Margerum Wine Company, and so many others. One of the best ways to enjoy it is to just walk around, stopping wherever moves you.
You might like these 10 Best Santa Barbara Wine Tours to Book!
» Book a Santa Ynez Valley wine tour here.
4. Santa Barbara Public Market
The Santa Barbara Public Market is another great place to visit while in the city and my favorite place to eat lunch. This great local market has dozens of stalls selling everything from fresh produce to full lunches, and pastries or ice cream for dessert. You’ll also find a number of restaurants and food trucks here.
For lunch, I love the Thai- and Taiwanese-inspired noodle bowls and dumplings at Empty Bowl Noodle, or Mexican food from Corazon Cocina. For dessert, grab some ice cream from Rori’s Artisanal Creamery (some say it’s better than McConnell’s).
5. El Presidio de Santa Barbara
The El Presidio de Santa Barbara is a historic fort in the city of Santa Barbara. It was built in 1792, and it’s now open to the public as a museum. You can explore the fort’s many exhibits and learn about its history. The fort is also home to a number of historic buildings, including the Santa Barbara Mission.
» Try this walking tour of Santa Barbara History and Architecture.
6. Arlington Theater
The Arlington Theater is a popular historic Mission-style theater in Santa Barbara that showcasing first-run films, stand-up comedy & big-name bands. It was built in the 1920s. The theater is also home to the Santa Barbara Film Festival, an eleven-day film festival that takes place in February and has screenings of over 200 feature films and shorts. Be sure to check it out if you’re in town during that time.
7. Kayaking Tour
To fully enjoy the waterfront, you might want to try a kayak tour. It’s a great way to explore the marine life, spot seals and dolphins in the sapphire-blue waters, and see the landmarks of Santa Barbara Harbor. This 1.5- to 2.5-hour tour is led by an experienced kayak guide who points out natural features and customizes the speed of the ride according to your skill level.
» Try something a bit different with this Sea Lion Kayak Tour from Santa Barbara Harbor.
8. Museum of Art
The Museum of Art in Santa Barbara is a popular museum in the city. It was founded in 1941, and it’s now home to a wide variety of art exhibits. You can explore the museum’s many galleries and learn about the history of art. The museum is also home to a number of educational programs, including classes and workshops for both adults and children.
It’s open Tuesday to Sunday 11am – 5pm and 5pm-8pm for Free Thursdays. Advanced reservations are recommended so you can book a time slot. The price is $10 for adults and $6 for kids (unless you’re a member).
9. Santa Barbara Mission
The Santa Barbara Mission is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city, and for good reason. The mission was built in 1786, making it one of the oldest Spanish missions in California.
It’s now a museum, and you can explore its many exhibits and learn about the history of the mission and Santa Barbara. beautiful Mission Church, Historic Cemetery and Mausoleum, a nine-room museum of historical artwork and artifacts, and multiple lush gardens.
It’s open 9:30am – 4pm and you can do a self-guided tour whenever you arrive with no reservations necessary. The price is $15 for adults and $10 for kids, under 4 is free.
10. Paseo Nuevo Shopping Center
This vibrant shopping center is one of the most popular destinations in Santa Barbara, with dozens of stores and restaurants to choose from. Some of the most popular stores at Paseo Nuevo include Apple, H&M, and Zara, so be sure to check it out if you’re looking for some new clothes.
The shopping center is also home to a number of delicious restaurants, including Mexican, Italian, and Thai options.
11. Santa Barbara Zoological Gardens
If you’re looking for a fun place to spend a day, be sure to visit the Santa Barbara Zoo. This zoo is home to a wide variety of animals, including lions, tigers, elephants, and more. You can also visit the on-site aquarium, which is home to a wide variety of fish and marine animals. The zoo is a great place for both adults and children, so be sure to bring the whole family along.
The Zoo is open daily from 9:30 am to 5 pm, except when there is a special event. Reservations are required and tickets cost from $15 – $20.
12. Rent a bicycle to ride along the ocean
Instead of just hanging out on the beach, why not take a bike ride? You can rent all types of bikes at Wheel Fun Rentals. Check out their full selection of bikes and specialty cycles.
We also love going on a Santa Barbara bike tour. The typical tour can be done in the morning or afternoon, lasts about 2.5 hours, and takes you around to all the top sights and along the beach on a comfortable beach cruisers.
13. Botanic Gardens
The Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens are a popular tourist destination in the city. They were founded in 1926, and they’re now home to a wide variety of plants and gardens. You can explore the gardens and learn about the different types of plants that grow there. The gardens are also home to a number of educational programs, including classes and workshops for both adults and children.
The gardens are open 10am-5pm daily and tickets cost $18 for adults and $10 for kids. Reservations are required (unless you’re a member).
14. Santa Barbara Food Tour
One of my favorite things to do in any food city is a food tour. There’s a great food tour in Santa Barbara that will introduce you to some fun places to eat. Indulge your palate for a few hours with sipping, sampling, and savoring. You will enjoy food from 5-6+ local eateries, 1-2 wine tastings or 1 wine tasting plus another alcoholic beverage.
For more great food tours check out the Best Santa Barbara Food Tours 2023.
15. Hiking in Santa Barbara
There are some unique hikes in Santa Barbara. There’s several great trails in the area, and each has their own specific look to them that makes each hike different than the rest. There are mountain trails, trails along the coast, and waterfall trails.
For a trail to a waterfall, try the Seven Falls trail. It’s a moderate difficulty hike, and you should probably pack good hiking shoes if you’re planning on taking this trail. It’s 2.5 miles round trip, and at the end you get a view of the Seven Falls waterfall.
Another popular hike in the area is the hike to Inspiration Point. The great part about this one is that there are multiple ways to get there depending on the length of hike that you want. You can take San Roque road to the Jesusita Trail for about 8 miles round trip and it takes you by the ocean for some great views. The other way is to take Tunnel Road to Jesusita Trail for a 3.75 mile hike, but it doesn’t have the same views as the longer hike.
16. Fishing off Stearns Wharf
In the Santa Barbara harbor is Stearns Wharf, and it’s construction was completed in 1872. Nowadays there’s plenty of things to do, such as taking a Water Taxi, or getting some food on the dock.
But one of the cooler experiences on the wharf is to cast your line off the edge and try your hand at catching some fish while you’re there. If you head to Stearn’s Wharf Bait and Tackle, they’ll get you all set up with rental fishing poles and bait.
17. Whale Watching
If you’re looking to see some marine life on the waters outside Santa Barbara, whale watching is the adventure for you. The best times to visit for whale watching are late spring to early fall, when the waters are warmer are there will be whales passing through. You may also see dolphins in the water along with whales and possibly other sea life.
There are several companies you can use to go on whale watching tours, such as The Sunset Kidd yacht or Captain Jack Tours. But if boats aren’t your thing, there’s plenty of places along the coast that give you good vantage points. Many of the trails that hug the coastal bluffs will allow you to whale watch from land.
18. Santa Barbara Trolley Tour
The Santa Barbara Trolley Company has been providing tours of the city for over 30 years, and with a single ride you’ll see lots of the hot spots of Santa Barbara in one go. Each trolley seats about 32 people, and the tours last for about an hour and a half. There’s 3 tour times per day, so you have lots of opportunity to go.
Some of the stops are the Santa Barbara Harbor, Stearns Wharf, the zoo and bird sanctuary, and the Museum of Natural History. The tickets are 28$, can be purchased online, and can save you money at other places in town if you show your tickets!
» Book a 90 minute trolley tour here.
19. Dine Out
Santa Barbara is well known for its Mexican food. I recommend a burrito from Rudy’s Mexican Restaurant (pictured above).
Make a reservation for dinner at The Lark (131 Anacapa St.). It’s right next to the Funk Zone, so there’s not too much walking required. I am always impressed with the meal, as well as the atmosphere. It’s just something special.
If you can’t get in to The Lark, other options that I really like are Black Sheep (26 East Ortega Street). It’s just a block off State Street and has a really solid local menu, plus a veggie and non-veggie tasting menu.
After dinner, if you haven’t had enough sweets for the day, head over to McConnell’s Ice Cream to join the line waiting for a scoop of their locally made ice cream that everyone loves so much.
20. Santa Barbara Maritime Museum
To learn more about the city’s history and the history of the water that surrounds it, The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum is a great place. They have multiple on-going exhibits, as well as new exhibits and lectures always rotating into the museum.
If you’re interested in the sea, whales, boats, and the history of the waters of Santa Barbara this will be the perfect place for you. And it’s for a great price, tickets are only 8$ for adults.
21. Wine Tasting in Paseo
Santa Barbara has a serious wine culture. With many wineries, vineyards, and restaurants with great wine lists, if you’re a fan of wine you’re going to have a blast in Santa Barbara. Found in the Presidio Neighborhood is the El Paseo wine collective, a group of historic buildings with Spanish style courtyards and side streets that make a very relaxed energy and experience.
El Paseo is a group of six different tasting rooms, including Jamie Sloan Wines, Grassini, and Au Bon Climat, that are all within a small area, making it super easy to hop between the different rooms and get a good variety of wines. There’s also several other wineries in the area that you can also go to, and El Paseo can be a great place to start.
22. Casa de La Guerra
Located in the Presidio Neighborhood, this historical building was built by Jose de la Guerra between 1818 and 1828. Now the museum is dedicated to the La Guerra family and the architectural history of the building itself. During the Mexican period of Santa Barbara, Casa de La Guerra was the social, cultural, and political center of the city.
ln the museum you can learn about the history of the family, Jose de la Guerra’s enterprises and political undertakings, and many other things. Multiple rooms are dedicated to rotating exhibits of art and history.
23. McConnell’s Ice Cream
McConnell’s Ice Cream is a fine ice cream brand with their roots in Santa Barbara. They’re committed to using simple, high quality ingredients that make their ice cream super creamy and delicious.
The Old Dairy, the original dairy company that created McConnell’s Ice Cream, was one of the first 10 family-owned dairies in the area. Now you can enjoy their flavors at their shop, or get their ice cream delivered to you in certain areas. My favorite is the Salted Caramel Chip. It’s incredible.
24. Natural History Museum
The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History has lots of exhibits that showcases the regions natural history. Birds, insects, paleontology marine life, and mammals are the stars of some of the exhibits. You can also find information about the Native Americans of the area, and their culture and history.
This museum has rotating exhibits, so there’s always something new and exciting to see. There’s two locations in Santa Barbara, one for the Museum of Natural History and one for the sea center of the museum that looks more in depth on marine life in the area.
25. Electric Bike Tour
We also love going on a Santa Barbara bike tour. The typical tour can be done in the morning or afternoon, lasts about 2.5 hours, and takes you around to all the top sights and along the beach on a comfortable beach cruisers. They limit numbers to just 5, so it’s easy and fun.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SANTA BARBARA
Is parking a problem in Santa Barbara?
Parking isn’t terrible in downtown Santa Barbara, except on busy weekends. You can find street parking, if you look for it. There are also a ton of beach parking lots. On the street, you’ll pay from to 9am to 6pm every day, but it’s free after that.
Some spots are metered with limited time, some are free with limited time during the day. Most hotels will charge anywhere from $25 to $45 a night for parking.
What are some good wineries in Santa Barbara?
There are a ton of great winery tasting rooms in downtown Santa Barbara in the Funk Zone and Paseo Nuevo shopping center. Our favorites are Riverbench and Pali Wine Co in the Funk Zone; Happy Canyon and Jamie Slone in Paseo Nuevo.
Outside of Santa Barbara, we like to visit Solvang, Los Olivos, and the Foxen Canyon Wine trail for wine tasting, especially at E11even, Bien Nacito Winery, and SamSara in Los Olivos, and Zaca Mesa and Riverbench up in Foxen Canyon.
Is Santa Barbara worth the money?
Yes, Santa Barbara is a very expensive city, especially if you want to stay in 4- to 5-star hotels or right on the beach. Whether that expense is worth it to you is very subjective. I feel that Santa Barbara is definitely worth a visit, though you don’t necessarily need to stay in the expensive downtown hotels.
The town has a lovely setting along the California Coast with beautiful surrounding mountains. The architecture is California Spanish Revival and there is year-round foliage of natural plants, flowers, and cactus to enjoy. If you like wine tasting, some of the best central coast wineries are located nearby.
Travel Planning Guide
🚙💨 Where should I book my rental car?
Renting a car is one of the best ways to get around in California, no matter where you’re visiting. Public transportation can only get your so far, even in big cities. I always rent with Discover Cars, which checks the prices of all major rental car companies, so you get the best rates.
🛌 What’s the best way to book my accommodations?
For hotels and vacation rentals, Booking.com or Expedia.com are the best sites, but you can also book through TripAdvisor. If you’re considering renting a house instead, don’t forget to also check VRBO, which is often cheaper than Airbnb.
🧳 What do I pack for California?
Head to the our California Packing List or Disneyland Packing List to get all the info on packing.
✈️ What’s the best site to buy flights to California?
For finding cheap California flights from around the world, I recommend Skyscanner. I’ve also had pretty good luck with Kayak.com.
Conclusion
If you’re heading to Santa Barbara on a weekend getaway or even just have one day to spend, you can get around to many of these great activities. Build a fun and exciting itinerary for Santa Barbara that everyone in your group will love.
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Laura is a travel fanatic who loves seeing and doing new things. She lives in Ventura, CA, and spends a lot of time exploring California’s cities, beaches, and national parks.